Chapter 3

The next morning, Miles called the change "a practical decision."

He packed sweaters while explaining that I had developed back pain and was overseeing a year-end launch at work.

"You could have asked me."

"If I had asked, you would have forced yourself to go. Then everyone would have spent the whole trip worrying about you."

He wanted credit for excluding me.

I asked him to cancel the charge to my card. He refused, claiming the hotel would keep the deposit and his mother deserved one peaceful holiday.

When I froze the card, he stared at me as though I had stolen from him.

"Do you understand what you are doing to my family?"

"I am preventing you from charging your vacation with Serena to me."

His mother came downstairs and accused me of punishing an old woman because I was jealous of a divorced woman.

I did not argue.

I went to my prenatal appointment alone, as I had for the last three months. Miles had missed one visit because Serena's car would not start, another because she needed help reviewing her lease, and a third because his mother wanted him to drive her to lunch.

That afternoon, my doctor warned that stress was raising my blood pressure. She asked whether I had support at home.

For the first time, I answered honestly.

"No."

From the parking lot, I called an attorney. Then I toured a furnished apartment near the hospital and signed a short-term lease.

The apartment was smaller than our guest room. It had one bedroom, a narrow kitchen, and an elevator that smelled faintly of laundry detergent. It was also twelve minutes from the hospital, required a key at the lobby, and belonged to no one but me for the next six months.

I stood in the empty bedroom and pictured a bassinet beside the window. For the first time all morning, my breathing slowed.

At home, I packed documents, medication, work equipment, and the baby's essentials. I moved quietly while Miles and his mother finished packing upstairs.

Miles texted from the bedroom.

"I know you are upset. We will talk when I get back. Please do not ruin Christmas over this."

A minute later, another message arrived.

"I know you will be reasonable in the end."

I saved both messages and slipped the keys to my new apartment into my bag.

He knew the woman I used to be very well.

But the woman waiting for him after this vacation would not be her.