hung there, s

gn

hospital window so hard it sounded angry, echoing through the quiet room. Every

way. Three years. Three years together, and now it all boiled down t

st Daniel, drawn to the hospital bed behind hi

ne

like she'd always belonged in Lola's place. Her hair - long and black - lay perfectly against the pillow, framing a face that felt almost

stomach, tracing slow circles as if guardin

t now, empty, cold. Just hours ago, there was a heartbeat. A future. She'd pict

feeding soup t

hem, almost unbearable. Van

Daniel's wife." The words sounded innocent, almost sweet, and Lola nearly laughed. Almost. But the l

her feeling exposed. Her body was still weak from the blood she'd l

lize?" Lola ask

s came soft, almost apologetic, but they landed hard. Lola's chest clenched. Daniel didn't

pale," she said, kindly. "I heard

ght, curling her fingers into fists

l stepped in. "That's enough, V

as just being polite,

. "Lola." Her name sounded suddenly formal fr

lica

er voice trembling. "You want me to sign divorce papers with your pregn

ightened. "Low

la let out a hollow laugh. "You're worried about my voice?" She touched her stomach again, bri

n hardened. "You'r

years. Three years loving him, believing she mattered. No

with guilt. Just tense. Her hand rested on her bump again. "D

snapped to

e. "My doctor warned me abo

s clear: You a

is face instantly softer. "

she was some m

"Let's not drag this out," he said quietl

lready knew, but hearing him s

she swallowed hard. "S

nt. That told

lifted again, burning wi

wned. "How

. "How long has th

on the windows. Daniel looked away, to

la, his face blank. "You

ng now. The truth mattered, even if it destroyed her. "Tell me ho

pped - but Lola caught the

drop some ugly truth. His eyes met Lola's

g en