What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger novel Chapter 3

"Well, well. You two lovebirds move fast," Laria said, her voice syrupy sweet while her eyes remained cold as winter. "Pregnant after just one year! How... efficient."

She let her voice crack on the last word, her eyes suddenly swimming with perfectly timed tears.

"I've been trying for four fucking years with nothing to show for it."

Those fat, glistening tears started their practiced descent down her flawless cheeks.

I watched something shift in Hektor's expression—a look he'd never once given me—raw devotion mixed with fierce protectiveness that made my stomach twist into knots.

He pressed his lips together before turning to me, his decision already made.

"Get rid of it."

His words hit me like a slap. For a moment, I couldn't breathe.

"What did you just say?" I whispered, certain I'd misheard.

Hektor sighed dramatically. "Your body can't handle a pregnancy, Yunifer. You're missing a kidney. I couldn't bear watching you go through labor."

"I'm only thinking of you," he added with practiced concern. "I couldn't stand seeing you suffer through childbirth."

The same man who, moments earlier, had been desperately reassuring Laria about her fertility issues.

A bitter laugh escaped my throat. "This is my child, Hektor. My body. My goddamn choice."

With only one kidney, I lived on borrowed time anyway.

But I desperately wanted—needed—this child. Someone who would look after my mother when I was gone.

Hektor's expression flickered with what might have been a microsecond of actual hesitation.

"Oh, Hektor," Laria cut in, her voice a masterful blend of martyrdom and sweetness. "Maybe we should let Yunifer keep the baby. I absolutely adore children."

She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue before delivering her knockout punch.

"I'm just terrified that when Julian sees his precious little niece or nephew, he'll finally realize what a broken, barren failure I am." Her voice dissolved into a delicate whimper.

Whatever momentary doubt had crossed Hektor's face vanished instantly. His voice hardened.

"Yunifer, this ends now. I'm calling my doctor to schedule the procedure."

"The hell you are," I shot back, "this baby stays. If you don't want us, fine—we'll disappear."