But I also knew that if this child came into the world unloved, like I once was, it would only bring more pain.
Atlas naturally thought that when I said the baby was gone, I meant I had ended the pregnancy myself.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he grabbed my hands, completely forgetting why he had come. He pulled me along, insisting that we go to the hospital to confirm it.
Just then, a cry came from behind. Heidi’s voice trembled with hurt.
“Atlas, isn’t today our wedding day? Why are you holding her hand? Why is she wearing a wedding dress?”
“Sister, did you ask me to come here just to see Atlas betray me? I hate you both!”
She turned and ran into the street, crying. My brother shouted, and my mother slapped me hard across the face.
“Why did you call Heidi here! You won’t be satisfied until you drive her insane, will you? If anything happens to Heidi because of you today, I’ll cut off our mother-daughter bond! Atlas, stop her!”
Atlas threw my hand away roughly, and I fell backward. My wedding dress tore against the gravel, scraping my knees until thin lines of blood appeared.