The sharp crack echoed through the corridor. Cooper froze for a split second, then burst into wailing sobs.
A flash of shock crossed Ivan's face, but he immediately hardened his expression. "What do you think you're doing!"
"He's just a child! Why are you stooping to his level—putting your hands on him!"
I clutched the box to my chest and glared at Ivan, my eyes burning. "Ivan Vance, I hate you. I hate you!"
Each word dropped from my mouth like a stone. The taste of blood coated my tongue. He seemed stunned—never once had I, who'd always been obedient, spoken to him like this. His brow furrowed instantly. "Stella, you're being completely unreasonable."
With that, he pulled something from inside his jacket. "I'll trade you this for that worthless box. Happy now?"
It was an exquisite longevity lock pendant—a traditional charm meant to protect a child.
I'd mentioned it to him once, that I wanted to buy one for the baby. He'd only told me to focus on resting and stop worrying about nonsense.
"Isn't this what you've always wanted to give the baby? Here, take it—"
Before he could finish, Cooper cut in with a shriek. "Daddy, that's mine! You had it custom-made for me!"
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Ivan's face, but he composed himself quickly. "Daddy will pick out something even better for you later."
"No!! You can't give away Cooper's things!"
Cooper charged at me and shoved me with all his strength. I wasn't braced for it. My body slammed into the floor, and the box flew from my hands.
"Give it back!"
My pupils contracted to pinpoints. Helpless, I watched Cooper snatch the box and sprint to the end of the corridor. He hurled it into the garbage disposal chute with everything he had.
In that moment, something inside me snapped. I lunged after it—but Ivan seized me, his grip like iron around my arms.
"Enough! It's just a box! Were you going to hit Cooper? That piece of junk belongs in the trash! Now apologize to Cooper and Glenda!"
The commotion drew hospital staff. My attending physician rushed over.
Ivan spotted her and immediately latched onto a new weapon. "Your doctor's here. Are you really going to keep embarrassing yourself?"
"Stella, let me make this clear. I am never coming to another prenatal appointment with you."
"And that's not all. Once you deliver this baby, the child is mine. You will never see him again."
The doctor froze. The words left her mouth before she could stop them. "Prenatal appointments? But Ms. Abbott already had a miscarriage..."
