Chapter 4

When Jason got home, the small nightlight in the nursery was still on.

Soft light fell across the brand-new crib, made up with sheets I had washed and dried myself.

The hospital bag sat open on the couch, folded with tiny onesies and diapers.

My prenatal file was still on the entryway shelf.

A sticky note was pinned to the kitchen table — a list of postpartum meals I had written out in advance.

Jason changed his shoes and stood in the silence of the apartment, frowning.

He probably expected to find me on the couch waiting for him, eyes red, demanding to know why he had saved Mia first.

But the only sound in the apartment was the ticking of the wall clock.

He walked to the kitchen table and picked up the sticky note.

On the back, in my handwriting, was an emergency birth plan.

"If I hemorrhage, please prioritize saving the baby."

"If I don't make it off the table, please tell Jason — don't let Mia anywhere near our child."

Jason let out a cold laugh, crumpled the note, and dropped it in the trash.

"Always with the dramatic threats."

He took out his phone and tried my number again.

A recorded voice told him it was out of service.

He opened Instagram and typed hard.

"You've made your point. Come home. The due date is any day now — don't do this with your body."

"I handled the situation with Mia. She's just a patient. Let it go."

"Once the baby's here, you can take your maternity leave at home. Actually, it would be a good time to spend some time with Mia — help her with some of her anxiety."

He sent the messages. No response.

Jason tossed his phone on the couch and pressed his fingers to his temple.

His other phone rang.

The caller ID showed Dr. Helen — my mentor from medical school, the woman who had always treated me like a daughter.

Jason answered and slipped back into his usual formal tone. "Dr. Helen. What can I do for you?"

"Jason, where are you right now?"

Dr. Helen's voice was shaking. She was holding something back.

Jason glanced at the crumpled note in the trash and assumed I had put her up to this.

"I'm home. If she sent you to plead her case, there's no need."

"If she wants me to come to her, she can walk back here herself. She's about to be a mother — she's too old for this kind of thing."

A sharp intake of breath on the other end.

"Too old for this? Jason, do you have any idea what happened last night?"

"Of course I do." His voice dropped. "Mia had an episode and accidentally hurt her. I made sure Mia apologized. What more does she want?"

"If she feels wronged, I'll buy her that jewelry set she's been looking at once the baby's born. Consider it made up."

"You have no heart."

Dr. Helen's voice broke into a shout.

"I look the other way when you favor that woman — fine. But last night was her due date! You—"

Before she could finish, Jason's second phone lit up.

A video call from Mia.

Jason didn't hesitate. He ended Dr. Helen's call and switched over.

Mia's face filled the screen, streaked with tears.

"Jason, come quick! I dreamed about her!"

"She had a knife — she said she was going to kill me! I'm so scared!"

Jason was already on his feet, keys in hand.

"Don't be scared. I'm on my way."

At the door, his eyes landed on a small velvet box, wrapped neatly on the side table.

He had picked it up the week before at a medical conference — a sterling silver baby bracelet, an impulse buy.

Engraved on it was the nickname he'd offhandedly chosen: "Annie."

He had probably meant it as a peace offering for after the delivery.

He dropped it in his pocket and pulled the door shut behind him.

By the time Jason reached the hospital room, Mia was pressed into the corner of the bed, pointing at the window and screaming.

"She's here! She's holding the baby and she came for me!"

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