Before I could leave the bed, Richard Vance had one of my newborn sons in his arms.

"You have three," he said coldly.

"Daniel has none.

He gets this one."

"Put my baby back now!"

I reached for his sleeve.

Richard jerked away, then struck the side of my head with his free hand.

Pain flashed behind my eyes.

I collapsed into the pillow, oxygen mask sitting crooked across my face, but my fingers found the bedside call button.

Jessica stepped toward the other bassinets.

"You're young enough to pop out a replacement."

Daniel positioned himself in front of the door.

Then the corridor alarm lights turned red.

Richard froze immediately.

A nurse and two hospital security officers rushed inside carrying a sealed file.

I wrapped both arms around the bassinets beside me while Richard continued holding my crying third baby.

The nurse looked from the file to him.

Then at me.

"Maya…" Her voice shook.

"He was planning to s*ll the child to—"

Daniel went white.

Jessica stopped breathing.

And Richard tried to run.

---

What was Richard planning?

"You and Adrian can rent somewhere smaller," he said.

My husband sl@pped me across the face in front of his entire family, poi...

My husband sl@pped me across the face in front of his entire family, pointed toward the front door, and shouted, "Get out of my ho...

My sister looked me directly in the eyes before kicking my six-month pre...

My sister looked me directly in the eyes before kicking my six-month pregnant belly.

And who stopped him in time?

Comment **"NEXT"** if you want Part 2 — it's in the comments below.

Chapter 1: The Man Who Called My Son a Transaction