On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 12

The blade turned, shredding everything inside her. The pain was unbearable.

Just then, Susan returned with the family doctor. Her smile vanished the moment she saw Catherine. “Jessica, the doctor’s here. Come get your shot.”

Lance frowned, his gaze flicking to Jessica’s face.

Amy, however, asked the question on his mind. “Is Mommy sick?”

“Your mommy was bitten by a big, mean dog on her way to visit me,” Susan said dramatically. “Amy, go give your mommy a hug.”

Amy looked guilty for a moment, but then she retorted loudly, “Dogs are man’s best friend! Mommy must have been mean to the dog. She doesn’t have a kind heart. She doesn’t like cats or dogs, and she won’t let me like them either. It makes me sad.”

Catherine stroked Amy’s hair. “You like animals, sweetie? How about I get you a little kitten?”

“No,” Jessica cut in sharply. “Amy is allergic to cats and dogs.”

Amy’s face fell.

“Oh, Ms. Brown,” Catherine said with a saccharine smile, “surely you’ve heard of the Sphynx cat? It’s a hairless breed, perfect for people who love cats but are allergic to fur.”

Amy’s eyes lit up. “Mom Catherine is the best!” she declared, then shot Jessica a pout. “Mommy doesn’t care about me. She’s not a good mommy!”

Jessica just smiled faintly. Fine. She wasn’t a good mother.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Jessica murmured.

As the doctor swabbed her arm with alcohol, he said, “This might sting a little, Mrs. Smith.”

Lance instinctively stood up and took a step toward her. He saw her other hand clutching a throw pillow, her long fingers digging into the fabric. He remembered how terrified she used to be of the progesterone shots when she was pregnant with Amy. She would burrow into his arms and make him cover her eyes. He’d thought it was childish then.

Now, she wasn’t childish anymore, and he felt like something was missing.

After giving the injections, the doctor offered a few words of advice and left. Susan followed him out, lowering her voice. “Dr. Main, I need some of… that medicine.”