Chapter 2

I didn't sleep a wink. By morning, I was an absolute wreck.

When Chloe sent me a snapshot of her ultrasound, my mind completely checked out, and I botched a presentation during an all-hands meeting.

My boss called me into his office afterward, giving my shoulder an understanding squeeze.

"I know you struggle with insomnia, Maya, but you can't let your personal life derail your career."

I kept my head down, offering a quiet apology.

He took in the dark circles under my eyes and softened his tone.

"The holiday starts tomorrow. Take some time to reset."

He added, "By the way, I know an incredible sleep specialist based in Berlin. If you accepted the transfer to the European headquarters, you could finally consult with him."

My head snapped up.

"Is the transfer offer still open? Can I still take it?"

He looked puzzled. "Didn't you turn it down because of your boyfriend...?"

A bitter smile touched my lips. "Not anymore."

I had declined because I wanted to build a life with Noah, and his career was rooted here.

None of that mattered now.

It was dark by the time I got home.

Because I hadn't replied to her ultrasound picture, Chloe had been spamming my phone all day.

[Look at your future godson!]

[Maya, aren't these baby clothes adorable?]

[Why aren't you texting back?]

[Are you mad at me?]

I slowly typed back:

[What do you think?]

Chloe replied with a crying emoji.

[Are you really going to throw away years of friendship over a baby?]

[Since when are you so petty?]

I nearly laughed out loud at the sheer audacity.

Chloe and I met in high school.

She was a transfer student, constantly picked on and ostracized.

One day, I saw someone dump blue ink all over her lunch.

She was curled up in a stairwell, sobbing over her ruined food.

In that instant, she reminded me of Noah back at the foster home.

I shared my lunch with her.

Then I tracked down the bullies and got into a massive brawl.

Afterward, Chloe hugged my arm, crying her eyes out:

"You're my best friend for life."

Now, my hands trembled as I blocked her number.

Suddenly, my Bluetooth speaker chimed.

My phone vibrated violently.

Noah was calling.

He had never once raised his voice at me in all the years we'd been together.

Yet right now, his tone was freezing cold.

I couldn't reconcile him with the gentle man I thought I knew.

"Why did you block Chloe?"

"You know she's pregnant. Do you have to make her cry?"

Two short sentences, each plunging into my heart like a needle.

Fighting back tears, I said, "What do you want from me? A card congratulating you two on starting a happy little family?"

Noah sighed, his voice dripping with condescension.

"You're just jealous."

"Don't worry. On weekdays, I'll be with you. I'll spend the weekends with her and the baby."

He sounded so damn confident.

As if he never considered for a second that I might actually walk away.

"If you can't even handle this, how are you going to listen to the rest of the stories?"

"Trust me, after you hear today's story, you'll thank Chloe. She's giving you the chance to be a mother."

"You're out of your mind!"

I slammed the end-call button.

Suddenly, the Bluetooth speaker came to life again.

After last night, I had deleted the three audio files Noah sent me.

I was terrified of hearing more devastating confessions.

It made me sick to my stomach.

Noah had apparently programmed an automated timer to push the files through.

His smooth voice filled the bedroom:

"Story number two. Still dedicated to my dearest girlfriend."

I clamped my hands over my ears, but his words pierced right through.

"You had a baby once, too."

He let out a low chuckle. "Do you remember?"

Tears spilled over my cheeks against my will.

The second story Noah wanted to tell me was about the miscarriage I suffered years ago.