Broken Hand, Broken Heart

Zach overlooked my anguish, clearly losing his patience. "Enough with the drama! It's just a drawing."

Just a drawing? That was Shawn's greatest wish, the last piece of him I held onto, and now it was gone.

Zach didn't seem fazed at all. He tossed the divorce agreement my way. "Let's get to the point."

I lifted my head, feeling hopeless. "What do you want from me?"

He frowned and sneered. "What now? Did you find someone new? Is that why you're talking about divorce?"

"Zach, quit talking nonsense," I replied flatly.

His face twisted into a mocking grin. "I figured you went off to find a blood pack, but I guess you really had a miscarriage. The kid wasn't mine, right?"

My eyes widened in shock. "Zach, you've gone too far!"

He scoffed, casually flipping through the divorce agreement, irritation creeping into his voice. "So, who's getting custody of Shawn? His surgery should be done by now, right? Reattaching a hand isn't rocket science.

"Didn't you tell him I was coming today? How's he supposed to run Sorensen Corporation someday if he can't handle the basics? He can't even make the effort to come to see me!"

A sharp pain shot through me. I felt a bitter taste rise in my throat as I said hopelessly, "He'll never come, and he can't call you 'Dad' anymore."

Zach furrowed his brow.

I stressed each word. "He's dead. He's gone!"

The ward fell into a heavy silence. Zach stood there, his face going blank.

Just then, Sue interjected disapprovingly. "Celia, I get that you're not ready to give up custody, but you didn't have to lie and curse Shawn, did you? He's your own son!"

She laid extra weight on the words "own son".

Zach's face fell as he suddenly put it all together. "Celia Swain!"

In a fit of rage, he slapped me hard across the face. "You don't want me to get custody of Shawn because you're worried something's going to come out, right?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my face going pale. "What's coming out?"

"Shawn isn't my kid at all!"

His words hit me like a bolt of lightning.

I stared at him in disbelief and yelled, "What did you say?"

"You were already pregnant with that bastard when you married me! Who even knows whose kid he really is? I've just been a fool taking on someone else's mess!" Zach shot me a look of pure disgust.

He stressed every word as he continued, "Honestly, I'd feel nothing but relief if he's really dead! At least our family's bloodline won't be ruined by some bastard!"

I clutched my chest and let out a wild laugh. "So, you never thought Shawn was actually your son..."

I lunged forward and grabbed the IV needle sitting nearby. Anger flared in my eyes as I stabbed the needle into Sue's hand.

"Sue Green, you bitch! I'll kill you!" I'd lost it entirely. I jabbed the needle into her over and over.

Her screams rang in my ears until a strong force knocked me back. I slammed against the headboard, pain exploding in my body.

"Are you out of your mind?" Zach stepped in front of Sue, staring at me in disbelief. "Celia, you think I won't call the cops?"

"Go for it!" I sneered. "You killed Shawn with your own hands, and that's still not enough for you. You want me gone too, don't you? Is that your plan? Get rid of us both so you can marry Sue, right?"

Zach stared at me like I was nuts while shaking his head. "You're insane!"

I lunged at him, sinking my teeth into his neck, my voice muffled. "You think I'm insane? Fine, I'll own it! And insane people don't get thrown in jail for murder!"

He fought back, but I ripped a piece of flesh from his neck. I spat it out, blood smearing the corner of my lips. Then, I let out a bitter laugh.

Zach grabbed his neck, cold sweat pouring down his face from the pain.

I laughed like a maniac and shouted, "Does it hurt? But seriously, no matter how much it hurts, how can it even come close to what Shawn went through when they chopped half his hand off while he was alive? Or the agony he felt when he drowned, gasping for air?"

Zach's expression went serious as he quickly dialed a number. "I'm bringing Shawn over right now so he can see just how unhinged his mom really is!"

The call went through almost right away.

"Bring Shawn to me! Now!" Zach told his assistant, Taylor Croft, in a firm voice.

"M-Mr. Sorensen, that might be… a bit tricky," Taylor spoke hesitantly.

"What do you mean? Is the surgery not done? Is he still under anesthesia?" Zach's anger flared. "I don't care if he's awake or not. Just get him here! Right now!"

"It's not what you think..." Taylor let out a bitter laugh. "Shawn's dead."

"What?" Zach's rage was replaced by disbelief.