Chapter 3
My hand froze mid–air, the bowl still in it.
I stared at him.
“Mia made this. For me.”
ne.“]]
D
Marcus ignored me and pulled a container out of the cupboard. [
“I know your health.
Chicken soup won’t make a difference.“]
“Let Emma have it this time.
I’ll take you to a diner next week.“]
The words hit me like a slap. [
Too familiar.
P
Olivia, I gave the food stamps to Emma this month.
I’ll get you a new coat next time. []
Olivia, Emma wants to go to the dance.
You can go next time when the base band plays. []
Olivia, Emma wants to meet my friends.
Skip this weekend’s BBQ. [
I’ll take you next time.]
Next time.
Next time.
So many damn next times, I lost count.
O
While I sat there, stunned, Marcus packed the soup like it meant nothing.
“I’m heading out.
Take care of yourself, alright?”
He turned to leave.
His coat brushed the table-
CRASH.
The bowl hit the floor and shattered.
Just like my heart.]
“Marcus
He paused.
I pulled out a tiny glass jar from my coat pocket. []
Inside were ninety–nine little yellow beads.]
“Count them.” I said.
He froze, then turned back slowly.
ht
Chapter 3
“You finished already?”
I nodded.
They’re all there.1
Marcus looked torn. []
I said nothing.
1 just wanted to hear it from him
Exactly like I expected- []
He hesitated for maybe a second, then said. []
“Olivia Emma still needs me.”]
A flicker of guilt crossed his face. []
But he didn’t stop. [
“Our deal… Let’s just forget it.“]]
I lowered my gaze, a soft breath escaping my lips. []
“Alright.“]
Marcus stood still, stunned. []
Like he couldn’t believe I gave in that easily. []
Then he threw his arms around me.
“Olivia, you’re amazing. []
Thank you.
Once Emma gets better, I’ll make it up to you.“]
I nodded
“I only want one thing.“[
He softened
What is it?”
The baby’s almost here.
I want a christening charm.”
He smiled, gentle now.
“Of course.
When I’m back, we’ll go for a checkup, and then we’ll get the best, prettiest charm for our baby.“]
My eyes trembled.
Because I’d lost the baby.
And he didn’t know
“Okay.” I said
After he left, I walked to the drawer and opened it. []
Inside was a stack of carefully folded medical reports. []
First ultrasound.
First checkup.
First prescription to prevent miscarriage_
Every night Marcus wasn’t home, I’d sit and read them.
They were full of the hopes of a mother–to–be.]
And the dreams of a wife who still believed in family.
But now
I pulled out the final document.
The one I’d kept buried deep. []
The miscarriage report.
My hand shook as I laid it on top of the others.
Tears dripped down, soaking the pages like a final goodbye.
I took a deep breath and reached to close the drawer, []
But Marcus’s voice rang out behind me.
“What are you doing?“]
I slammed the drawer shut, heart pounding, and wiped my tears away.[]
He was already walking over,
His eyes locked on the drawer.
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