Twenty Springs
For our fifth wedding anniversary, my husband, Elliott Quinn, promises me a special gift.
But when the day arrives, I walk in on him tangled in bed with my best friend, Lauren Langley.
Hysterical, I confront him, but Elliott answers without a trace of shame.
"On our wedding night, you were fast asleep. Your dad was the one who put Lauren in my bed. We've kept it from you for five years, and Lauren has had to put up with it all this time."
Then he drops another bombshell. "And your last miscarriage wasn't an accident. Jack saw how heartbroken Lauren was, so he slipped abortion pills into your drink."
Shaking with rage, I scream, "Why?"
Elliott pulls Lauren behind him protectively and says offhandedly, "I got bored with you. Lauren is better than you in every way. She's gentle and considerate. Even Jack prefers her. She's put up with this for five years. You should count yourself lucky."
Lauren darts out from behind Elliott and grabs my hand, refusing to let go.
"Sienna, I'm not trying to take your place," she says anxiously. "You'll still be Mrs. Quinn. I'll just be part of the family too. Remember when you said you wanted us to stay together forever? Well, now you've got your wish."
With that, she reaches out to hug me.
Trembling violently, I shove her away.
The next second, a pair of small hands shoves me to the floor.
Searing pain tears through my abdomen, and blood won't stop pouring from between my legs.
I look up to see my son, Jack Quinn, glaring at me with pure hatred. "You're the most evil mommy in the whole world! Why don't you just die?"
In an instant, my vision blanks out, and my ears start ringing.
As the life inside me slips away, my heart turns completely cold.
I force my lips into a bitter smile.
If they all think Lauren is so much better, I'll just step back and let her have the family.