Chapter 5

Ethan didn't come back on the third day.

I just sat there, motionless on the couch, as day turned into night and night faded into dawn.

My phone rang. Over and over.

Then the battery died, and for the first time in days, the world went quiet.

On the eighth day of the new year, my birthday, I found myself sitting outside the operating room. I finally picked up my phone and called him.

He answered almost immediately.

"Sophia? You're finally calling me back? Still giving me the silent treatment, huh? I've been swamped with work, I haven't had time to come home."

"This job's triple pay, alright? Can you not guilt-trip me for once? You've been ignoring my calls and texts like I'm some stranger. Look, if this marriage isn't working for you, let's just call it. Divorce, whatever. I don't have the time or energy to keep babying you every time you throw a tantrum!"

His voice by the end? Cold. Dismissive.

Like I was just another problem on his to-do list.

I didn't react. I kept my voice even, almost detached.

"Ethan… do you remember what day it is today?"

Silence.

Not that it mattered anymore. I wiped away the tears and kept going.

"It's okay if you forgot. You won't have to remember again. Ethan, when you get back, let's get a divorce."

For a second, I thought he'd hung up.

But then his voice came through, sharp, defensive.

"Oh, come on, Sophia. Seriously? Is this another stunt to make me come home? Why do you always have to take it there? Why can't you just be reasonable?"

"You think pulling this dramatic crap is gonna work on me? I hate it when you act like this. I'll come home when you decide to stop being ridiculous."

I let out a bitter laugh and stared at my screen. The notifications had piled up.

Messages. Photos.

They were from Luna's alternate account.

She'd sent me everything over the past few days. Every chat log. Every date. Every moment from the day they met until now.

Four years.

He'd spent nine out of ten of his "overtime" shifts with her.

And me?

I was the idiot who stayed up late making him dinner. Who believed him even when I saw that hickey on his neck. Told myself it was probably just a mosquito bite.

I trusted him completely.

He lied to me effortlessly.

Ethan… this isn't fair.

If you don't love me anymore, why won't you let me go?

"Ethan, I'm serious this time."

"When you get back… it's over."

Just then, the nurse came out, clipboard in hand. Her voice echoed into the phone.

"Sophia Williams? Sophia Williams? You're next for the scheduled abortion."