Chapter 109

Elodie paused outside the room. She braced herself before pushing open the door. Vivienne’s face was a crumpled map of pain, shadows clinging to her hollow eyes. The harsh hospital lighting did no favours to her already fragile appearance. At the sound of footsteps, Vivienne’s head snapped up, her gaze a poisoned dagger. ‘You,’ she spat, the single word laced with venom. ‘What are you doing here? Have you come to gloat?’ Elodie’s gaze snagged on the IV snaking up Vivienne’s arm. ‘Did you come to gawk at your handiwork?’ Vivienne’s hand flew to her stomach. Elodie sighed, her voice gentle. ‘That’s not what I—’ ‘Don’t!’ Vivienne’s eyes brimmed with tears. ‘My baby... You murdered it!’ Guilt clawed at Elodie’s throat. ‘If you hadn’t…’ she began, then stopped to duck the pillow Vivienne flung at her. ‘Vivienne, I didn’t know you were pregnant. I acted in self-defence. If you hadn’t tried to come after me with that syringe…’ Vivienne’s eyes turned to molten lava. ‘You kicked me! You made me