Chapter 3
That night, while I was lying in bed, my husband came into the room.]
It had been months since he even looked at me, let alone touched me.[]
“Elspeth Carter…. I need to tell you something.”
“Just don’t freak out, okay?“]
I had a feeling I knew what he was going to say.
But even so, I needed to hear it with my own ears.[]
He fumbled with his words, eyes darting.
“We’ve… we’ve all decided.“[]
“We’re not gonna treat Sera’s illness.“]]
I froze.
My heart stopped.
I stared at him like he was a stranger.]
How could a father say something like that?]
I remembered the man I fell in love with–kind, gentle, full of empathy.]
Back in college, he’d stop traffic to rescue a stray dog or help someone carry groceries.[]
He made me feel like I was the only girl in the world.[]
When we started dating, he was the most thoughtful man I knew.[]
If I had cramps, he’d show up with heating pads and ginger tea.]]
If I worked late, he’d drive ten miles just to bring me my favorite food.]]
When I got pregnant, I worried he’d be disappointed if it wasn’t a boy.]
He promised me over and over–boy or girl, he’d love them just the same.]]
So did his parents.
But the second the ultrasound said “It’s a girl,“]]
He checked out.
Didn’t even look at our daughter when she was born.
Never once let her call him Dad.[]
Always distant, always cold.
I thought maybe deep down, something biological would kick in.]
Some kind of fatherly instinct.[]
But now, listening to his words, I knew that instinct never existed.[]
He didn’t even notice how shattered I was.
He just kept going, like he was talking about the weather:
“After Sera passes, we can try again.”
“Maybe next time it’ll be a boy, right?“]
I stared at the smug, self–satisfied grin on his face.
The memories came flooding back.
He said nothing when they dragged Sera into that operating room.]
193
at My GRAVE
Chapter 3
He was the first to sign off on her organ donation.]
And now he was the first to say–she doesn’t deserve to live.[]
My rage boiled over.]
I slapped him across the face, hard.
Thaddeus Miller, you’re a goddamn monster.“[]
He staggered back, stunned. Then his face twisted with anger.[]
“You crazy bitch! You’ve completely lost it!“]
“Whether you agree or not, Jethro isn’t getting tested.“[]
“And we’re not paying a damn cent!“]
He stormed out and slammed the door.
I sat there, shaking, the weight of grief and hate crushing my chest.]
All I could think now.. was how to get my daughter away from these people.[]
Ebrever.
