Cornelius still had my arm in a death grip. Behind us, the staircase dropped away, steep and unforgiving.
I thought about it. Actually, wouldn't a hospital be better? Rhys was on shift tonight. He would never let anything happen to me.
So I nodded. "Fine. Let's go to the hospital. As long as you won't regret it."
The moment I gave in, my mother's tone softened. A smile even spread across her face. "See? I told you Sylvia wouldn't be that heartless. I raised her all these years. This is exactly how she should be."
I looked at her, and whatever shred of mother-daughter bond I'd been clinging to evaporated on the spot.
I was going to keep this baby.
But the cord blood donation consent form? I would never sign it.
Cornelius released my arm and hurried toward the door. "Then let's go. Stop wasting time."
I got in the car. I was about to give the address of Rhys's hospital when Cornelius let out a cold laugh, his eyes finding mine in the rearview mirror.
"Don't think I don't know what you're planning, Sis."
"We're going to the small-town clinic."
"Relax. They do clean work there too."
My heart plummeted.