All Chapters of FORGIVE OR FURY: Chapter 11 - Chapter 13

Cecilia. It didn't feel right. Nothing did. My mind was a blank slate no memories of family, friends, a home. Just emptiness. And a faint, lingering ache low in my belly, like something missing."The baby," I whispered suddenly, a panic rising unbidden. "There was... a baby?"Ethan's face softened further, pain flickering in his eyes. "You had an emergency C-section. Your daughter... she's in the NICU. She's small, but she's a fighter. Just like her mom."A daughter. The words hit me like a wave, stirring something deep and protective. Tears spilled over before I could stop them. "Can I see her?""Soon," he promised, squeezing my hand. "Rest first. We'll get you strong enough."The nurse bustled out, leaving us alone. Ethan didn't let go of my hand. He just sat there, watching me with a quiet intensity that felt... protective. Safe."Who are you to me?" I asked weakly. "You look at me like... like you know me."He smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "We've known each other

He was cracking. She could see it..the way his shoulders sagged, the defeat in his posture. Grief made people pliable. Malleable. Hers."I miss her," he whispered suddenly, a gut-wrenching confession. "God help me, Isabel, I miss her so much it hurts to breathe."The words stung like acid on an open wound. Jealousy flared hot and vicious. Miss her? That weak, sniveling coward? The one rotting in the ground because I put her there?But Isabel didn't let it show. She let the tears flow freer, nodding sympathetically. "Of course you do. She was part of your life for years. Grieve her, Adrian. Cry. Scream. I'll be here when you're ready to heal. But don't let her take more from you than she already has. She left. She chose to leave us."He nodded slowly, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Yeah. Yeah, you're right."Inside, Isabel exulted. That's it. Break for me. Mold to me. She's dead. I'm alive. I'm carrying your future.The guard signaled time was up. Adrian stood, hesitating.