With feigned anxiety, Mabel pulled Jonathan from Alain's arms and apologized to me profusely, "I'm truly sorry. Jonathan is too little to understand. Please don't hold it against him. I never wanted to ruin your family. Just please let him see his dad once in a while."

I watched with cold detachment. When I didn't budge, she amped up her act. "Please don't divorce Alain. You are his whole world; he cannot live without you. Jonathan and I don't matter."

She clutched Jonathan protectively, but I remained silent. In a flash, she grabbed him and slapped his bottom hard. "If you're not satisfied, I'll help you get even!"

Jonathan wailed, "Mom, don't hit me! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have clung to Dad."

Mabel choked back her tears, but her slap grew harder. "This is what happens when you misbehave!"

Alain snatched him away. "What are you doing? Don't hit the child!"

Mabel glared. "Will you do it again?"

Jonathan ran back to her and clutched her hand. "Mom, I won't do it again."

"Good. Now stop crying," Mabel consoled him, cautiously turning to me. "Feels better now?"

Her apologies and Jonathan's sobs blended, creating a cacophony that made my head throb and my belly ache worse.

Alain glared at me. "Had enough of this circus?"

Cold sweat beaded on my forehead as the pain left me breathless. I couldn't utter a sound.

Jonathan peeked from behind Mabel, his voice trembling. "Dad, if you have more children, would you cast me aside? I don't eat much, and I can serve them. Please don't abandon me. I'll behave."

Alain's heart nearly broke. He ruffled Jonathan's hair. "Don't worry. I'll always love you."

Mabel looked exhausted. "Marie, please don't bring up divorce again. You're Alain's one and only love."

"What, playing the long game now?" I retorted, biting back the pain. "Didn't you ask him to divorce me and marry you? Now that you can finally take my place, you want to give up? Drop the act."

Her face paled. "No, I never thought that way."

Mid-sentence, she swayed and passed out.

Alain reacted quickly, catching her just in time. His pupils contracted in alarm as he lifted her into his arms.

"Mom!" Jonathan cried out.

Alain glared at me, seething with rage. "Marie Owen! How could you treat a pregnant woman like this? If anything happens to her, I'll make you pay!"

With that, he took Jonathan by the hand and carried Mabel out. I slid down the table to the floor, staring at the spreading pool of blood.

In my fading consciousness, I summoned my last ounce of strength to pull out my phone and call someone I hadn't spoken to in ages.

"Uncle Erik, save me. I-I want to go home," I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. "I want to reclaim everything I've given Alain."