Dominic wrenched the pendant free. The momentum sent me crashing to the ground. A stabbing pain lanced through my lower abdomen.
He moved to help me up, a flicker of concern crossing his face—but Clementine caught his hand.
Dominic handed the pendant to her. The moment she took it, her fingers opened.
I watched the pendant fall, and a scream tore from my throat.
"No—"
But it shattered against the ground, splitting cleanly in two.
I crawled toward it, broken, gathering the pieces into my hands.
Dominic scooped Clementine into his arms, pressing his hand over the bleeding wound on her calf, and hurried away.
Just before they disappeared around the corner, he glanced back and said softly:
"Mildred, wait here for me. Once I get her to the hospital, I'll come back for you."
I tried desperately to piece the pendant back together, but no matter what I did, it wouldn't be whole again.
The sky opened up, and rain began to fall.
I sat slumped on the ground, sobbing.
At some point, an umbrella appeared over my head.
I looked up, crying so hard I could barely breathe.
"Uncle Raymond Fox, Mom's going to blame me. She's definitely going to blame me."
He simply took off his jacket and wrapped it around me, patting my back gently.
"No, she won't. She loved you so much. She would never blame you."
I buried my face against his chest, looking up at him pleadingly.
"There has to be a way to fix it, right?"
Uncle Raymond guided me into the car and drove straight to the airport.
I clutched the broken pendant, my heart gone completely cold, and sent Dominic a message.
"Dominic, I want a divorce."
The Restaurant Ownern I sent him a photo of the abortion record.
"Your lies killed your own child."
Once that was done, I snapped my SIM card in half and tossed it out the window.
At that same moment, Dominic had just dropped Clementine off at the hospital when an inexplicable unease gripped him.
He fumbled for his phone and opened it—just in time to see my messages.
