Chapter 4 Theyre just complimenting you . Dont be Ethan , Im your wife , I hissed through Medt teeth . He stood , pulling me aside too rough , too impatient . [ ] Relax , its a joke . Youre overreacting . I shoved his hand away . Im going upstairs . ] Before I could move , he pressed a glass milk into my palm . Drink this first . For the baby . [ ] My body trembled involuntarily . Whats in it ? [ ] Just milk , Lila . Since when do you not trust me ? ] His tone was sweet , but his eyes were flat , calculating . [ ] I pushed it away . His jaw clenched . Ive been patient all day . [ ] Lisa stepped in , all faux concern , handing me a cup of water instead . Dont force her , Ethan . Shes tired . 0 Her smile was venomous , hidden beneath a veneer of kindness . I stared at the water , clarity piercing through the haze . [ ] If I drink this , will you let me rest ? The liquid went down smoothly , warm , harmless until heat began crawling under my skin , my limbs turning to lead . [ I dropped the cup , gasping as my vision blurred . [ ] What did you- My voice slurred , legs buckling . [ Zack caught me , his hands greedy on my waist , my thighs . Lisas idea , he chuckled , breath hot on my neck . [ Pictures werent enough ? Now shes giving you a real reason to stay quiet . Smart girl now youll have their baby and a video of you begging for it . [ ] I tried to scream , but my throat was cotton . Ethan and Lisa stood across the room , her arm looped through his , watching as Zack carried me upstairs . [ His last words before darkness claimed me were ice in my veins : [ ] Go easy on her , guys . Thats my kid in there . ] Relax , weve got this , Zack snorted , hoisting me into his arms like I weighed nothing . Not a hair on your spawns head1l get touched . [ ] His boots thudded on the stairs as he carried me up , and I turned my head , locking eyes with Ethan his face a cold mask , no flicker of recognition in those eyes rd once thought held love Regret is coming for you . I slurred , though the words felt thick on my tongue Lisa smarked , swirling the wine in her glass the same one shed pressed into my hand hours earlier . [ ] That water wasnt just an aphrodisiac , sweetie . I added a little narcotic too erases the worst memories . When you wake up , youll still be Ethans perfect little lapdog none the wiser . Chapter 4 She raised her glass in a mock toast . Sleep tight . Then the darkness came swift , suffocating . In the void , something tore at me , nails and teeth and laughter , ripping me into pieces Id never reassemble . I woke naked on the floor , blood pooling hot beneath me , sticky and relentless . [ ] Help … I dragged myself to the door , pounding with fists that felt like lead . [ ] Laughter erupted on the other side . Cut the act , slut your moans were deafening . Sleep it off youll forget all about this by morning . Zacks voice , smug , amused . ] Ethans tone followed , cold and businesslike : Now thats done , lets move to the next round . ] ] A door slammed , vibrating the walls leaving me alone in the silence , bleeding into the cracks of a life Id finally stopped pretending to want . ] I clawed my way downstairs , a trail of blood smearing behind me , each inch a victory . By the time I grabbed my phone , my vision was fading , but I dialed the hospital through gritted h . The next time I opened my eyes , it was to the sharp scent of antiseptic , the sterile hum of moors . // A nurse hovered , sympathy in her gaze . Ms.Lila …. the baby didnt survive . How would you like to handle … the remains ? I stared at the box she held , my voice steady as stone . Call a courier . ] Ethan and the others stumbled in at dawn , reeking of alcohol and arrogance . The door clicked open . A horrifying bloodpath : greeted them , snaking from the stairs to the living room crimson , unbroken , a message written in gore . ] ] Lila ?! Ethan shouted , bolting up the stairs . The bedroom was a horror show : a sticky pool of blood where Id lain , no sign of me only the echo of what theyd done . ]] The doorbell rang then , sharp and merciless . Ethan ? Fackage for you . Needs a signature .