Chapter 6
449words
He threw me down onto the soft crib mattress, surrounded by stuffed animals and a pristine white bassinet.
Then he ripped my maternity dress open.
In this room meant for maternal love and innocence, he punished me in the most brutal, animalistic way possible.
"Didn't you threaten to kill them, Sophie? Well, I DEMAND they be born!"
"Once born, they'll serve Lily's son as slaves—forever beneath him, working for my true heir until they die!"
From downstairs came the crude drinking games and vulgar laughter of Lily's family, their cheap perfume drifting upward. Above me, Frederick's heavy breathing filled my ear. Two sounds, two smells—like dull knives sawing through my brain.
I stared blankly at the rotating moon mobile above, my body beyond pain.
In my heart, I whispered to my babies: Just a little longer, darlings. Mommy will get us out of this hell soon. Very soon.
When he finished, Frederick stared at my vacant expression, my complete detachment fueling his rage.
He grabbed his phone, dialed, and activated the speaker.
"Mr. Fisher! What can I do for you, sir?" came the warden's sycophantic voice.
"How's Kevin Sullivan doing lately?" Frederick asked, still breathless, his eyes locked on my face, watching for any reaction.
"Well, sir, he's had a bit of trouble. Got into a 'disagreement' with another inmate and took a nasty fall down some stairs. He's in critical care but…" The warden paused, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. "Doctors don't think he'll make it."
I felt nothing now. Just heard the crack of my own neck as I turned to face him. I burned his face into my memory, wanting to carry that image to show my father in the afterlife.
A flash of surprise crossed his face—this wasn't his plan—but it quickly transformed into cruel satisfaction.
This was what he wanted: to see me utterly destroyed.
Before I could process this devastating news, the villa's front door burst open.
Lily's parents and extended family swarmed in like locusts, pawing through my possessions and claiming bedrooms for themselves.
"Frederick, darling! My father says the feng shui in the Sullivan home will bring our family good fortune! We should move in right away to soak up the luck. After all, our Lily's boy is destined for greatness!"
The shrill, greedy voice of Lily's mother was the final straw.
My vision darkened as warm fluid gushed between my legs.
My water had broken.
Blood stained the pristine white crib sheets—like a poisonous flower blooming in hell.
