Chapter 12

In the operating room, I could feel the instruments moving inside me, twisting and turning. The excruciating pain tore through me, and my face instantly went pale. My fingers gripped the sheets tightly. Yes, I should remember this pain. I had wronged the child, and this pain was something I deserved to bear. Blood began flowing down my legs, and my body grew cold. My head swam in dizziness, and before the surgery was finished, I lost consciousness. I slept fitfully, trapped in a restless, oppressive slumber. In my dreams, the cries of a baby echoed, mingled with Darius’s cold, dark face... I struggled to awaken from the nightmare, and by my bedside stood Damon, his face bruised and battered. "Seraphina, you’re finally awake!" Damon immediately took my hand. "You’ve been unconscious for a day and a night. You scared me half to death..." My body felt heavy and weak. Even sitting up took effort. Seeing the bruises on Damon’s face, guilt washed over me.