Chapter 2

Daniel did not explain what he meant right away.

He escorted Sophie to the guest room and closed the door for her, as if she were the person in this house most in need of protection.

I asked whether her boyfriend had abandoned her. Daniel dodged every question about the baby's father. He only insisted that Sophie had been through enough that day and that not everything needed to be settled tonight.

Tonight was supposed to be our anniversary.

The restaurant's confirmation message was still on my phone. The baby socks were still hidden at the bottom of my purse. I had imagined Daniel holding me when he saw them. Maybe even crying.

Now I was simply grateful I had never taken the gift box out.

I asked when he had learned about Sophie's pregnancy. He admitted he had known for months. She had been afraid of her family's reaction, he said, so she had told only him.

"A pregnant student didn't turn to a friend or a doctor. Her first choice was her male professor?"

Daniel's jaw tightened. "Do you have to make helping someone sound so sordid?"

He attacked my tone because he could not answer my question.

I canceled our reservation and went upstairs to wash off the makeup I had put on for our anniversary dinner.

The woman in the mirror was pale, but she did not cry.

At eleven that night, I heard muffled sobs from the guest room.

Daniel rose from the side of our bed.

"She might not be feeling well. I'll check on her."

"Tell her to call the baby's father."

"What she needs right now is someone who can calm her down."

"And that person has to be you?"

Daniel walked out without answering.

Forty minutes passed. He did not return.

I put on a robe and went to the guest room. The door was ajar, and a small lamp glowed inside.

"I'm scared," Sophie said. "What will happen after the baby is born?"

"I won't let either of you end up without a home."

"You were supposed to be with Rachel tonight."

After a brief silence, Daniel said, "She'll understand."

"And if she doesn't?"

"She'll never leave me."

His voice was calm. Almost arrogant.

I pushed the door open.

Daniel was sitting on the edge of the bed with one hand spread over Sophie's swollen belly. Her hand lay on top of his.

They both turned to look at me.

Daniel stood first. "Why were you eavesdropping?"

"I wanted to know why my husband was sitting beside his student's bed in the middle of the night with his hand on her stomach."

"She was having cramps."

"Then take her to the hospital."

"The doctor said it was only stress."

"You even know what her doctor said."

Anger flashed in Daniel's eyes. "Enough. You don't get to take your jealousy out on Sophie just because you've never been able to get pregnant."

The words were a needle driven straight into the place where I hurt most.

My hand instinctively covered my belly, then dropped before he noticed.

He did not know.

He was using infertility to humiliate the wife who was carrying his child.

"Get out," I told Sophie.

She did not move. She only looked at Daniel.

That single glance was more intimate than any explanation. She was waiting for my husband to decide for her.

And, just as I expected, Daniel stepped in front of her.

"She can't leave tonight."

"This is my house."

"It's my home, too."

"Then tell me who fathered the baby inside her."

The room fell silent.

Then Sophie suddenly grabbed Daniel's hand.

"I can't take this anymore," she said through her tears. "You can't keep lying to her."

Daniel snapped her name.

But she did not stop.

"The baby is Daniel's."

I looked at my husband and waited for him to deny it.

He looked away.

"Rachel, we can talk about this."

"I'm asking one thing. Is it true?"

Daniel was silent for a moment before he finally nodded.

"Yes."

One word ended a nine-year marriage.

I ordered Sophie to leave. Once again, Daniel shielded her behind him.

"She's pregnant. She can't take any more stress."

I looked at him, my voice strangely calm.

"What about me?"

Daniel did not hesitate.

"You're not the one who needs my protection most right now."