Chapter 1
Sweat trickled down the brow of the young woman struggling to bring new life into the world, a maid quickly blotted it away so as to not disturb her perfect appearance. From her manicured nails, to her arched brows, to her expertly applied makeup, everything about this woman was perfection. Another contraction, another push and the woman screamed in pain and frustration, the hours of labor wore her down. This experience was anything but perfect
“Don’t worry ma’am,” the maid encouraged, “soon it will all be over and you’ll have your perfect angel in your arms.”
The woman huffed angrily as another wave overtook her.
“Push hard Lady LaMonte. The baby is almost here.” Lady LaMonte bore down, pushing as hard as she could. “It’s crowning, one more push.” Lady LaMonte gave one final push and collapsed against the pillows as she felt the baby slip from her body.
A lusty cry filled the air as the baby announced its arrival and a small gasp escaped the midwife as she carefully cleaned the small bundle.
“What is it? Let me see my baby.” Lady LaMonte demanded. The midwife nervously stepped forward and folded back the soft blanket, revealing the child’s face. “Destroy it.” The voice was empty, devoid of emotion. The midwife gasped again. “Did I stutter?” Lady LaMonte turned away from the abomination, dismissing them both. “I said destroy it.” Annoyance evident in her voice.
“Yes ma’am.” The midwife wrapped the blanket around the baby and stepped back, gathering her things quickly, mind racing. A small cry escaped the bundle as the baby demanded attention and feeding. The midwife’s breasts began to leak as the cries of hunger continued. Tears formed in her eyes as she remembered another baby, so recently placed in the ground, stillborn, robbed of any chance at life. She couldn’t steal that chance from this baby over one small imperfection.
“Shh little love.” She cooed as she ran to the street, cradling the precious bundle against her, its only protection from this vile world. She ducked behind a building, hiding in the darkness as she opened her shirt and held the baby to her breast, sighing in euphoria as the baby latched on, the joyous feeling of let down filling her as the milk flowed from her body, nectar filling the mouth of the baby and satisfying its cravings.
The midwife looked around cautiously, she couldn’t be seen with the baby, Lady LaMonte had ordered it destroyed, nothing but perfection was allowed in her world. The darkness of the night enveloped them, hiding them from unfriendly eyes as she stole through the streets, careful to not look suspicious while hurrying home.
Her body ached, it had only been days since the unfortunate death of her own child, but when Lady LaMonte summoned, everyone listened. She wished she could hire a cab for the rest of the journey, but she couldn’t risk being exposed. She cuddled the sleeping child closer to her as she adjusted her bag and continued down the street. She could hear the clopping of horse hooves in the distance, getting closer. She ducked down an alley as the carriage hurried past, the curtains closed against the night. She let out a breath in a soft whoosh as she checked the street again before continuing on her path.
She could see the lights burning in the windows of her house, only a few blocks to go. The curtains twitched as she passed a house, the town busybody. The midwife groaned and adjusted her bag, hoping to hide the bundle she carried or at the least give the impression it was nothing but rags.
A sigh of relief left her body as her feet hit the bricks of her own front path. She burst through the door. “We have to go. Now!”
