The sound of the gunshot was so loud it felt like the world shattered.

A burning, ripping pain exploded through my stomach. My breath caught in my throat. I didn’t even have time to scream before my knees buckled. The floor rushed up to meet me, and everything spun into a blur of colors and light.

For a split second, I didn’t understand what had happened. Then the warmth spread — fast, terrifying, wet — and my hands flew instinctively to my belly.

My babies.

A sharp gasp tore from ...