Chapter 2

He saw my red eyes and reached for me.

I smelled it on him. Something faint and sour.

I shoved him back and ran to the bathroom, doubled over the sink.

"Babe!"

He was right behind me. The second his hand touched my back I flinched, grabbed the glass ashtray off the counter and hurled it at him.

"Get away from me!"

The ashtray caught him on the temple. Blood ran down along his brow.

He didn't touch it. He just looked at me, eyes full of panic.

"Is it the baby acting up again?"

"Or does something hurt?"

I sat on the floor and watched him bolt out of the bathroom.

He came back with water and pills.

Blood dripped onto his white collar and spread into a small red bloom. He didn't notice. He just held out the pills.

"Open up, babe."

"Why?"

I looked into his eyes.

The tears came before I could stop them.

Days ago we were picking out names. We were talking about the future. The three of us. Taking her to the coast and the mountains and every place we'd been when we first fell in love.

Minutes ago he was raging jealous over some kid bringing me coffee.

"Why did you betray me?"

I stared at him through the blur.

Ethan froze. His hand tightened around the pills.

"You know."

I waited for him to explain.

I told myself I would believe anything he said. As long as he said it, I could forgive him.

"I'm sorry."

He stepped closer, voice shaking.

"I know having the intern fired behind your back will upset you. But I can't stand another man being near you every day, seeing you smile."

He crouched down and looked up at me.

"You have no idea what it took to take you from Ryan. How hard I fought just to stand beside you. And some nobody gets to walk in and hand you coffee like it's nothing."

"I know I'm obsessive. I know I'm not normal. But I don't regret it."

"Babe, hit me, scream at me, punish me however you want. Just don't hurt yourself. Don't leave me. I'll die."

He looked up at me with red eyes, like an abandoned dog.

I looked at him and knew I should turn around and walk out.

But I couldn't.

I couldn't give up his tenderness.

I couldn't give up these happy days.

So as long as I didn't see it with my own eyes, I could pretend none of it was real.

As long as I didn't see it.

I looked at him and smiled.

"I want pot roast."

His eyes lit up and he turned toward the kitchen.

But his phone rang.

He glanced at it, face apologetic.

"Sorry, babe. Something urgent at the office. I'll make it for you when I'm back."

He was out the door before I could answer.

I got in my car and followed him.

812 Sutton Place.

I stood under the trees and watched Bianca take his arm and walk him through the front door.

The second it closed, I took out my phone and called him.

Through the living room window I saw him stand up and reach for his jacket.

Then Bianca rose on her toes and pressed her mouth to his.

Through the phone I heard wet sounds and his breathing.

My grip on the phone turned my knuckles white.

"Ethan. My stomach hurts."

He shoved Bianca away and grabbed his coat and headed for the door.

"Babe, don't be scared. I'm coming right now."

Then a muffled sound came through the line.

Bianca doubled over.

The call went dead.

Ten seconds later, a text came in.

"Babe, emergency meeting at the office. I have to be there. I've already called the doctor, he'll be at the house any minute. Don't be scared."

I looked up.

Through the window, I watched him carry Bianca toward the bedroom.

Something in my chest died. I took out my phone and called the clinic.

"I need to schedule an abortion."