18/03/2026
Monster During the Day, Beast at Night Part 2
When she found out she was pregnant, she believed the baby would change everything.
She ran to him with trembling joy, holding the small clinic paper in her hand.
"Daniel... we're going to have a child!"
For one bright second, his face softened.
Then it darkened. "Are you sure it's mine?"
he asked quietly. The question cut deeper than any blow.
The beatings did not stop. In fact, they became more dangerous. He no longer used his hands openly. He pushed. He grabbed. He squeezed her arms hard enough to leave fingerprints like purple bracelets. Always careful. Always where clothes could hide the truth.
At church, he placed his hand protectively on her belly. "Our miracle," he would announce proudly.
The congregation would clap. Cathy learned to smile with split lips.
But the baby inside her did something unexpected.
It fought back. Every time Daniel raised his hand, the baby kicked violently, as if protesting. As if saying, Enough.
One night, during a storm so loud it shook the windows, Daniel came home angrier than usual. The church board had questioned his spending. His pride was wounded.
He entered the bedroom without turning on the light.
"You are the reason my life is cursed," he muttered.
The lightning flashed, and for a second Cathy saw his face - not human, not kind. Twisted by rage. A stranger
To be continued
Writing Tori by tari
