Chapter 2

I didn't say a word to Daisy Carter. Didn't wait for her questions, her sympathy, or her concern.

I just got in my car and drove home. Alone.

The second I pulled into the driveway, my phone buzzed. A message from Ethan.

Ethan Thompson:

"Sophia, something urgent came up at work. I won't make it home for New Year's Eve dinner."

I stared at the screen.

One second. Two.

Then my phone lit up again, this time, a call.

I answered.

His voice came through, clipped and irritated.

"Sophia, don't start acting out over something so small, okay? I've been patient with your mood swings a couple times, but don't expect me to keep putting up with them. Just calm down and be reasonable."

"I'm working late to provide for this baby. You should be grateful. And didn't the hospital call you in too? So what are you even upset about?"

His tone made it sound like he was the one being wronged.

Like I was the burden.

But this wasn't new.

Back when I was only two months along, barely able to keep food down, he'd lost it.

He slammed the takeout container on the table so hard the soup spilled everywhere.

"It's just pregnancy, Sophia. Women deal with this all the time. Why are you the only one acting like it's some terminal illness? Are you faking this just to cling to me?"

I remember sitting on the floor, shaking, too nauseous to speak.

All I'd asked for was a glass of warm water.

His response?

"It's the middle of the night. What do you expect me to do, boil a pot just for you? What's wrong with cold water like a normal person?"

And then, always the same line.

"If you can't handle being pregnant, maybe you shouldn't be. We can still end this."

Looking back, I finally saw it for what it was.

He hadn't been tired. Or stressed. Or momentarily cruel.

He meant every damn word.

How tragic is that?

How stupid was I?

There was a long pause on the line. I could tell he was getting annoyed that I wasn't responding.

His breath hitched like he was gearing up to snap.

Before he could, I spoke. Voice quiet. Calm.

"Fine. I won't wait up."

And I hung up.