Kendra watched Daisie’s agony with a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

“See? Even your mother can’t stand the sight of you. She doesn’t want you here. She hates you, Daisie.”

Doctors and nurses rushed in, but despite their efforts, it was too late.

Her mother was gone.

Kendra gestured to the guards. “Take her away.”

“No! I’m not leaving! Mom! Mom!” Daisie shrieked.

Her nails raked the guards’ arms until blood streaked down, but they still dragged her off, shoving her back into the car and dumping her again in the dark, damp basement.

Suddenly, warm liquid soaked through her pants and the blanket beneath her.

What came next was a stabbing pain that ripped through her abdomen.

“No… No! The baby… My baby…”

She curled over, clutching her belly, her face drained of color.

At the door, Kendra froze as she noticed the spreading pool of blood beneath Daisie.

Questions flooded Kendra’s head. ‘Her baby? Daisie’s pregnant? She’s carrying Willard’s child?’

For a split second, panic flickered across her face. But then, it quickly hardened into resolve.

‘I won’t allow this baby to live!’ she swore.

“Help… Help me…”

Daisie reached out a trembling hand toward the small window. Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Kendra… Please… Call a doctor… The baby… Save my baby…”

Her voice broke. “I know I’m worthless… But please… Have mercy…”

Kendra stared at the growing pool of blood beneath her and let out a cold laugh.

“Save you? Keep dreaming.”

She slammed the window shut, cutting off Daisie’s desperate gaze and voice, then turned and ran away.

“No… Don’t go… Save my baby!”

Daisie cried with everything she had left, but the basement door was soundproof; no one outside could hear her.

The pain was unbearable; her mind drifted in and out.

Blood kept flowing, spreading across the cold floor.

She could feel it—the tiny life inside her slipping from her little by little.

Her vision dimmed, her body grew heavy, the darkness pulling her under.

Outside the basement, Willard had just returned from work.

He frowned, pausing mid-step. ‘Did I just hear something? A faint sound… coming from the basement?’

“What is it, Willard?”

Kendra walked over quickly, slipping her arm through his with a sweet smile. Her voice was soft and coaxing.

“Didn’t you promise to go with me to pick up the new season’s bags? There’s a limited edition that’ll sell out fast if we’re late.”