temperature of the room. Then came the pain, a dull, throbbing ache that pulsed from my head down my spine. I tr

different. This time, the vase in his hands wasn't just for show. He brought it down on my head, again and again. I r

t of antiseptic, two identical bassinets. My best friend, Lisa Hayes, her face pale but with a glint of triumph in her ey

, no

il

, sterile. Not like the dusty floor of my living room. I forced my eyes open. The light

ing?" she asked with a kind smile. "The epidural

at my body. My stomach was flat, a gentle softness

es landed on a calendar on

birth. Sixteen years ago. I was back. I had been given a second chance. Ho

filled with a tired, beautiful joy. He looked so young, so untou

g to my side. "You were amazing. She

med down my face. She. He said she. It was my da

?" I asked, my

t finishing her checkup. The

a few hours before me, in the room right next door. She and I had married twin brothers, David and Robert. W

gth. "I want to be moved to a private r

ight next door. And Mom is on her way. She wants t

gles with Alex as poor parenting, constantly comparing my "problem child" to Lisa's "perfect daughter." The

ant any visitors besides you for at least a day. Not your mo

reason. David, ever loving and

ll go talk to the administration right n

p one was complete. I had to keep t

er friendly smile was now a raging fire. She knew her son, Alex, had the rare genetic disorder that ran on her side of the family, a condition that caused severe, u

usband, David, and compared him to the weaker, more pliable Robert. She saw my life as a prize sh

lessly, who bit and scratched, who grew into a teenager who would eventually murder his own mother without a flicker of remorse. And all the w

swaddled bundle. "Here she is, Mo

usting of dark hair, her little hands curled into fists. This was her. My Emily.

s time they were not tears of pa

e choked with emotion. "This time, no one

ot do it again. This time, you will raise the monster