"Tell you? Tell some penniless wretch like you, so you could use that belly to squeeze millions out of us? Beating it out of you during an 'episode' didn't cost a cent. Much simpler."
Fingers locked around my neck.
Cecil lifted me until my upper body dangled in the air.
I couldn't breathe. My vision went black at the edges.
"Your elders are speaking—who told you to open your mouth? Ruby's life is worth a hundred of yours. You're a breeding tool. Did you actually start thinking you were a real Delgado wife?"
I clawed at the back of his hand, legs kicking uselessly in the air.
Broken syllables scraped out of my throat.
"Your whole family are bloodsucking animals!"
The door swung open.
Ruby walked in wearing a hospital gown, cradling a bouquet of lilies.
Her eyes were faintly red, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"Cecil, please—don't hit her anymore. It's all my fault, my body being so weak. She lost eight babies because of me. She has every right to hate me."
Cecil's arm snapped forward.
I hit the cold tile floor.
A vicious cramping pain tore through my abdomen.
I curled into myself, arms wrapped around my stomach.
From the floor I watched the three of them standing together, warm and close, and swallowed the mouthful of blood rising in my throat.
Cecil draped his arm around Ruby's shoulders and drew a handkerchief from his pocket, dabbing the tears from the corners of her eyes.
His voice went gentle.
"Don't cry, Ruby. None of this is your fault. Her life's worth nothing—she couldn't even hold onto a pregnancy. This one, I'll make sure she carries it safe and sound. It'll be yours to play with."
Vivian chimed in on cue, patting Ruby's hand in hers.
"Exactly. Our Ruby is so kindhearted, coming all the way here to see her. And she doesn't know what's good for her. Once the baby's born, we take it straight away. She won't lay a finger on it."
I lay face-down on the floor, nails scraping across the tile.
Blood seeped through the gaps between my fingers, leaving dark red smears on the surface.
"Give me back my baby…"
Cecil turned his head and looked down at me.
Nothing in his eyes but disgust.
"Give it back to you? You think you deserve it? This baby is Ruby's the second it's born. You sit there and carry it like you're told—and if anything goes wrong, I'm coming for you."
Ruby walked over and crouched in front of me.
The scent of lilies laced with disinfectant hit my nostrils.