Chapter 14%
The baby was gone, and no matter how much I told myself it was for the better, it still hurt. It didn’t matter how I’d felt about the pregnancy at first–this had been my child.
Preston sat beside me, his arms wrapped around me, grounding me as the sobs wracked my body.
“It’s okay,” he whispered, his voice steady, soothing. “We’ll get through this.”
I pulled back, wiping my face with trembling hands. “Maybe this is better,” I said softly. “At least Travis won’t have anything to use against me anymore. Maybe it’s for the best ”
Preston’s jaw tightened, but he nodded, his hand resting gently on mine.8
“You’re right,” he said. “And next time, it will be different.”
I looked at him, confused.8
He gave me a small, sad smile. “Next time, the baby will be ours.”
My chest tightened, and I felt a flicker of hope amid the pain.!
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Next time.”
Preston kissed my forehead, then stood. “I’ll check on the discharge papers. Another doctor will be in soon to check on you. Just rest for now, okay??
I nodded, watching him leave the room.
The quiet felt heavier after he was gone. I stared at the ceiling, trying to keep the tears at bay, trying to push away the anger and guilt twisting inside me.
The door opened, and I glanced over, expecting another nurse or doctor.
But my heart stopped.
It was Travis.8
He wore a doctor’s coat blending in so perfectly I hadn’t realized it was him until he stopped closer
“What are you-“I started, panic rising as I reached for the call button.
But before I could press it, Travis dropped to his knees.
“Please,” he said, his voice breaking. “Zoe, listen to me.”
My hand froze.8
“I know it’s you,” he said, his eyes pleading. Tve always known. I don’t care what you call yourself–Emily, Zoe–it doesn’t matter. I know it’s you“!!
I stared at him, anger bubbling beneath the surface. “Get out, Travis. I’m done with you.”
He shook his head, his hands trembling. “No. I can’t. I messed up, I know that. But I love you. I’ve always loved you.”
1 laughed bitterly, the sound harsh in the quiet room. “You have a twisted way of showing it.”
“I mean it, Zoe,” he begged, “I regret everything. Losing you–it’s killing me. Please, just give me one more chance.”
I stood, ignoring the ache in my body as I glared down at him. “One more chance? Are you serious? After everything you’ve done?”
“Zoe,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I’ll change. Il do whatever it takes. Just come back to me.“1
I shook my head, my voice cold. “It’s too late, Travis. I hate you. Do you hear me? I hate you.”
He flinched, but I didn’t stop.8
“You ruined my life. You destroyed my family. You killed my mother” I said, almost screaming.
“I didn’t-“K
“Don’t lie to me!” I shouted. “I heard you, Travis. I heard you tell your friend everything. You admitted it. You killed her to save Madison’s sister.“”
Travis’s face crumpled, and he reached for me, but I stepped back
“Zoe, please,” he begged. I didn’t mean=”
“Save it,” I snapped. “I don’t need your excuses. I’m going to find someone who will testify, and I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your life rotting in prison“}
His hands clenched into fists, his desperation turning into panic. Tll change. I swear I’ll fix this
I stared at him. “You can’t fix this. Especially not after what you’ve done this time.
“What do you mean?” he repeated, confused.
I laughed bitterly. “Travis, you killed your own son.”
His face went pale, his mouth opening and closing like he couldn’t process the words.
“What?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
“The baby,” I said, my tone flat. “The baby I just lost. He was yours.”
Travis stayed frozen on the floor, his head in his hands, unable to process what I had just seld.
When he finally moved, his face was strepked with tears, his hands trembling. Zoe…”
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“The baby,” I said, my tone flat. “The baby I just lost. He was yours.”
Travis stayed frozen on the floor, his head in his hands, unable to process what I had just said.
When he finally moved, his face was streaked with tears, his hands trembling. “Zoe_”
I tumed away, refusing to let myself feel anything for him. But then he stood, moving toward me.8
“Please,” he begged, his voice cracking. “I can fix this. I’m sorry. Let me fix this. Come back to me and leave Preston.”
Before I could react, he reached out and tried to pull me into a hug.
“Don’t touch me!” I snapped, shoving him away with all the strength I had left. “You don’t get to do this, Travis. Not after everything.”
He stumbled back, his hands still raised as if trying to calm me. I just… I didn’t know,” he muttered
I glared at him, my chest heaving with anger. “You knew enough, Travis. You’ve always known what you were capable of. And now you have to live with the consequences.”
Before he could say another word, the door to the room swung open, and Preston walked in.”
The moment Preston saw Travis, his eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched. He didn’t ask questions. Without a word, Preston stormed across the room and punched Travis square in the face.
The sound of the impact echoed in the small space as Travis staggered back, clutching his jaw
“Get away from my wife,” Preston growled.
Travis stumbled, blood dripping from his lip, but Preston didn’t give him a chance to recover. He grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall,8
“You think you can just walk in here and harass her?” Preston hissed, his face inches from Travis.8
Travis struggled, his hands weakly gripping Preston’s arms. This… this is between me and Zoe,” he managed to say.!
“No,” Preston snapped, his grip tightening. “You don’t get to say her name anymore. She is my wife now! You’ve done enough damage. It ends here.
He pulled out his phone and called someone. “I need the police at the hospital now,” he said sharply.
Travis‘ eyes widened, and he started to struggle harder. “No, wolt Please-”
“Shut up,” Preston barked, shoving him back against the wall.
Within moments, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway. As the police entered the room, Preston stepped back, letting them take over!!
“This is harassment, Preston told the officers, “I want him charged.“!
The officers nodded, moving quickly to restrain Travis.
As they led him out of the room, Travis kept looking back at me, his lips trembling, his eyes begging for something I would never give
Forgiveness.
