of Manhattan. Eloise sat in the backseat, her finger

cher's Upper East Side clinic. Eloise pulled her dark sunglass

her into a private examination room and pe

your last cycle, Eloise?" h

leg bouncing nervously ag

ge for an hour. Every minute felt l

in, holding a single sheet of paper.

HCG levels are perfect. You are exactly fo

tor. "Thank you. Oh my god, thank you." She pulled back, her eye

"Under the HIPAA privacy laws, your medical reco

than it had in three years. She told the driver to

opped in front of a display of newborn shoes. She pick

tissue paper and placed them inside a whit

nthouse, her mind racing with plans f

the penthouse sudd

d into the foyer. He was su

nto the storage compartment beneath the living room sofa, k

walked toward her, a harsh, chemical smell hit Eloise's

over her. His hand cupped the back of her

g the tiny life inside her, E

brushed her c

He pulled back, his dark eyes turning i

y period started today," she lied quickly. "

was replaced by a look of profound relief,

rubbing slow circles over her lower abdomen. "I'

on spoke again, his voice low. "Eloise, if I

looked into his eyes.

is heavy platinum watch. "A lie.

and lies in this marriage, Bronson

d her like steel cables, crushing her against hi

hispered fiercely into her hair

teady, powerful beat of his heart. She felt entirely safe, c