Page 90 of Memories of Us

Hating the pure agony in his tone, I dragged a shaking hand through his dark hair.

“I wish that was the worst of it. Dammit, I wish it was. Beks.” His misery-laced eyes met mine with tears rimming the bottom lids. “The wreck didn’t cause you to lose our baby.”

In shock, I pulled back and shook my head. “No, Brenton, it did. The doctors said—”

“Think, baby. Did the doctors say you lost the baby or did your dad?”

Mind racing, I attempted to remember specifics from those terrible days. “I don't... I don't know. Maybe Daddy?”

“They took it from us.”

“I don't—”

“Our fathers decided our baby's fate. Your father told the doctors the baby was conceived under force, and while you lay unconscious, he signed over your rights since you were underage. He gave them consent for termination. And my father paid him to eliminate a future unwanted heir to the Graves estate.”

“No, they wouldn't. You're lying,” I breathed even though I knew he wasn't.

“Beks, I'm so sorry.” Tears dripped down his cheeks to my jeans.

The growing dark spot drew my unfocused gaze.

Brenton spoke.

Ryder wrapped her arms around my shoulders and cried.

But for me?

Not a single tear. No emotion at all. All I could do was focus on breathing and stare at the wet spot on my jeans, at Brenton's tears.

Nothing else mattered. The world slipped. Noises vanished.

And at that moment, I learned what true devastation was.

I was on the verge of a free fall into the darkness I’d somehow kept at bay all these years.

But right now, knowing what they took from me, I dove into the darkness, not caring if I ever came back.

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