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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐁𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐍

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Sunshine stepped into the kitchen, Violet following close behind. It felt strange—being dead. She experienced nothingness and then overwhelming emotions all at once. The details of her death and the moment she gave birth were hazy, yet the lingering memory of pain clung to her. Her gaze fell on Constance, who was cradling the baby and humming softly while gently bouncing him in her arms.

Constance looked up, her eyes meeting Sunshine's for a brief moment. A flicker of sadness crossed her features before looking back down at the bundle of joy in her arms. "He's beautiful," she said softly.

Sunshine managed a small smile, stepping closer to her. "Can I see him?"

After a moment of consideration, Constance nodded. "Of course."

Sunshine held out her arms as Constance carefully placed the baby into her arms. Cradling him close, she gazed down at his perfect little face, watching as he shifted slightly, his tiny lips pursing in response. With one arm securely supporting him, she gently traced his cheek with her free hand, marveling at the softness of his skin. 

Violet moved closer, peering at her nephew. "Normally, babies are kind of ugly when they come out... but he's actually kind of cute."

Sunshine chuckled softly at her sister's comment, her heart swelling with love as she continued to stare down at her precious baby. 

"What's his name?" Violet asked, glancing over with curiosity, a look mirrored on Constance's face as she watched them.

Sunshine's gaze flicked up, and she suddenly realized she hadn't even settled on a name. Sure, she had scoured baby name websites, but nothing had truly resonated with her. She paused, her mind drifting back to a German composer from the 17th century, someone who had played a part in the development of music.

"Michael," she finally replied, her heart warming as she said the name.

"Seriously?" Violet scrunched her eyebrows together in disbelief.

"I think that's a beautiful name," Constance chimed in, her hands resting gently on her upper arms.

Sunshine glanced between them. "Do you mind giving me a moment alone with him?"

Violet nodded and left the kitchen, her footsteps echoing softly as Constance hesitated for a moment before following suit.

Sunshine walked over to a nearby chair, settling down as she gazed at Michael. His eyes were open, their blue hue locking onto hers, and she felt a surge of warmth at the sight. He had her eyes—a detail that brought an involuntary smile to her lips. He was still too fresh to discern any other features, but he radiated an angelic aura that filled her heart with a sense of peace.

Her smile faded the longer she looked at him. Deep down, she knew she couldn't keep him here. She couldn't be the one to raise him, and the realization settled heavily in her chest. A profound ache filled her heart at the thought of missing out on everything: watching him take his first steps, hearing him call her "Mama," witnessing the little milestones that defined his childhood.

His life would unfold without her, and though she understood it was for the best, that knowledge shattered whatever remained of her fractured heart. 

"I wish you could stay," Sunshine said as her bottom lip quivered. Tears stung her eyes, threatening to spill over. "And one day, you might think that I didn't want you..." She placed her free hand gently on his little chest, feeling the rise and fall beneath it. "But I do."

A couple of tears escaped as she noticed Michael gazing up at her, his tiny eyes wide and unblinking. "You're so loved, even if I can't be the one to hold you," she continued, her heart breaking with every word. "You deserve a better life than what I can give you." Leaning closer, she whispered, "Just know that I will always love you and you will always have a place in my heart."

Sunshine pressed a tender kiss to his forehead, her body shaking slightly from the tears and the grief that enveloped her. She closed her eyes, letting the moment linger, imprinting the memory of his innocence and the sweetness of their connection deep into her soul.

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Sunshine hesitated before her bedroom door, acutely aware that Tate was on the other side. Taking a steadying breath, she wiped away the lingering tears that had fallen after she handed her son over to his paternal grandmother.

She reached for the doorknob, feeling it turn slowly under her touch. As she stepped inside, she kept her eyes fixed on the floor, shutting the door firmly behind her. The silence was heavy, her gaze glued to the ground as dread coiled in her stomach, afraid to confront the person who had brought her to this moment of distress. 

Each heartbeat echoed in her ears as she flicked her gaze upward to find Tate lying on his side on her bed. Sunshine forced herself to step forward, crossing the space until she reached the foot of the bed. Tate seemed to sense her presence; he lifted himself up, a genuine smile spreading across his face at the sight of her.

Sunshine's eyes darted away from him as she flexed her jaw, struggling to piece together what she wanted to say. "I died." 

"I'm so sorry." Tate reached out, about to make contact with her wrist, but she quickly pulled away.

"Don't." Sunshine closed her eyes, fighting to keep her composure. "Don't fucking touch me."

Tate looked down at the space where she had pulled back, confusion etching his features. She moved a few steps back, creating distance between them.

Swallowing hard, she continued, "My parents are downstairs, crying over my dead body."

Tate climbed over the foot of the bed, standing before her. "That makes me sad. I like your dad. He was nice to me."

"He has to be nice to his patients." Sunshine blinked, crossing her arms defensively as she met his gaze. Tears glossed over her eyes, but she refused to let him see her cry. "Even the ones that lie to him."

"What?" Tate acted confused, his brow furrowing.

"Cut the shit, Tate." Sunshine shook her head, desperation clawing at her for a shred of honesty. "You knew you were dead."

Tate seemed slightly taken aback. "Yeah. I knew."

"How did you die?"

"The cops shot me." He looked as if he were being lectured by his mother, his eyes flitting around the room. "Right here in this room."

"Do you know why they shot you?"

Tate shook his head. "I don't know."

"You remember those kids on Halloween?" Sunshine pressed, and he reluctantly nodded. "You killed them. You brought a gun to school and you shot them."

A tear traced its path down his cheek. "Why would I do that?"

"You tell me." Sunshine tilted her head slightly, rage simmering in her eyes.

"Why would I do that?" Tate's sobs began to heighten, each word a desperate plea. "Why would I do that? Why would I do that?"

Sunshine looked away for a moment, his tears tugging at her heart. Despite all the disgusting things he had done, she still loved him. "I don't know."

Her gaze flicked back to him. "Why'd you kill Chad and Patrick?"

Tate stood there looking defeated, hugging himself as he cried. Sunshine moved toward her dresser, stopping in front of it before pulling open the top drawer. Her fingers brushed against the black rubber mask, and she looked down at it for a moment before turning back to face him.

Tate blinked, tears streaming down his face as he stared at the mask she held out to him.

"Why did you rape me?"

"I'm sorry." His body shook with sobs as he looked at the mask. "I'm so sorry."

Sunshine huffed, disbelief flashing across her features as she tossed the mask aside. "You're sorry?" She stepped closer, narrowing her eyes. Grabbing his face with one hand, she forced him to meet her gaze. "I trusted you, Tate... you made me feel safe. But you..." She tore her hand away, her voice seething through gritted teeth. "You were the very thing I was scared of."

Sunshine stepped back, crossing her arms. "Look at you—the monster under my bed. The thing that turned my dreams into nightmares. My. Fucking. Hero."

"Sunshine, please," Tate pleaded, his voice cracking.

But she wasn't having any of it. "Why'd you do it?"

Tate looked away, avoiding her gaze.

"Tell me, Tate!" Sunshine raised her voice, frustration boiling over.

Tate closed his eyes for a brief moment, gathering himself before finally looking back at her. "I promised Nora a baby."

Sunshine let out a breath, disbelief washing over her.

Tate took a step closer, desperation etched on his face. "Sunshine, that was before I knew you."

"And that makes it any better? That makes it okay?"

Tate's shoulders slumped.

"I'm dead because of you." Sunshine stepped closer, her gaze locking onto his with pure vexation. "Our son doesn't have a mother... because of you."

Tate opened his mouth to speak, but no words emerged.

"The fact that you could stand there, watching me unravel throughout my pregnancy while knowing you were the father... Hold me after my nightmares, even though you're the one who caused them..."

Sunshine searched his eyes, her breath trembling as she spoke. "You're a fucking monster."

"Sunshine, please. I'm different now," he pleaded through his tears, yearning to reach for her but stopping himself. "You're the only light I've ever known. You've changed me, Sunny."

Sunshine swallowed hard, tears spilling down her cheeks despite her efforts to hold them back. "I want to believe that, Tate."

He dropped to his knees, desperation etched across his face. "Please... I love you. I'm so sorry."

She looked down at him, her heart aching, and knelt in front of him. Gently, she brushed his hair from his eyes, and he gazed up at her with hope. "I love you, too."

Her hands moved to cradle his face, her thumbs tracing the paths of his tears. "But I can't forgive you."

Tate's expression crumpled.

"You need to learn that there are consequences to your actions..." Sunshine whispered, tilting her head and looking deeply into his eyes. "You've caused so much pain, baby." She opened her mouth to speak again, but the words caught in her throat. Standing tall, she looked down at him. "I can't be with you. I won't."

Tate shook his head, rising to his feet in disbelief. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying go away."

"What?" Tate's voice trembled in disbelief, his eyes wide with panic. "No, no, don't do this."

"Go away, Tate." Sunshine's voice broke as more tears streamed down her cheeks.

"You're all I want! You're all I have!" he shouted, desperation lacing his cries.

"Go away!" She screamed, squeezing her eyes shut, wishing for this moment to end.

Silence enveloped the room, punctuated only by her cries. When she finally opened her eyes again, Tate was gone.

Her hand flew to her mouth as the sobs escaped uncontrollably. She instinctively clutched her now flattened stomach, as if the pressure could somehow alleviate the searing pain that gripped the space between her ribs. A gentle hand landed on her shoulder, and she turned to find Violet standing beside her.

"I'm so sorry, Sunshine," Violet said, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she fought to stay strong for her sister. Sunshine's bottom lip quivered, and before she knew it, she had collapsed into Violet's arms, burying her face in the softness of her sister's hair. Violet wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly as Sunshine unraveled.

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