. He had a small bottle in his hand. My prenatal vitamins. H

" he asked, his

y chest. This was it.

pregnan

ther. I saw the calculation in his eyes. He wasn't thinkin

s smooth, reasonable. "My family... it would be a complication. But don't worry. I'

st. The casual cruelty of it stole my breath. He didn't want our ba

ant," I said,

ns to my face. "What? Don't lie to

me. "I went to a clinic today. It was a false posit

ression shifted. The cold, calculating man disappeared, r

sper. He sat on the bed and pulled me into his arms. "

ng my hair, murmuring sweet things into my ear. It felt

u mean what you said at the club? Do y

hat if I pushed, this fragile illusion of warmth would shatter

scare" and promise to take better care of me. I le

. "Get some sleep. Yo

s arms, I had never felt more awake. Or more alone. The chasm between