Lily's Despair Deepens

Lily Anderson lay restrained under Ethan Blackwood's hold, no longer struggling. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, blurring her vision.

"He's our son… He can't be gone. He just can't…" Lily sobbed, repeating the exact words over and over as if saying them would somehow bring their son back to life.

Ethan released his grip and gently pulled her into a seated position on the bed. Wrapping his arms around her trembling frame, he brushed her tear-soaked cheeks with his large hand and said softly, "Lily, just pretend he never existed."

Pretend he never existed?

How could she?

The stack of parenting magazines on the shelf by the wall was still there—how often had she read through them? She had even ordered a pile of toys from those magazines.

Her belly had grown, undeniably real. She had fully experienced the process of pregnancy and felt every reaction and every flutter of life within her.