Chapter 1

Three months into my pregnancy, thanks to those pregnancy hormones, I'd gotten a whole lot chunkier.

At a family dinner, I heard Ryan Humphrey, my husband's cousin, call me a "fat goose."

I felt totally crushed, but Andrew Humphrey, my husband, stood there like he didn't care at all.

"Did you not hear that? Your cousin insulted your wife!' I snapped at him.

Andrew didn't bother to look up. "It's a joke. Try not to be so sensitive and ruin the fun."

Later, I found out that nasty nickname actually came from Ainsley Goodwin, the woman who grew up with Andrew.

So, I started packing my bags, ready to head back to my parents' place.

He totally blew up. "Why are you being so dramatic? Because you're pregnant, you think you can throw your weight around and act like you run the show? I'm not putting up with your crap."

I wasn't upset or angry. All I felt was a cold, clear-headed resolve.

I couldn't believe that after all that careful choosing, I'd ended up marrying a total jerk who didn't know the first thing about respect.

I didn't hesitate for a second. I was getting a divorce and ending the pregnancy.

It wasn't too late to cut my losses.

*****

The moment "fat goose" hit my ears, I banged my cup of water hard on the table.

The laughter in the booth hadn't faded yet.

I looked up at the one who'd started all the commotion. "Which idiot was spouting garbage just now? Say it again to my face, if you have the guts."

Everyone at the table froze.

The next second, Ainsley's tears started flowing out of nowhere.

She ducked behind Andrew, her voice dripping with syrupy sweetness. "Drew, I didn't expect Grace to get this upset. We're always messing around like this. Is it that Grace never liked me?"

She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand as she spoke.

Andrew immediately stepped forward, shielding her behind him. "Grace, are you crazy? You're scaring Ainsley."

I stared at him. "Oh, really? I'm the one who got insulted and humiliated, but you're worried about her?"

Andrew frowned, his voice already laced with impatience. "It was a joke. Do you really have to blow this out of proportion?"

"A joke?" I jabbed a finger at Ainsley. "Wasn't it her who came up with that nickname? She can call me that behind my back, but now she can't even own up to it?"

"Enough!" Andrew slammed his hand on the table. "Will you stop already? Ainsley's always been kind and friendly. There's no way she'd ever try to insult you on purpose."

Ainsley clung to his sleeve, sobbing softly. "Drew, don't fight with Grace over me. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have run my mouth like that.

"Grace, I'm really sorry. I just thought you looked all soft and adorable since you got pregnant."

Adorable?

I nearly laughed out loud.

Calling a pregnant woman an animal and then tossing in "adorable" and then the nastiest insults became a cute joke.

Ryan jumped in to smooth things over. "Grace, Ainsley already apologized. Can you drop it? It's a family dinner. You don't wanna make things awkward for everyone, right?"

Carly Humphrey, Andrew's mother, set her fork down. "Gracie, we know pregnancy can make you a little moody, and we totally get it. But Ainsley's been like a daughter to me. We watched her grow up. She really means well."

I turned to Carly. "So, you think I should put up with this?"

Carly avoided my gaze.

Andrew's father, Nasir Humphrey, cleared his throat. "Harmony at home is the key to everything. Gracie, don't let yourself get upset, especially now. You're pregnant."

What a classy way to put it.

Not one of them cared if I was hurt, angry, or plain miserable. All they cared about was me ruining their good time.

Andrew, now that he had everyone backing him up, got more aggressive. "Did you hear that? Everyone thinks you're blowing things way out of proportion.

"Grace, can't you get a grip? Stop acting like the world has to revolve around you because you're pregnant. Apologize to Ainsley and let's be done with it."

He wanted me to apologize to the one who thought humiliating me was a joke.

I looked at the man in front of me, shielding another woman, at Ainsley standing behind him with that pitiful look, and at every face around the table. These were faces I used to know, but now I felt like they were strangers.

My stomach churned. It wasn't morning sickness. It was the people who made me sick.

I grabbed my bag.

Andrew grabbed my wrist. "Where are you going?"

"Away from all of you," I shot back.

His face darkened. "Grace, don't mistake my patience for weakness."

I yanked my wrist free. "Andrew, save your patience for your precious childhood sweetheart. I don't want any part of it. It's filthy to me."