Chapter 137

••• Victoria’s POV ••• The room was too quiet for a place that had just witnessed a birth—and a death. I stood at the edge of the nursery, my arms crossed over my chest, but not out of defense. I was holding myself together. Barely. “She didn’t even get to hold her,” I whispered. Damien said nothing. His hand hovered behind me, unsure whether to touch or pull away. “She gave birth, then died on the table,” he finally said. “Evelyn’s body will be taken care of. There’s nothing else anyone can do.” “Nothing else anyone can do?” I turned to face him slowly. “There’s a baby, Damien.” His jaw tensed. “I know.” I stared at the crib through the glass—so small, so pink, with that tuft of black hair and tiny fists clenched as if she already knew the world could be cruel. A nurse reached in to adjust her blanket. She made a sound, a little hiccup-like cry that went straight through my ribcage. “She’s innocent.” “She’s Elijah and Evelyn’s child.” “She’s still innocent," I insisted. Damien exhaled