Chapter 3

That camera belonged to my father. Before the trip, I had put on a new lens. I wanted to capture Andrew's face when he learned I was pregnant.

"Andrew, what gives you the right to touch my things?" I asked.

His frown deepened. His voice hardened. "I'm trying to keep you from staring at those photos and getting stuck in your feelings. Olivia, I'm trying to protect you.

"You used to be reasonable. But now? You latch onto things. You won't let them go. It's not good for you."

Charlotte stood behind him, sniffling. "Andrew, maybe I should pay. I'll sell my snowmobile if I have to. I don't want her thinking I'm using you to take advantage of her."

"Don't start." Andrew turned and wiped her tears. The tenderness in his eyes was impossible to hide.

When he turned back to me, there was only impatience. "See? She's sorry. Tonight everyone's throwing you a make-up birthday dinner. Show up. Don't let people think you can't take a joke."

The hotel fixed my phone and sent it up. When it turned on, dozens of messages popped up at once.

In the group chat, Andrew had posted from my account.

Olivia: [I was a coward yesterday and ruined everyone's fun. I'm sorry.]

Below it were laughing emojis. Charlotte had even replied.

Charlotte: [It's okay. Next time, I'll take you somewhere gentler.]

"Who gave you permission to use my phone?"

Andrew's tone was calm. "Messages kept coming while you were asleep. I didn't want people to worry. The password was our anniversary. I tried it once, and it opened."

In the chat history, the doctor's post-op reminder had been deleted.

My bank account showed a transfer of sixty thousand dollars. The recipient was Charlotte.

Andrew caught my look and explained before I could ask. "Three snowmobiles from the club were damaged. Charlotte covered the cost.

"I transferred the money from our wedding account. I'll put it back when we're home."

That sixty thousand was the wedding fund I had saved over five years.

"They wrecked the snowmobiles dragging me behind them. Why am I paying?"

Andrew sighed. "If you hadn't struggled, the snowmobile wouldn't have flipped."

The elevator reached the top floor. Cheers went up outside. Charlotte pushed open the banquet hall doors.

At the far end of the table sat a cake. Someone had written across the frosting, "Congrats, coward. Happy fresh start."

The rest of the group crowded around to toast me. Nobody asked about my injuries. Every word was a jab.

Someone mimicked how I had begged in the snow. Someone else laughed and said Andrew was marrying a fragile little thing. He'd have to be careful on their wedding night. One wrong move, and I'd fall apart.

Charlotte came over with a glass of wine. "Olivia, consider this my apology. After this, we're good."

Andrew took the glass from her hand and pressed warm water into it. "Drink this."

That was him. He'd stop one drink and call it protection, as if it canceled out every time he stood by and let someone hurt me.

"I'm not drinking," I said.

"Don't be difficult." He held my shoulder, his voice still gentle. "Everyone took time off work to chase the aurora with us. You can't make them all look bad over one accident."

Charlotte rubbed her eyes. "Forget it, Andrew. Olivia hates me. I'll go."

She grabbed her coat and ran out to the terrace. Andrew went after her.

Outside, the wind was howling, and the snow was coming down hard. Charlotte climbed over the railing and stood on the other side. She was sobbing that she was just in the way, that she shouldn't be here at all.

Andrew pulled her into his arms. "Charlotte, what the hell are you doing?"

She sobbed against his chest. "I just wanted to test her courage for you. She doesn't deserve you. I was worried for you. We used to have so much fun.

"Ever since you got with her, you have to go home early even on New Year's Eve."

Andrew patted her back and comforted her softly. "I know you meant well."

Through the glass door, I heard every word. I turned and left.

The elevator hadn't come yet. Andrew caught up behind me. "Olivia, stop."

"Give me my passport."

"It's below zero Fahrenheit out there. Where are you going to go?" he asked.

"The police station. The hospital. The airport."

Andrew grabbed my wrist and dragged me back to the lounge. "Don't make me do this the hard way."

"You have no right to keep my passport."

"I'm your fiancé. I can't just watch you risk your health out of spite," he replied.

The door locked behind us.

Andrew put the passport in his inner pocket and leaned down to look at me. "We'll talk when you've calmed down."

I raised my hand to slap him. He caught my wrist in midair.

"Are you done?" He didn't get angry, but his eyes were full of exasperation. "Olivia, you used to be so understanding. Why do you get so sharp and jealous whenever Charlotte is involved? This isn't you."

Charlotte's crying came from outside. Andrew turned without thinking.

While he was distracted, I pulled my hand free and went for his pocket.

He caught my wrist. My bag swung open between us. The hospital envelope slid out. Test results and surgical records scattered across the floor. A pregnancy report landed at Charlotte's feet.

She looked down and saw the words early intrauterine pregnancy. Her face changed at once. "You're pregnant?"

Andrew whipped around.