"Before we finalize things, just sign this. The baby and I? You can have neither."
——
Mamie immediately sat up from Oliver's arms. Her cheeks were still flushed crimson, and her gaze flicked to me, all timid innocence.
"Bernice, please don't be angry. It's my fault for being so sickly. Oliver only holds me because he feels sorry for me. He's just treating my condition."
Her eyes reddened on cue. She leaned her delicate frame against Oliver's shoulder, then tilted her face just so, making sure I got a full view of the bruised trail of kiss marks down her neck.
In my last life, I'd swallowed it all when I saw this. I believed Mamie's allergies were real, that Oliver was just honoring their childhood bond by helping her.
I endured his nights away from home. I endured watching him murmur sweet reassurances to her.
But in the end, I discovered Mamie's allergy was a lie.
When I tried to expose the truth, she shoved me off the second-floor balcony. I died on impact. So did my baby.
And Oliver? He cradled his terrified Mamie and whispered, "Don't be scared. If anything comes of this, I'll sign a forgiveness statement as her next of kin. I'll protect you."