Page 118 of Say You're Mine

"You did everything you could," Natalie interjects, her voice firm. "Both of you. And now..." She gestures to the baby in my arms. "Now you focus on her. On your family. Let us handle the rest."

As if on cue, the baby starts to fuss. I shift her to my breast, marveling at how natural it feels, how right. June watches us with a look of awe that makes my heart clench.

"She needs a name," he says softly, reaching out to stroke our daughter's tiny foot. "Something strong. Something that honors everything we've been through."

I consider for a moment, letting the rhythm of my daughter's feeding soothe me. "Onyx," I say finally. "Onyx Ashley Deveaux."

June's breath catches. "Onyx," he repeats, testing the name on his tongue. "Strong, resilient. I love it."

Natalie smiles, a hint of her usual mischief returning. "Well, little Onyx," she coos, "you've got quite the story to live up to. But something tells me you're up for the challenge."

As if in agreement, Onyx lets out a tiny sneeze. We all laugh, the tension in the room easing slightly.

But our moment of peace is short-lived. Another knock at the door has us all on edge again. This time, it's Judith who enters, her face grave.

"We have a visitor," she says, her voice carefully neutral. "Someone who wants to see you, Cara."

I tense, a thousand possibilities running through my mind. But nothing could have prepared me for who wheels through the door.

Amethyst.

She looks nothing like the polished, perfect woman I remember. Her hair hangs limp around her face, dark circles marring her pale skin. And her stomach... my God, her stomach is swollen with child.

"Hello, Cara," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I hope I'm not intruding."

I feel June stiffen beside me, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive. But as I look at Amethyst—really look at her—all I see is a woman as broken and battered by Elaine's machinations as I am.

"No," I say softly, shifting Onyx to one arm. "No, you're not intruding. Come in."

Amethyst wheels closer, her eyes never leaving the baby. "She's beautiful," she murmurs. "You must be so happy."

The words are simple, but I hear the pain behind them. The longing. I swallow hard, fighting back tears. "Amethyst, I'm so sorry. For everything you've been through. If I had known..."

She shakes her head, cutting me off. "No. Don't apologize. None of this was your fault. I'm the one who should be sorry. I let Elaine manipulate me, use me. I was so desperate for her approval, for a family of my own, that I didn't see the monster she truly was."

June moves to stand behind me, his presence a solid wall of strength. "We all fell for her lies," he says, his voice gruff with emotion. "She had a way of twisting everything, making you doubt yourself."

Amethyst nods, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I was so jealous of you, Cara," she admits. "Of what you and June had. I thought... I thought if I could just give Elaine what she wanted, maybe I could have that too. But now..."

She trails off, her hand coming to rest on her swollen belly. The gesture is so achingly familiar that my heart breaks for her.

"How far along are you?" I ask gently.

"Seven months," Amethyst replies, a hint of wonder creeping into her voice. "It's a boy. I... I've decided to keep him. To raise him myself."

Pride swells in my chest. "That's wonderful," I say, meaning it with every fiber of my being. "You're going to be an amazing mother, Amethyst."

She looks up at me, hope and fear warring in her eyes. "You really think so? Even after everything?"

I reach out, taking her hand in mine. "Especially after everything," I say firmly. "You're strong, Amethyst. You survived. And your son is going to have a mother who knows firsthand the importance of love, of family."

Amethyst breaks down then, years of pent-up emotion pouring out of her. I pull her close, awkwardly hugging her around my daughter and her belly. June's hand comes to rest on my shoulder, a silent show of support.

As Amethyst's sobs subside, I feel a shift in the air. A sense of healing, of moving forward. We've all been through hell, but we've come out the other side. Scarred, yes. Changed, undoubtedly. But alive. And together.

"You know," I say, as Amethyst wipes her eyes, "Onyx is going to need friends. People who understand where she comes from, the legacy she carries."

Amethyst's eyes widen with understanding. "You mean...?"

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