Chapter 16

Neither Aaron nor Margaret was willing to back down. The tension in the room was suffocating. Aaron's fists clenched tight, his eyes wild with frustration. "This is my child. You have no right to interfere with my decision!" Margaret was so enraged by his words her heart nearly gave out. She slammed her palm against the side table and snapped, "I don't have the right? Lina does! That baby is in her body—she's the mother, and the decision should be hers!" With that, the pressure shifted squarely onto Alina, who was already trembling in the corner. She sat with her head down, fingers twisting the hem of her gown as their stares bore into her. She knew this child was the last thread tethering her to Aaron—her one and only chance to remain in his life. So, she couldn't lose it. But the truth was, the decision had never really been hers to make. Margaret did not know about the agreement she had signed with Aaron months ago, but Alina remembered every line of it—every cold, cruel clau