Claudine staggered to her feet, refusing to spare Maeve another breath. If Maeve wasn’t leaving, then she would.
But just as Claudine turned to go downstairs, Maeve suddenly darted in front of her, grabbed her hand and threw herself backward.
The two of them tumbled down the staircase together.
The memory of her miscarriage—the last time she’d fallen like this—flashed violently in Claudine’s mind.
“Maeve!” Elliot shouted.
“Elliot, it hurts—oh God, the baby!” Maeve cried out.
“I’m sorry. I never should’ve used that fetus for treatment. If you’re angry, take it out on me, Claudine. The baby doesn’t deserve this.”
Claudine’s head slammed hard against a step. Her vision blurred, ears ringing. The accusation echoed in her ears, but she was in too much pain to defend herself.
“You’ve gone too far,” Elliot growled, voice sharp as steel. “I never thought you could be this cruel. If anything happens to the baby Maeve’s carrying, I swear you’ll pay for it.”
His eyes were full of disgust, like he didn’t even recognize her anymore.
Maeve curled into Elliot’s arms like a wounded bird, tears slipping prettily down her cheeks. She looked fragile. Devastated.
Claudine didn’t care about any of that. She forced out a whisper, using the last of her strength. “Please… take me to the hospital…”
Her voice faded, her eyes fluttering shut.
“No one is to help her,” Elliot said coldly. “Let this be a lesson to her.”
Maeve. The way he’d cried out her name—it said everything. They didn’t even bother hiding it anymore.
As their figures faded from view, Claudine’s body finally gave out. Darkness swallowed her whole.
***
Claudine opened her eyes two days later in a hospital room.
“You’re finally awake. You’ve been out for a full forty-eight hours,” the nurse said, adjusting her bandages.
“Where’s your family? Dropping you off and then vanishing? What kind of family does that?” she muttered.
“I don’t have a family,” Claudine replied softly.
The nurse paused. The air turned heavy with silence.
“You had a high fever that wouldn’t break and the head trauma left you with a mild concussion. You need to rest. No emotional stress, alright?”
No sooner had the nurse stepped out than Elliot walked in.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he said flatly. “I know you’re grieving the baby, but you went too far. Maeve’s only a little shaken, thank God. You need to apologize to her. Consider this a wake-up call.”
His voice was cold, rigid.
Claudine had long stopped expecting compassion from Elliot, but that didn’t make his cruelty hurt any less.
She didn’t argue. Just gave a faint hum, eyes cast downward.
Something flickered in Elliot’s gaze—uncertainty, maybe even guilt.
The Claudine he knew would’ve snapped back, denied the blame, met him blow for blow. But now she just lay there, quiet and wrecked. And it rattled him.
“Tonight’s Maeve’s birthday,” he said, his tone softening. “I’ve already picked out a gift for you to bring. A car will be here to take you to the party.”
He turned to leave.
“Can I not go?” Claudine asked cautiously.
“No,” Elliot said without hesitation. “What happened last time was your fault. She’s your sister-in-law. It would be rude if you didn’t show up. Besides, this is a good chance to smooth things over between you two.”
Claudine forced a hollow smile.
She didn’t argue.
She picked up her phone and checked the notification from the airline.
Three more days.
Just three days until she could finally leave it all behind.
