"But our baby never got to see this world either!" I choked out.
Mason froze. Something fractured behind his eyes—pain and hatred colliding, neither winning.
Before he could respond, Rebecca rushed forward and grabbed his arm.
"Mason, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have brought up your parents." She pressed closer to him, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "If your sister had survived, maybe she could've walked our children to school together someday..."
I watched his gaze darken, sinking into that familiar abyss. Desperate, I grabbed the fabric of his trousers.
"Mason." My voice cracked. "You hate my entire family, don't you? Then take my life. Take it."
"Once I'm dead, your vendetta ends. That's all I'm asking—just let my parents and my child rest in peace."
Something snapped in him. He hauled me to my feet like a man possessed, forcing my face toward the sky where the fireworks still bloomed, one after another.
"Chloe." His breath was hot against my ear. "What your family owes me can never be repaid. Not in this lifetime. Not in a thousand."
"Don't think I can't see through you. You want to use death as an escape from your sins."
His grip tightened until my bones ached.