his body a familia

d, his voice full of a con

m, my Liam, the man who had proposed to me under a sky full of stars.

"I know we look alike. It must be hard for you. But

eveal the monster underneath. But I said nothing. I ju

his voice soft, persuasive. "He loved you. He

no hesitation. My stomach churned. A sharp pain shot through my abdomen, a result

rn sharpened, but it wasn't for me. I

r, a delicate voice

What's ha

ile, curated way, the kind of woman who looked like sh

sed to her forehead. "Oh, the crowd

of me as if I were a hot coal, his focus entire

ing her as she sagged dramatically into his arms. "

s the woman he had thrown his life away for. This was the terminally ill patient.

red, her voice weak but her eyes sharp as the

antic worry that he never once showed me. He started to lead

tone dismissive. "I'll handle things

g smile, a silent declaration of victory. I just looked at her, my fa

y side flared again, a sharp, insistent warning. I ignored the Vances' worried glance

the address of my doctor's office. I had to know if the baby

ook me back to an examination room, her expression kind b

octor said gently, moving

lack-and-white world. And there it was. A tiny,

in, here was something real. A tiny, perfect, real thing. My child. A wave of love, fierce and protective, washed ov

the doctor said, smiling. "A

ring breath, a sou

rinted ultrasound picture like a holy relic,

ood f

as C

ile faltering for just a second. Then it wa

voice dripping with false

-