Chapter 3

Eric didn't come home that night.

He showed up the next afternoon, dragging himself through the door.

He saw me, his face darkened, and he headed straight for the shower.

"Eric," I called out to him, my voice hoarse from crying, but strangely calm.

He stopped but didn't turn around. "I said I'll pay the money back. Your mom's not even using the meds yet. Can't you just drop it?"

I walked up to him.

As I stood there, I caught a faint whiff of Sophia's perfume on his clothes. "I called your assistant last night. Your dinner was wrapped up at nine."

Eric's face changed. "Jessica, you're checking up on me?!"

"Were you at Sophia's place last night? Using my mom's lifesaving money to comfort your dear sister-in-law?"

I held out my hand, my voice icy. "Give me the money back. Now. Immediately."

He looked like a stepped-on tail. He violently brushed my hand away, his face full of disgust. "What nonsense are you talking? Sophia's had it hard enough. Can't you be less vile? She just wants a place to call home."

"I just want my mom to live." The fury and hurt I'd bottled up all night exploded.

I screamed, my whole body trembling. "Eric, the doctor said my mom's condition won't wait. In your eyes, your sister-in-law's apartment is more important than my mom's life?"

My outburst seemed to startle him, but it only made him more irritable. "Look at yourself right now. What's the difference between you and a shrew?"

"A shrew?" I could hardly believe my ears. "You took my mom's lifesaving money to shower on another woman, and I can't even ask for it back?!"

He sneered. "I work hard to provide, deal with clients all day, and come home to your miserable face. I've had enough."

Just then, my phone rang. A FaceTime call.

The name flashing on the screen was Sophia.

Eric saw it too.

His face paled, and he instinctively reached for my phone.

I jerked back.

Right in front of him, I quickly hit 'Accept'.

The video connected. Sophia was lounging lazily against the headboard. The collar of her silk pajamas was slightly open. Red marks were visible underneath.

Seeing Eric standing behind me, a flicker of triumph passed through her eyes. Her voice was soft and sugary. "Jessica, I heard you and Eric had a blow-up? Gosh, it's all my fault."

She paused deliberately, her gaze lingering tenderly on Eric. "Eric just wants to help me and my child. We'll pay the money back. It's just... my son's about to start school. The deadline for the school district apartment is tight."

Eric frowned and cut in, "Sophia, forget about paying back for now, we'll talk later."

"Eric." Sophia's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. "Are my son and I a burden to you? Causing fights between you and Jessica... If that's the case, we'll move out right away."

"That's not what I meant." Eric hurriedly explained, unconsciously taking a step closer to the screen.

Watching this scene, my heart felt frozen solid.

Just a few days ago, Eric was lying with his ear pressed to my belly, laughing goofily at the kicks. "Babe, the baby's kicking me! Must be a strong, healthy kid.

"When the baby comes, I'm gonna be the best dad. Give them the whole world."

My voice trembled. "Eric, do you even remember you're going to be a father?"

Sophia suddenly chimed in, her tone dripping with fake concern. "That's right, Jessica, Eric's going to be a dad. You're five months along. You really shouldn't get so upset.

"Eric was just trying to do right by us. You should try to understand him."

She touched her neck, revealing a suggestive smile. "After all, he's been taking care of us for years now. He'll have plenty of experience for fatherhood."

"Sophia," I snapped sharply. "Have you no shame? Flaunting yourself after taking my mother's lifesaving money!"

Eric rushed forward, trying to grab me. "Jessica, calm down. Stop yelling at her."

I shoved his hand away, pointing at Sophia on the screen. "You get that money back from her today. That's my mom's lifesaving money."

In the video, Sophia suddenly clutched her chest.

Her voice took on a weepy tone. "Eric, my heart... it hurts so bad. I can't breathe."

Eric instinctively turned back and looked at the screen.

He hesitated.

In that split second, dizzy with anger, I lost my footing.

He reached out frantically to grab me, but accidentally shoved hard against my shoulder.

"Ah!" I yelped in pain.

I stumbled, crashing into the edge of the coffee table. A tearing, sharp pain shot through my abdomen.

"Jessica!" Eric's face went white. He tried to help me up.

In the video, Sophia's cries grew louder. "Eric, I can't breathe... I need you."

"Get away from me!" I pushed his helping hand away with all my strength, cold sweat instantly soaking my back.

Cramps twisted in my lower belly, but I refused to show them.

Eric stood frozen.

Looking at me, curled up in pain, then at the screen where Sophia was pretending to be frail, his eyes conflicted.

Finally, he gritted his teeth. "Jessica, you... just rest for a bit. Sophia's situation seems serious. I'll be back soon to check on you."

With that, he actually turned and stormed out, slamming the door shut.

The loud bang echoed through the empty room, shattering the last shred of hope I had for this marriage.

I slumped to the floor, my back against the cold wall, all strength gone.

Tears streamed down silently, but I felt no sadness.

All I felt was a bone-deep exhaustion and chill.

Eight years of love, five years of marriage. So fragile, in the end.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I called my best friend, Maggie Lane. "Mags, can you take me to the hospital?"

Maggie arrived quickly. Seeing how pale I was, she was terrified.

On the way to the hospital, the pain had me sweating and dizzy. Maggie was frantic, crying.

At the hospital, the doctor examined me, his face grim. "The fetus is in severe distress. We need to operate immediately."

Lying on the hospital bed, I felt numb, hollowed out. "Doctor."

I asked softly, "After the procedure... can I have the fetal remains?"

The doctor looked startled, then nodded.

The surgery was quick. When I woke up, it was all over.

Maggie sat by my bed, her eyes red. "Jessica..."

I touched my flat stomach. No more familiar kicks.

"Maggie, please gather all the surgical reports and the medical records for me. And... that little jar," I added, voice still unwavering.

Maggie's hands shook as she handed it to me. "Jess, are you really..."

"I want him to remember forever." I stared out the window, my voice as cold as ice. "How he killed his own child with his own hands."

I packed everything into a cardboard box. On top, I placed a note.

[Eric, I hope you never forget. You killed him with your own hands today.]