Chapter 9
I watch his face crumple from shock to panic, and let out a cold laugh.
“The baby? The baby’s fucking dead! Killed by your precious Ray right there!” “A week ago! When I was calling you, begging for help, and you hung up on me saying I was being dramatic. While you were playing doctor with her precious little cut. While you two were getting cozy!”
My words hit them like a physical blow. Marcus stumbles back like I’ve slapped him, his face drains white as he realizes what he’s done – from the kick he just gave me to every fucking thing before. He looks at Ray, desperate for her to save his ass
somehow.
Ray’s already falling apart. Her perfect manicure trembles against her silk blouse, knuckles going white. That golden tan can’t hide how sick she looks. Her whole
–
body starts shaking as it hits her – she’s not getting out of this one.
“No… that’s impossible,” she stammers, mascara–rimmed eyes darting between us.
“I checked the records at the nurses‘ station – you were admitted that day. The
baby must have been born already, it has to be here somewhere…”
“Even if you want a divorce and you’re scared Marcus will take custody, you can’t
do this,” her voice shakes. “He’s the father, you can’t be this selfish…”
Marcus latches onto her words like it’s a life raft. The guilt fades from his face as
he exhales.
“Where’s the baby then? Stop playing games. I’ll go see it right now. A week’s long enough for this drama.”
I watch his expression shift and laugh bitterly.
“You seriously trust her that much? I’m the kid’s real mom—you think I’d curse my own child to die?” I snap, my voice already tightening, sharp as a blade.
“The kid’s gone–gone! And that bitch next to you killed them!” My voice sinks heavier with every word, like I’m slamming each one into his skull. “While you two were off screwing around on your little coastal getaway, we’d already buried the kid a week ago–fucking done!”
“I already called the cops,” I’m practically yelling now, “didn’t you notice all the
extra
1/3
11:07AM Wed 5 Mar
5% 7
09
police at the hospital today when you dragged your ass back?”
What little color Ray had left drains away.
Before she can speak, Marcus jumps to defend her:
“What the hell are you talking about? Have you lost it? Ray was hurt, I was with her
the whole time. How could she possibly have hurt you?”
“Even if something happened to the baby, you can’t make wild accusations! Don’t use our child as an excuse for this insanity!”
His voice cuts through the air like a whip, all accusation and barely controlled rage. Ray jumps in, panic rising: “Exactly! I was with Marcus all day. The hospital room was the first time I saw you…”
The crowd around us is eating this up, phones recording everything, eyes darting
between us like it’s some sick reality show.
I can’t believe he’s still defending her after hearing about our dead baby. Looking
at him so determined to protect her, I think about our joke of a five–year marriage
and feel nothing but disgust.
Fuck this. I’m done arguing.
I grab Ray’s arm. “If you’re so innocent, let’s go talk to the police!”
My voice is cold as hell, slicing through this mess like a damn knife.
Ray finally starts to panic for real. She goes ghost–white, eyes desperately searching for Marcus’s protection.
“Marcus…” she whimpers.
He immediately steps between us, trying to block me.
Pure rage explodes through me: “Get the fuck out of my way! You didn’t care when she killed our baby, but now you’re protecting her? What kind of monster are you? If you love her so much, you can visit her in prison!”
It’s the first time I’ve ever talked to him like this. Ice cold, no backing down. His grip falters in shock, and I make my move. I grab Ray by her designer jacket and drag her stumbling across the floor. She’s putting on quite the show – clutching her stomach, moaning about her ear, practically swooning like some tragic heroine.
2/3
11:07 AM Wed 5 Mar
5%
09
Blood from her torn earlobe stains her pristine white collar, but I couldn’t care less. “Please,” she whimpers between her little dramatic gasps, trying to dig her heels
- in. “My ear’s bleeding so bad… just let me get it bandaged. What’s a few more minutes to you now?”
