Chapter 14
I cried.
The baby was gone. No matter how many times I told myself it was for the better, the pain didn’t subside. It didn’t matter how I’d felt in the beginning–this had been my child.
Wesley sat beside me, his arms wrapped tightly around me, anchoring me as the sobs wracked through my body.
“It’s okay,” he murmured, his voice a steady balm. “We’ll get through this. Together.”
I pulled back slightly, wiping my tears away with trembling hands. “Maybe this is for the best,” I whispered, my voice fragile. “At least now Quentin can’t use him against me… maybe it’s better this way.”
1/12
Chapter 14
+ 5 Points
Wesley’s jaw tensed, his expression calm but resolute. He rested his hand lightly over mine. “You’re right,” he said, his tone measured. “But next time… it’ll be different.
I looked at him, puzzled.
Wesley’s lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile. “Next time, the baby will be ours.”
My chest tightened at his words. Amid the storm of pain, a single sliver of hope cut through.
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Next time.”
He leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to my forehead before standing. “Let me check on the discharge papers. Another doctor should come by soon to check on you. Just try to get some rest, okay?”
2/12
Chapter 14
+ 5 Points)
I nodded, watching him leave, his reassuring presence fading with each step.
The silence he left behind was suffocating. I stared at the ceiling, forcing back the flood of guilt and anger that threatened to pull me under.
The door creaked open. My heart sped up as I turned, expecting a nurse or doctor.
Instead, my entire world froze.
It was Quentin.
He wore a doctor’s coat, blending in so seamlessly with the hospital staff that I hadn’t recognized him until he stepped closer.
“What are you-” I started, panic rising as I
3/12
Chapter 14
+ 5 Points
reached for the call button.
But before I could press it, Quentin dropped to his knees.
“Please,” he said, his voice breaking, raw. “Iris, listen to me.”
I froze, my hand hovering over the button.
“I know it’s you,” he rasped, his eyes wide with desperation. “I’ve always known. You can call yourself Lyra, Iris–it doesn’t matter. I know it’s you.”
My chest burned with white–hot anger. “Get out, Quentin,” I hissed, my voice trembling. “I’m done with you.”
He shook his head violently, his hands twitching as they pressed together in front of him. “No. No, you don’t understand. I
4/12
Chapter 14
+ 5 Points
messed up–I know I did–but I love you. I’ve always loved you.”
A bitter laugh escaped me, sharp and hollow. “You have a sick way of showing it.”
“Iris, please,” he begged, his words cracked and uneven. “I regret everything. Losing you–it’s killing me. Just give me one more chance.”
I pushed myself to my feet, ignoring the searing ache in my body. I glared down at him, my voice cutting like a blade. “One more chance? After all you’ve done?”
“Iris,” he choked out, his voice shattering around my name. “I’ll change. I’ll do whatever it takes. Just… please come back to me.”
I shook my head slowly, my words cold and
5/12
14
5 Points
final. “It’s too late, Quentin. I hate you. Do you hear me? I. Hate. You.”
His face twisted in pain, but I pressed on.
“You destroyed my life. You tore apart my family. You killed my mother!” I screamed, my voice filling the room.
“I didn’t-”
“Don’t lie to me!” I barked. “I heard you, Quentin. I heard you tell your friend the truth. You admitted it. You killed her to save Delilah’s sister”
His face crumpled, his hands shaking as he reached for me. I jerked away.
“Iris, please,” he whispered, barely able to form the words. “I didn’t mean-”
6/12
Chapter 14
+ 5 Points
“Save it,” I snapped, my voice harsher than I’d ever heard it. “I don’t want your excuses. I’m going to find someone willing to testify, and I’ll make sure you rot in prison for the rest of your miserable life.”
His breath hitched, his hands balling into fists at his sides. “I can change. I can fix this. I swear-”
I cut him off, a bitter laugh escaping me. “You killed your own son, Quentin. Tell me- how do you plan to ‘fix‘ that?”
The color drained from his face, his lips parting in silent horror.
“What?” His voice was no more than a broken whisper.
“The baby,” I said, my tone ice–cold and unyielding. “The baby I just lost? He was
7/12
Chapter 14
+ 5 Points
yours.“‘
He stayed frozen on the ground, his head in his hands as the words sank in. When he finally lifted his head, his face was streaked with tears.
“Iris…” His voice cracked like shattered glass.
I turned away, refusing to let him see the storm inside me. But before I could move, he staggered to his feet and stepped toward
- me.
“Please,” he begged, his voice as fragile as ash. “I’ll do anything. Just come back to me. Leave Wesley–we can make this right.”
Before I could react, he reached for me, his arms attempting to pull me into an embrace.
“Don’t touch me!” I snarled, shoving him
8/12
Chapter 14
+5 Points)
back with every ounce of strength I had left. “You don’t deserve to touch me, Quentin. Not after everything.”
He stumbled backward, his hands raised in a weak plea. “I just… I didn’t know.”
I glared at him, anger pounding through my veins. “Stop lying to yourself, Quentin. You knew exactly what you were capable of. Now you’re just going to have to live with it.”
Before he could respond, the door to the room swung open, and Wesley strode in.
The moment Wesley’s eyes landed on Quentin, his expression hardened, his fury palpable. Without a word, he stormed across the room and threw a punch that landed squarely on Quentin’s jaw.
The sickening crack echoed in the air as
9/12
Chapter 14
+5 Points
Quentin stumbled back, blood spilling from his split lip.
“Get away from my wife,” Wesley growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Quentin barely had time to react before Wesley seized him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
“You think you can just walk in here and harass her?” Wesley snarled, his face just inches from Quentin‘. “This ends now.”
Quentin struggled weakly, his voice trembling. “This… this is between me and Iris!”
“No,” Wesley snapped, his grip tightening as his gaze burned with rage. “You don’t get to say her name ever again. She’s my wife. You’ve done enough damage.”
10/12
Chapter 14
+ 5 Points
Wesley lifted his phone and dialed. “I need the police at the hospital immediately,” he barked.
Quentin’s panic was instant, his struggles intensifying. “No, wait! Please-”
“Shut up,” Wesley spat, slamming him hard into the wall again.
Moments later, rushed footsteps echoed down the hallway, and two officers entered the room. Wesley stepped back, releasing Quentin into their custody.
“This man has been harassing my wife,” Wesley said sharply. “I want him charged.”
The officers moved swiftly, restraining Quentin as he continued to plead, his eyes locking onto mine one last time. But I had
11/12
Chapter 14
5 Points
nothing left to give him–no mercy, no forgiveness.
As they dragged him away, his tearful gaze begged for redemption.
But I didn’t look back.
12/12
