What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger novel Chapter 4

A kiss landed on Hektor's lips.

It ignited something in him. Before Laria could pull away, he gripped her waist and deepened the kiss, hungry and desperate.

"Hektor, stop." Laria whispered against his mouth, her voice a theatrical blend of desire and concern. "Yunifer's right in the next room."

"Don't worry about her," he murmured, trailing kisses down her neck. "I made sure the doctor laced her meds with enough sedatives. Let's go somewhere more comfortable."

He swept Laria into his arms, carrying her like a bride.

Shaking with a mixture of pain and rage, I forced myself out of bed.

My abdomen screamed in protest with every movement, but I dragged myself across the cold hardwood floor on silent, bare feet.

Through the crack, I saw their bodies intertwined, sexing in the dim light.

Their moans and whispers became my nightmare's soundtrack, echoing in my ears until dawn broke.

Hektor didn't show his face for two days. When he finally appeared at my bedside, his eyes were carefully arranged into an expression of remorse.

"God, Yunifer, I'm so sorry I haven't been around. The company's been in absolute chaos."

I stared vacantly past him, refusing to acknowledge his presence.

He dropped to one knee beside the bed, taking my limp hand in his.

"Baby, look at me," he pleaded. "I know you're hurting. But ending the pregnancy was for your own good. All I want in this world is for you to be healthy and whole."

He paused, his voice softening. "Hey, it's your birthday today. I brought someone who's been missing you like crazy."

He stood and stepped aside, revealing my mother standing in the doorway.

"Mom..." The word came out as a broken whisper as tears flooded my eyes.

She looked better than I'd seen her in years. No screaming, no vacant stares, no violent outbursts—just my mother, almost herself again.

Seeing my tears, she rushed forward and gathered me in her arms, stroking my hair the way she used to before our world imploded.

Hektor discreetly wiped at his eyes. "I'll let you two have some time together. Got some work waiting in my office."

After he left, I decided to take my mother for a walk around the house.