Emily reached for her, tears blurring her vision. James backed toward the door, chest heaving. “I can’t do this,” he said. “I’m done. You hear me? I want a divorce. You and that child, whoever she is, you can have each other.” “James—” But he was already gone. The door slammed so hard the walls seemed to shake.
Emily stood frozen, the phone still pressed against her ear, the dial tone humming faintly. The baby wailed louder. She sank to the floor beside the crib, rocking back and forth, whispering to no one, “It’s wrong. It has to be wrong.” But deep down, she felt something crack, a line she couldn’t see, splitting through everything she thought was safe.