Before I could react, he raised his foot and kicked me in the stomach. "Still thinking of using the child to secure your place? I'll kick you to death."
I fell to the ground, my heart aching as if it were bleeding. I was an orphan. When he first learned that, he had promised to protect me and give me a real home. Now, he was using it to attack me, throwing those cruel words about being born of a mother but not raised by a father.
I tried to get up, but Milo came over and pushed me back down. "Kneel for me."
"Milo, I have a child in my belly. I can't kneel. I know I was wrong; it's all my fault. Please stop hitting me."
I felt pain in my stomach, and if it kept up, I might lose the baby. I said quickly, "I'll ride the jet ski, I'll ride the jet ski, just stop hitting me."
"Milo, everyone came out to have fun and be happy. Seeing you hit your Alia like this makes me feel bad too." Dakota came over to help me up. "Milo's just angry right now. Let's go ride the jet ski for a bit. Once his anger passes, it'll be fine. Let's just stay away from him for now."
"Dakota is really generous."
"It's rare to find someone this kind nowadays."