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Ten tiny toes.

Perfect.

“I love you,” I tell her. “I love you so much.”

The door opens.

My mother enters carrying a blanket and an empty basket.

“No.” I hold my baby tighter. “Not yet.”

“You knew this was going to happen.”

“Please, Mama.”

“You should have thought about that before you behaved like a whore.”

Mae steps between us. “She has just given birth.”

“And she will hand over that child.”

My mother reaches for my daughter.

I twist away from her.

“No!”

My father storms into the room. The sight of him makes my entire body lock with terror.

“You’ve caused enough trouble,” he says.

“Please let me keep her.”

“You won’t bring your bastard into my house.”

“She isn’t—” My voice breaks. “Sean loves me. He would marry me.”

“Sean Campbell is gone.”

“Then find him. Please, Daddy. Give her to Sean.”

His hand lifts.

Mae catches his wrist before he can strike me.

“If you hit that girl again,” she says quietly, “I will walk out of this house and bring the police back with me.”

My father stares at her.

Mae doesn’t release him.

Something passes between them. Something I don’t understand.

Finally, he jerks his arm away.

“Take the baby,” he orders.

Mae turns toward me. Tears shine in her eyes.