The words hit like a slap.
"No," Raina said instantly. "You're not serious."
"I said get rid of it," Zayn repeated. "I'm not having a child with you."
Celene folded her arms. "What makes you think your child even belongs in this family? You're nothing but a burden. A mistake."
"It's your grandchild!" Raina shouted. "What is wrong with you people?!"
"It's not my grandchild," Celene snapped. "It's your problem."
She turned to Zayn. "Say something!"
"I already did," he said. "I don't want it. End of discussion."
Raina's heart was racing. "I'm not getting rid of it."
"You are," Zayn said.
"I'm not!"
Celene laughed. "Do you really think you have a choice?"
Raina shook her head. "You can't force me—"
Zayn stepped forward. "You wanna live in this house? Eat my food? Sleep under my roof?" he said. "Then you'll do as I say."
Her hands shook. "This is insane…"
"You think this baby will fix anything?" he scoffed. "You think I'll love you again? Please. You were just decoration. That's it. Now you're just… in the way."
Tears streamed down her face. "Zayn… please."
"Don't beg," he said coldly. "I hate it when you beg."
She stood there, heart breaking all over again.
She wanted just one kind word. Just one soft look. But no.
Zayn looked her dead in the eye.
"Get rid of it. Or I will."
Then they both left the room.
Raina fell to the floor.
Sobbing. Shaking.
They wanted to take away the only thing in her life that made her feel hope. The only thing that felt pure.
For years she had taken the insults, the slaps, the humiliation. But this?
This she wouldn't accept.
She cradled her stomach with both arms and whispered, "I won't let them take you."
She curled into a ball on the cold tiled floor. She didn't even try to move. The cold felt better than anything else in that moment.
She cried herself to sleep.
She groaned the next morning, covering her eyes.
Why was the light so bright?
Her arms didn't move.
She tugged again.
What the hell?
She opened her eyes slowly, blinking through the pain in her head.
She was lying on a bed. Strapped down.
White ceiling. Harsh lights.
Her wrists and ankles were tied.
"What the fuck…" she whispered.
"Save your energy," a cold voice said.
She turned her head.
It was Celene, sitting calmly in the corner of the hospital room.
"Where… where am I?"
"The nurses will be here soon to release you," Celene said.
"What's going on? What did you do?!" Raina pulled at the straps again. "Why am I tied up?!"
Celene stood and walked over to the small table near the bed.
On it were metal instruments. Scissors. Bloody cotton wool. Gauze.
All stained red.
Raina's heart stopped.
"Celene…"
Celene smiled. "My son and I know you're not very smart, Raina. We knew you wouldn't take our advice. So we… helped you."
"What are you talking about?" Raina whispered.
"You're no longer pregnant."
The words hit harder than anything Zayn ever said.
"No… no, no, no—"
"I'm not lying, sweetheart," Celene said calmly. "We did what was best."
Raina's voice cracked. "You're lying. YOU'RE LYING!"
The nurses came in and started undoing the straps.
"Careful, ma'am," one said. "The sedatives haven't worn off yet."
Raina pushed them away, stumbling off the bed.
She staggered across the room, got in Celene's face.
"Tell me you're lying!"
"I don't tell lies," Celene said. "This was for your own good."
Raina stared at her. A monster. That's what she was.
"I could never let you bear a child for my son," Celene said with a shrug.
"THEN WHY DID YOU LET HIM MARRY ME?!" Raina screamed.
Celene didn't even flinch. "Because he insisted. He needed a pretty face beside him. And you were… the easiest option."
Raina let out a cry and swiped everything off the table. Metal tools clattered to the floor. She didn't care.
"FUCK YOU CELE—"
"A car is waiting outside," Celene interrupted calmly. "Take it home whenever you're ready."
She walked out of the room with the same cold smile.
Raina stood in the middle of the room, breathing hard.
"FUCK YOU!!!" she screamed.
Raina stared out the window of the car.
Her eyes were dry now. She had no more tears left.
Her whole body ached.
Her stomach felt… hollow.
"Mrs. Lu, we're here," the driver said.
She didn't respond. Just opened the door and stepped out.
Her legs were weak.
Zayn wouldn't be home till evening. That gave her a few hours. She needed rest. She needed strength.
She walked slowly up the stairs.
But then she heard something.
Not talking.
Moaning.
She froze.
Her heart started pounding again.
No. She ran as fast as she could to the bedroom.
She opened the bedroom door—
And what she saw made her stomach twist.
Zayn. Naked.
Kiara. Naked.
On their bed.
Moaning. Moving. Lost in each other.
Raina couldn't breathe.
Her knees gave out and she fell to the floor unconscious.