Chapter 28

Charles' expression changed in an instant. Lilith and Horace were shocked, while people nearby wondered if they'd misheard. Charles hauled me onto land. I collapsed in a gasping heap. My blue dress was soaked, and something started trickling down my legs. My belly cramped over and over. "There's so much blood!" Someone pointed at the bright-red stain spreading across my blue dress. "Shay…" Charles, who had been so cold, suddenly panicked. "What's going on? Shay, tell me…" "Charles, I knew I shouldn't come to you, but I thought… I should let you know. I've been trying to say that I'm pregnant," I said with a weak laugh. "But you hate me, so I figured you'd hate the baby, too. I decided not to mention it and not to keep it. It'd only be trouble." "Shay…" Charles pressed me close, stroking my cheek, his voice filled with pain. "I don't hate you. I don't." "It's alright, Charles. Hate me if you want. I just wish you… and the one you love live happily together. I won't get in the w