Chapter 1
“Look at her, trapping Cain with a child just to grab attention.”
The words slid through the air smoothly, almost lazily, like the woman enjoyed how easily they landed on my back. I stopped walking, not because I wanted to, but because my body refused to move forward, my feet suddenly heavy, my fingers tightening around my clutch until the edges bit into my skin.
Another voice followed, amused, sharp.
“She really thought pregnancy would turn her into Mrs. Forever.”
A soft laugh broke out.
“I heard it was an accident. But accidents can be useful, right.”
I inhaled slowly, carefully, forcing my lungs to work even as my chest tightened painfully, my heart thudding so hard it made my ears ring. The hall felt too bright, too loud, the crystal lights overhead reflecting everywhere like they were meant to expose me, not celebrate anything.
I stood near a pillar, my back straight, my chin lifted, because I refused to look small even when my hands were cold and trembling. My palm rested over my stomach without thinking. The curve was still subtle, still something I could hide under fabric, but everyone here seemed to see it clearly anyway.
The baby shifted.
The movement was sudden and sharp, enough to make my breath hitch, a thin line of pain spreading low and deep. I swallowed and pressed my hand a little harder, my fingers splaying protectively as if I could shield us both from the eyes around me.
Then the host stepped forward, his voice smooth, trained, loud enough to cut through the chatter.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here tonight. We have someone very special to welcome back.”
The room leaned in as one.
“She’s finally back.”
Applause exploded, loud and eager, filling the space like a wave crashing over my head.b
My vision blurred at the edges. My ears rang. My chest tightened so fast it felt like my ribs were folding inward.
She walked in through the doors like time had waited for her.
Leah.
Her name moved through the crowd almost as quickly as she did.
“Leah’s back.”
“She looks even better.”
“No wonder Cain never forgot her.”
She wore white, soft and effortless, her hair shining under the lights, her smile calm and confident, the kind that came from knowing she would always be welcomed. Her heels clicked steadily against the floor, each step sure, each movement graceful, like she belonged here in a way I never had.
Cain was beside her.
My husband.
He leaned slightly toward her as they walked, his hand hovering close to her back, not touching, but ready, familiar. His face looked relaxed, pleased, open in a way I had not seen directed at me in a long time.
Something inside my chest gave a small, sharp crack.
I took a step forward before I could stop myself. Then another. The floor felt unstable beneath my feet, my knees weak, my stomach heavy.
When I reached him, I lifted my hand, just a little. Not dramatic. Not desperate. I only wanted to touch him. To remind him I was there. To remind myself I still existed beside him.
My fingers brushed his sleeve.
Cain reacted instantly.
He shook my hand off.
Not gently. Not carefully.
His arm jerked away like my touch irritated him, like it was an interruption he had not planned for. The movement was rough enough that my fingers stung.
My hand stayed suspended in the air for half a second, my fingers curled uselessly, before I let it fall back to my side. Heat rushed into my face. My skin burned. My chest tightened until my breath came shallow and uneven.
He did not look at me. Not even once.
Someone near me muttered, not bothering to hide it.
“Did you see that.”
Another woman replied, louder.
“She really has no shame.”
A few people laughed quietly. Not loud enough to call it cruelty. But Loud enough to make sure I heard.
I forced my shoulders back, forced my spine straight, even as my hands shook at my sides. My stomach twisted hard, nausea rising into my throat.
I looked at Cain.
He was already focused on Leah again.
She leaned closer to him, her hand brushing his arm lightly, and he smiled, not politely, not stiffly, but warmly, the corners of his eyes crinkling just a little.
It was a smile I remembered.
A smile that once belonged to me.
Back when I still believed promises meant protection.
My breathing went uneven. My chest hurt and my fingers dug into my clutch again, grounding me through the pain biting into my palms.
A memory pushed in without permission.
White walls. A clean room. The smell of disinfectant. The doctor’s voice gentle and careful.
“You’re pregnant.”
Hope had rushed through me too fast, too bright. I had turned to Cain without thinking.
His jaw had tightened.
“This is unexpected.”
Not congratulations. Not happiness. Just that.
The memory blurred, broke apart. I did not let it go further. I could not afford to.
Someone’s voice dragged me back.
“See how he looks at her.”
Another voice answered.
“That’s what love looks like. Not whatever this is.”
Her eyes flicked openly to my stomach.
My skin burned. My throat tightened until swallowing hurt. I shifted my weight, my knees threatening to buckle.
I stepped forward again.
“Cain,” I said.
My voice sounded steadier than I felt.
He turned this time, irritation flashing briefly across his face before he smoothed it away.
“Yes,” he said calmly. “What is it?”
The calm made it worse.
People were watching now. I could feel it. The room felt smaller, tighter, every breath thick.
“They’re saying things,” I said quietly. “About the baby. About me.”
He glanced around once, then leaned closer, his voice dropping.
“You’re sensitive because of the pregnancy,” he said. “You shouldn’t let comments affect you like this.”
His eyes hardened for just a second.
“Stress isn’t good for the baby,” he added. “You should control your emotions.”
Control.
Like this was something I was choosing.
My chest hurt. My hands trembled. A dull ache spread low in my stomach, heavier now, wrong.
“Can you tell them to stop,” I asked. “Just say something.”
His jaw tightened.
“Mara,” he said evenly, “this isn’t the time. Don’t make a scene. People are watching.”
The words emptied me.
Something slipped loose inside my chest, quiet but final.
Behind him, Leah watched silently. Her head tilted slightly, her lips curved in a slow, knowing smile. She looked calm. Certain. Like she was already standing on ground she knew belonged to her.
Pain stabbed through my stomach suddenly, sharp enough that my breath broke. I bent slightly without meaning to, my hand flying back to my stomach, my fingers shaking as I pressed down. My vision swam and Sweat broke out along my spine.
I felt it then.
Something was wrong.
As I lifted my head slowly, fighting the dizziness, Leah met my eyes.
And she smiled.