Chapter 5

The first cramp came before the plane had finished climbing.

I pressed one hand against my stomach and waited for it to pass.

It didn’t.

Pain tightened low in my abdomen, sharp enough to steal my breath. Around me, people adjusted their seats, opened laptops, complained about the weak signal.

No one knew I had left a hospital less than three hours ago.

No one knew my husband was probably standing in my empty room, looking at the wedding ring I had left behind.

Another cramp came.

Warmth spread between my legs.

I looked down.

Blood had soaked through the…