"I told her my stomach is sensitive… I told her I couldn't eat fried sugar cakes… but Aunt Natalie said she wanted one. She bought one for herself and gave me one as big as a fist, saying I should eat it, too. After I did… it started hurting… ”
His words were barely above a whisper, yet each one struck like a whip.
Eleanor's tears spilled over as she turned to me, her voice shaking with desperation.
"Sister Natalie, it's my fault. I never should have fallen in love with Charles… never should have appeared in front of you. If you hold a grudge, take it out on me. But please, don't hurt my Orion… He was in my womb for ten months; he's my life!"
I realized something was wrong and rushed to explain.
But before I could utter a word, Charles's palm struck my face.
A sharp sting bloomed across my cheek, but the pain was nothing compared to the fire raging in his eyes, blazing, unforgiving, as if he wanted to tear me apart.
"I told you, if you have a problem, take it out on me! I never expected you to go after an innocent child!"
I clenched my jaw, forcing back the bitterness rising in my throat.