purse. Jessica had found a place on the other side of town, away from any neighborhood Liam or h

l room and performed an ultrasound. I braced myself, turning my head aw

clicked off the machine. I held my breath,

her voice gentle. "There'

nfused. "What

not pr

er at first. "But the t

re irregular, which likely caused the positive result and the other symptoms you've be

started this morning, a dull ach

knocked me over washed through me. It was a miracle

clinic into the bright afternoon sun. The world seemed sharper

a as soon as I

nt, Jess. It wa

ard doesn't deserve you or a kid. Did you

behalf was a s

aid quietly

ng to do now? Are you

not being pregnant was so overwhelmi

r call. Liam' s name flashed on the sc

," I told

nswer it

ould stop myself. Maybe he was calling to apologize.

oice was cold, clipped

said, my ow

artment. Get b

nstantly. Still, a part of me, the weak part that still loved him, obeyed. I told

is mouth was on mine, hard and demanding. It wasn' t a kiss of passio

nds rough on my body. I didn't resist.

ad taken what he wanted without a single word about the other night. I wasn't a person to him. I was just a body, a thing he cou