Chapter 2
I thought his love for me was real. Turns out, it was nothing but the mask of an executioner.
“Honey, I really don’t like the taste of milk. Can I please skip it?” I pleaded softly.
Garrett gave me a helpless smile, but his tone brooked no argument.
“Renee, don’t be difficult. The doctor said the foods you dislike most are the ones your body actually needs.”
He leaned closer, his words gentle yet firm.
“If you don’t sleep well, the baby won’t rest either. Didn’t you say you love our little one more than anything? Come on, for our baby’s sake, let me help you.”%
Before I could protest, he pressed the glass to my lips and coaxed me to drink, leaving me no room to refuse.”
Garrett, are you really that afraid my child will get in Tania’s way? Or is it just that, deep down, you only ever wanted her to bear your children??
Defeated, I closed my eyes and forced down every last drop.
Within half an hour, the effects of the drug kicked in. I curled up on the bed, wracked with pain, drenched in cold sweat.
Garrett barely hung up with the private doctor before the man stepped inside, clearly having waited just outside the door.”
Even though this was the seventh time, losing another child still felt like being ripped apart.”
Somewhere in the blur of agony, I heard the doctor’s voice:>>
“Mr. Morgan, the bleeding this time is far worse than before. I’m afraid Mrs. Morgan’s body has taken too much–she may never be able to have children again.”>
Garrett just held me, his eyes rimmed red.
“Renee, don’t worry. Even if we can’t have a child, I’ll always love you. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life.“%
a
The man who’d grown up with every comfort, who’d never lifted a finger for himself, now wiped the blood from my skin and held me close through the night, afraid I’d catch a chill after the miscarriage.
Late that night, Garrett muttered in his sleep,
“Tania, don’t be scared. I promise, I’ll make sure you find happiness.“)
Tears I’d held back for so long finally spilled over.
He’d once promised me happiness too, standing at our wedding altar. But that vow was just a lie to keep me from standing in Tania’s way.”
Only then did I realize–my entire marriage had been a cruel joke.
I texted my best friend, who was living abroad:
“You said you wanted me to join you on your trip around the world. I’ve made up my mind–I’ll come meet you in Alastair the day after tomorrow.“%
Setting my phone aside, the ache in my lower belly lingered, a brutal reminder of what I’d lost.”
The thought that my own child had been taken away by his father’s hand made it hard to breathe.
I locked myself in the bathroom, letting memories of Garrett and me wash over me as I wept in silence.
When I finally stood, my phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor. Bending to pick it up, I noticed something tucked beneath the sink–a bundle wrapped carefully in expensive satin, as if it were a precious treasure.
I unwrapped it and found a thick photo album.
Inside were pictures of Tania, from the age of fifteen to twenty–eight–every moment carefully preserved.}
I recognized the cover; I’d seen it before in Garrett’s office. Garrett, who’d always loved photography.
He might be Sampson’s uncle, but he was only a few years older than us. When we were kids, he used to watch Sampson and me run wild, always aloof and distant, never joining in our childish games.
It wasn’t until I was fifteen, when Tania asked to be friends, that I thought nothing of it and introduced her to Sampson and Garrett. She always seemed so lonely. That was when Garrett started spending time with us, and when he picked up photography.
I used to think he was just growing up, changing. But now I saw the truth: he’d met someone he truly cared about.
Most of the photos in the album were moments I’d never even noticed–snapshots only someone who loved her deeply would have taken.
