Hadley let out a quiet laugh. “Sweet enough for you?”
“It is. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself.” Eric took the glass from her hand, drew her in by the waist, and stole a kiss.
At that moment, the door swung open—Ernest stepped in, but then froze at what he saw.
He had expected to find only Hadley. What was Eric doing there anyway?
Upstairs, Elissa was fast asleep, but her rest was anything but peaceful.
Her brows were furrowed, and her expression was marked by distress.
Outside, the sky hung heavy with clouds, casting a pale gray light into the room. Elissa sat curled in a rocking chair, her belly rounded and prominent beneath her clothes.
Her mother, Savannah Holland, was seated close by with a bowl of chicken soup resting in her hands. She gently stirred it, lifted a spoonful, blew softly, and held it near her daughter’s lips.
“It’s not hot anymore. Try to have a little.”
Elissa turned her head from the window and looked at her mother.
“We already decided we’re not keeping the baby. So why bother with chicken soup?”
Savannah’s heart tightened.
“Don’t talk like that. Whether or not you carry this child to term, your health still matters.”
As a woman—and a mother—she understood what pregnancy could do to the body.
“Don’t fight me. Your health is important. Come on, open your mouth.”
At last, Elissa gave in. She parted her lips and accepted the spoon. This text is hosted at find?novel.net
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After the first sip, she spoke.
“Mom… Robin hasn’t called me in six months.”
Savannah froze. Her eyes welled up, but she quickly looked away, pretending she hadn’t heard. Instead, she asked,
“What do you want for dinner? I’ll make it for you.”
“I want ravioli.”
“Alright.”
The quiet of home faded, replaced by the harsh white lights of the hospital.
“ARGH!”
Elissa screamed through the contractions, soaked in sweat and barely holding on.
“Robin, it hurts!”
“Elissa!”
Savannah reached for her hand and held it tightly. Even now, in her worst pain, her daughter still called for the man who had left her behind.
But he hadn’t come. He never would.
The only one by her side was her mother.
.
.
.