Chapter 3

The smell of disinfectant in the ward was suffocating. I lowered my head slightly, letting the loose hair over my forehead hide the malice surging in my eyes.

"David, I've thought it through," I said. I wiped at nonexistent tears with the back of my hand. My voice was hoarse and broken, full of cold despair.

"As long as you cut ties with Emily, we can live like before for the child's sake, all right?" I asked.

David was sitting on the sofa peeling an apple. His fingers paused, and the thin strip of peel fell onto his trouser leg.