She flinched at my scathing tone, and I didn’t care. She deserved far worse for what she had done.

Everly began to cry. “I only did what I thought was best for me. Best for my baby—”

“At what cost?!”

As soon as the scream was out, the baby started squawking alongside me. Fuck, could this get any worse?

What a stupid notion. Of course it could.

Macho Man Barry chose that moment to stampede into the room like the perfect father protecting his family. Except he proceeded to shove me up against the wall with all manner of threats leaving his mouth.

I let him. I didn’t have the energy anyway.

Everly jolted out of bed, pulling on his shoulder, begging him to let go. I didn’t know why she bothered. What was the point?

As soon as he released me, I slumped down the wall, my ass hitting the ground with a thud.

“You destroyed my life, Everly,” I muttered, all monotone and dead. I didn’t feel a thing. “You’ve destroyed multiple lives… all for your own selfishness.”

She was practically hysterical by that point, sputtering “sorry” over and over. As if that would make up for her deplorable actions.

In that moment all I wanted—needed—was to make her feel as miniscule and tiny as I felt. I didn’t care that she had just given birth less than twenty-four hours before. I didn’t care that a newborn baby cried out for its poisonous mother. I just didn’t care.

“I feel sorry for your child,” I said. “Stuck with a cruel mother to be raised in a house full of lies and manipulation. Your daughter deserves better than you. She deserves better than both of you. I hope you never find happiness, Everly. I truly wish that upon you… And I’m going to make sure I try my damned hardest to make sure that wish comes true.”

I saw it coming, but didn’t do anything to prevent it. Barry’s solid fist launched towards my face and made direct contact. That pain was nothing compared to what was happening inside my chest.

I had lost everything. First, my wife, and now my unborn child, who wasn’t even mine to begin with.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t fucking breathe.

I barely processed a team of medical staff surrounding me, sporting concerned expressions before everything went black.

What was the point?

Shatter.

Chapter 13

OWEN

Over four years later…

I walked the familiar hospital corridors, aiming for my office when a toddler barrelled around the corner at high speed, directly hitting my legs.

“Sorry,” the young fella rushed. He was distracted, constantly peeping over his shoulder as if someone was chasing him. There was no one nearby that I could determine.

I crouched in front of him, and as I reached his level, I was immediately arrested by his vibrant grey eyes—which were crinkled in amusement.