Chapter 2

The doctor looked up at me.

I gave a small smile. "Don't worry, I'm asking."

As I walked out of the exam room, Edward finally called.

I picked up, but before I could say a word, I heard Samantha giggling in the background.

"Mr. Carter, the oatmeal's too hot. Can you blow on it for me?" she teased.

Edward replied in a low voice, "Quit fooling around."

Then he finally asked me, "Did you finish your checkup?"

"Yeah," I said.

"What did the doctor say?" he asked.

I looked at the report in my hand. "She said my husband should spend more time with me."

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Then Edward's voice went cold. "Grace, don't use that to guilt-trip me. I really can't leave today."

I didn't say anything.

He added, "Samantha's stomach is acting up again, and she's all alone at the office. I can't ignore her. You have the driver with you, don't you?"

My fingers slowly tightened around the paper, creasing it even more.

"Edward, today was our baby's very first heartbeat check," I said.

"I know," he replied.

His tone grew impatient. "But the baby's fine, isn't it? Stop making such a big deal out of everything."

I suddenly couldn't say a word.

Turns out, as long as the baby's okay, he figures he doesn't have to be here.

And if I'm okay, I guess he doesn't need to be here for me, either.

On the other end, Samantha whispered, "Is Mrs. Carter mad? Maybe you should go be with her. I'll be okay."

Edward immediately lowered his voice. "Lie down and rest."

Then he said to me, "Grace, be reasonable."

Hearing that, my eyes stung.

He hadn't called me Grace in ages.

But this time, he only said it to get me to give in.

I folded the checkup report and slipped it into my bag.

"Okay," I said.

Edward sounded relieved. "I'll be home for dinner tonight."

"Okay," I said.

Before I hung up, I heard Samantha say with a laugh, "Mr. Carter, your wife is so easy to handle."

The call ended.

I stood in the hospital hallway, my hand pressed to my stomach.

It felt so empty, almost weightless.

But suddenly, it felt like I couldn't hold on to it anymore.

By nine o'clock, Edward still hadn't come home.

At ten, Samantha sent me a photo.

The old shirt had been washed and was now neatly folded on the edge of her bed, as if it belonged there all along.

She sent me a voice message.

Samantha said in the voice message, [Mrs. Carter, I washed the shirt, but honestly, I'm a little reluctant to give it back now.]

She added, [Mr. Carter said you wouldn't mind, right?]

I sat at the dining table, staring at the cold soup.

I'd made that soup for Edward.

Whenever he came home from those late-night business dinners with a stomachache, he wouldn't go to bed without having a bowl first.

I picked up my phone and sent him a message.

I texted: [Tell her I want my shirt back tomorrow.]

Half an hour later, he replied.

Edward replied: [It's just a shirt. Don't make a big deal out of it.]

I stared at those words and gave a short, bitter laugh.

Just a shirt.

But to me, that shirt was the last proof he still remembered me.

I got up and poured the soup down the sink.

The bowl slipped from my hand, hit the side of the sink, and broke clean in half.

Edward walked in just as I was picking up the pieces.

He frowned and came over. "Can't you be more careful?"

I looked up at him.

There was a faint trace of women's perfume on him.

But it wasn't my scent.

I clenched the shards tightly in my hand, and a sharp piece sliced my palm open.

Blood began to seep out, slow and bright red.

Edward's expression shifted. "Let go."

I didn't let go.

He reached over and forced my fingers open, snatching the broken pieces from my hand. His voice was rough, frustration leaking through. "Grace, you're pregnant. Can you please stop making such a fuss?"

I saw how anxious he was, and for a second, I felt a little pang in my chest.

But it faded just as quickly.

Then, Samantha's call came through.

Edward glanced at the screen and answered right away.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Mr. Carter, the power's out at my place. I'm scared," Samantha sobbed.

Edward's grip on my wrist loosened.