CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2
The ultrasound room was too clean.
White walls. Glass observation window. Soft blue monitor light. Nurses moving carefully, smiling too much because everyone in that hospital knew who Chloe’s husband was.
Julian liked to appear at appointments unexpectedly.
He called it “being involved.”
Chloe called it “checking whether I said anything.”
The technician helped her onto the exam bed. Chloe’s hands shook so badly the paper beneath her crinkled. I stood beside her and held her fingers.
“Mrs. Thorne,” the technician said gently, “are you comfortable?”
Chloe nodded.
She was lying.
I looked toward the camera in the corner. Then toward the glass window, where two nurses had paused, whispering.
Julian’s hospital had eyes everywhere.
Good.
I wanted witnesses.
The monitor came alive with the blurred shape of my grandchild. The heartbeat filled the room, steady and small, like hope refusing to be frightened.
Chloe turned her face away and cried silently.
I leaned close.
“You’re safe right now,” I whispered.
She looked at me like she wanted to believe it but had forgotten how.
Then the door opened.
Julian stepped inside in a white coat, teal scrubs beneath it, his hair perfect, his smile polished for an audience.
“My girls,” he said warmly.
Chloe’s entire body tightened.
Julian noticed.
So did I.
His eyes moved to me.
“Diane,” he said. “I didn’t know you were joining us.”
May you like
I smiled.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
