Chapter 4

I peered into the room. The window was open, letting in a chilling blast of cold air.

Claudia’s friend was cowering by the bed, too scared to say a word.

They were old enough for elementary school. How could they not know the danger?

Owen tried to reason with me.

“ Claudia has already apologized, Cassie. You’ve let out your anger. Let’s just bury the baby.”

The absurdity of it all struck me. A human life was gone, and an apology was all it took?

Mrs. Miller rushed over and tightly hugged Claudia, tenderly stroking her face, murmuring:

“You hit her so hard, her face is all red.”

Her face was only red from my slap, but that baby had lost his entire life!

I roughly pushed Mrs. Miller away, then grabbed Claudia’s hair and dragged her toward the window.

“You didn’t know what would happen if he fell, right? Why don’t you try it yourself?”

Claudia screamed, terrified, struggling against me.

“No! I don’t want to! I’ll die if I fall! You’ll go to jail if I die! To jail!”

So she knew about jail, yet she still did it.

For two lifetimes, I couldn’t comprehend how a child’s mind could be so wicked!

A sharp pain shot up my arm as Owen forcefully pulled me away. The momentum sent me crashing headfirst into the wall.

A streak of crimson liquid ran down the plaster.

Owen shielded Claudia, his face etched with disgust.

“Are you ever going to stop? Our son is dead. Why are you picking a fight with a child? Why didn’t you watch him better?”

Both Owen and Mrs. Miller stood in front of Claudia, watching me defensively.

In my last life, I finally understood. They were the true family, bound by blood.

My three-month-old son and I meant nothing.

I clutched my forehead, my hand shaking as I pulled out my phone to call the police.

But Owen kicked my phone, sending it flying.

“This is a family matter! What are you calling the police for?!”

“ Claudia isn’t eighteen yet. It’s useless to call the police anyway.”

I pushed myself up against the wall, looking at him with utter disappointment.

“Your son is dead. And you don’t care?”

Seeing the blood on my forehead, a flicker of remorse crossed Owen’s eyes.

“Cassie, we can always have more children.”

“But I… I only have one niece.”