She cornered me near the gift table, her voice low and sharp.
“Vanessa’s business is struggling. She needs that money.”
I pulled my arm away. “No. That fund is for my baby.”
Her eyes darkened instantly.
“She deserves it more than you.”
“This isn’t up for discussion.”
That’s when she snapped.
There was no warning.
No hesitation.
Her fist slammed into my stomach.
Pain exploded through my body. My legs gave out. I stumbled backward—
—and fell into the pool.
The cold swallowed me whole.
Through the water, I heard my father’s voice:
“Leave her. Maybe she’ll learn something.”
Then Vanessa laughed.
“Maybe now she’ll finally share.”
That was the moment everything inside me broke.
Or maybe… finally woke up.
I don’t remember how I got out.
Just flashes—hands pulling me, voices shouting, the taste of chlorine and blood.
Then warmth.
A terrifying warmth.
My water had broken.
Chapter 3: Survival
At the hospital, everything moved fast—lights, voices, machines.
And then—
a cry.
My daughter.
Tiny. Fragile. Fighting.
But alive.
I named her Mila.
And as I held her for the first time, something inside me hardened into something unshakable.
They tried to destroy me.
They failed.
Three days later, I got a message from Vanessa.