"I was bored. Curious what it looks like when a woman gives birth." She shrugged. "So he recorded it. We're practically family. You're not really going to throw a tantrum over something this small, are you?"
I turned to Brendan.
He didn't contradict a single word.
The last trace of warmth drained from my face.
"Curious…"
I rolled the word around slowly, tasting its shape.
"Then why don't you find someone to knock you up and try it yourself?"
My voice was quiet. Almost conversational.
But the smug look on Charity's face cracked like dry earth.
"That's enough, Naomi. You've gone too far."
Brendan's voice cut in, low and hard. His eyes held nothing but disapproval—
For me.
I watched him in silence.
Just as he turned to comfort Charity, I spoke again.
"Oh, I almost forgot."
"You'd love to have a child of your own, wouldn't you? Too bad the father wasn't interested."
Everyone who knew Charity knew exactly what she'd done back then.
The moment the words left my mouth, two sounds rang out simultaneously.
"Naomi!"
Slap!
Charity stood before me, her raised hand striking down again.
I'd just given birth. I had no strength left to fight back—I took both blows full-force.