Yerick, I’ll do anything you ask of me, but don’t hurt Steve. He’s just a baby, and he knows nothing. Spare him, please. I was intending to spare him. Put the baby on the bed, quick! Or I’ll kill him! Yerick yelled warningly, losing patience.
Rosalie kissed Steve’s cheek and tearily placed him on the bed. What exactly do you want?
Rose, let’s leave this place. There are way too many disgusting people around. I’ll take you away somewhere where it’s just the two of us. Where are you taking me to?
Yerick pulled out a bottle of pills from his pocket. He twisted it open, took a pill, and presented it to Rosalie. Take this.
What is this? Rosalie asked.
Don’t worry, it won’t kill you. It’ll make you lose consciousness for a while to make it easier for me to take you away. What about Steve? What will you do to him? Rosalie asked with concern.
Rose, didn’t you ask me to spare him? I promise you that you can leave Steve at home while you come with me.
How could I do that? He’s still just a baby! Who will take care of him while he’s all alone at home? Who will feed him and change his diapers?
Hmm, that’s true. Yerick pondered for a moment before saying, What you said makes sense, Rose. Why don’t I bring Steve along? I can threaten you with him all the time.
Yerick made a move to carry Steve.
Don’t touch him! Rosalie said agitatedly. She rushed to the bed and hugged Steve tight. Don’t touch him! Don’t hurt my son!
What exactly do you want, then? Yerick asked, You either come with me alone or bring Steve along. I’m giving you a choice right now. Rosalie didn’t know what to do, either. What would happen if Steve were at home for a long time without anyone realizing he was there alone? But if she took Steve with her, only heaven knows what Yerick that madman would do.
Rose, have you decided?
If I go with you, what will happen to me? What will happen to Steve?
My dear Rose, I don’t have much patience left. If you’re worried about Steve, then take him along with you. If you want me to spare him, then leave him here and come with me. I promise I won’t hurt him.
Rosalie was in a dilemma.
Rose, I’ll give you ten more seconds. Tell me your decision or I’ll kill him.
Yerick’s gun was still aimed at Steve.
Rosalie hugged Steve tight, sobbing uncontrollably.
Steve, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, She kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, Justin will come. Cry very loudly if you’re hungry.
With that, she released the baby and said to Yerick, I’ll go with you and leave the baby here.
She couldn’t bring the baby with her. Yerick was crazy enough to threaten her with the baby and he could kill him anytime.
Last night, she called Justin to tell
him to come back because she was sure Chandra wouldn’t cause him trouble anymore. She wasn’t sure when Justin would return, but ke simply said that he would do so as soon as possible.
That was the only bit of hope that Rosalie could cling to.
If Justin didn’t return within the next few days, she was sure Steve would cry out loud when he became hungry. Steve’s cries were very
and if he cried non-stop withou
anyone coaxing him, it would surely draw the attention of the neighbors who might come to his rescue.
No matter what, she couldn’t put the baby in Yerick’s hands.
This was the only way she could protect Steve. It would be too dangerous to take the baby with her. Yerick could point his gun at Steve anytime. Yerick, if I go with you, will you really not hurt my baby?
Rose, you’re the only one I want. I don’t care about the baby. I can kill him or abandon him. If you’re obedient, I’ll just leave him here and not care about him. Be good. Take the pill and come with me.
Steve seemed to sense what was going on and knew that it wasn’t a good feeling. He pouted his lips, as if on the verge of crying, but he didn’t cry. Rosalie picked up the pill on the table with trembling fingers. Yerick, don’t hurt my child. As long as you don’t hurt him, I’ll do anything you say. But if you hurt him, I promise you, I’ll fight you with my life.
Rosalie stuffed the pill in her mouth and swallowed it. Dizziness overwhelmed her and then she collapsed on the floor.
Her vision blurred and she couldn’t even see Steve properly. She lifted a hand and murmured, Steve…
She then lost consciousness.
Yerick put his gun aside and hauled Rosalie up from the floor.
He turned to glance at the baby on the bed. Little Steve, I just want your mom and not you. You’re on your own now.
The baby stared blankly at Yerick with his big, round eyes.
Yerick carried Rosalie out of the house.
Rose, very soon, it’ll just be the two of us.
When they walked past the door, Rosalie briefly regained consciousness for a short moment She secretly opened her eyes and seizing the chance while Yerick was not paying attention, quietly lifted a hand to press a small white button on the wall.
Wo
It took all of the energy she could muster. She collapsed back into Yerick’s arms and blacked out.
When the commotion died down, Steve lay on his stomach on the bed and inched forward. He then sat up and stared blankly at the door, calling out, Mama.