A Quiet Goodbye

The phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor, cutting the call.I stared at my belly, hand resting over it. Tears were already there.No wonder Elroy Lousteau never cared when I asked him to feel the kicks.He knew. He always knew. This baby was never supposed to make it.He walked out of the bathroom, grinning. "Baby being a handful again? Should I give 'em a talk?"I looked up, face soaked, but the words wouldn't come.Then he rushed over, all fake panic and hugs."What's wrong, babe? Nervous? I'll be right there the whole time, I promise."His grip sent a chill down my spine.How could he fake it so easily? Kill our baby, keep his side chick happy, then still play the doting husband like nothing happened?My mouth tasted like metal. I touched my belly, testing him."Elroy... why can't I feel the baby move?"He knelt, pressed his ear to me. I caught that flash of annoyance in his eyes before he smoothed it over."The baby's fine—super active. You're just stressed, ba

When I first told Elroy I was pregnant, he barely reacted. Just stayed calm, distant.Then he disappeared to some church—lit a candle, prayed for a long time—and came back with a charm he swore would protect me and the baby.I told myself he just sucked at showing feelings. I was touched.But it was all an act.The charm was for Brigitte.The charm he gave me was fake. So was his love.He sliced an apple, held a piece to my lips. I turned away. He hesitated, looking thrown.Then, softly, "Babe... did you pick up my phone this morning?"His brow creased. Waiting. Watching.The longer I said nothing, the more nervous he got."What did you hear?"I looked away, drained. "Nothing. Your phone was across the room. I knocked it off by accident."He exhaled, all relieved, and tucked the blanket around me like everything was fine.Then, real quiet, he asked, "If our baby doesn't make it... could we adopt?"So ready to keep his promise—to her.I gave a faint smile. "Remember what

When I came to, I was somewhere unfamiliar. Dr. Jourdain spotted me awake and walked over."Anything hurt?"I shifted, checking out the room. Had to be his place. I shook my head."I'm good. Thank you, Dr. Jourdain."Without the lab coat, he looked way more chill. Almost elegant. He smiled."Call me Liam. Elroy bought it. He signed the divorce papers, though it'll take time to go through.""Doesn't matter. Just being away from him is enough."I glanced down, let out a dry laugh. The real split would come after Brigitte pops the kid out. He'd rush to be rid of me then.Liam clocked the look in my eyes. His face went serious."It's over. Don't keep reliving it. The plan worked—I got your ticket to New Zarelle. You can go tomorrow, if you're up for it."I rested my hand on my stomach. My chest tightened."Did the baby... look weird?"I'd googled it. Stillbirths. The images haunted me.But even as I asked, I backed off. Swiped at my cheek, tried to smile."Forget it. Doesn't

I'd played this scene in my head a hundred times.I figured he'd be relieved—free to marry Brigitte without the drama. He already sacrificed our baby for hers. Why would he look back?I never thought he'd actually hunt me down. Never thought he'd care this much.My words hit him hard. He paused, took a shaky breath, then pulled me into his arms.Like he'd just recovered something priceless, he clung to me, chest heaving. His grip was desperate, like he wanted to disappear into me. His voice softened, barely a whisper. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped. I was scared. But you're back now... come home."I shoved him off. "Did you forget what you did?"His face twitched—panic, plain as day."I didn't," I snapped. "But it looks like you did. You said you were tired of me. Said messing around with Brigitte was no big deal. You wanted me to raise her kid. And you killed mine."All the color drained from his face. He looked ghostly, like he'd aged ten years lately. But whatever. R

I snapped. "What the hell's wrong with you? We're divorced. Get that through your head and back off!"He stiffened, breathing hard, eyes locked on me like I'd just stabbed him."Celine, come on. He's garbage. How can you trust a word out of his mouth?"Liam slipped an arm around my waist, eyes cold. "You wanna talk about trash, Elroy? At least I didn't MURDER my own kid."Elroy's face twisted. If I hadn't been standing there, he would've swung again.He dropped the volume, reached out."Come here, Celine. Don't side with him. Whatever mess he's made, I'll handle it. It's got nothing to do with you."I didn't budge. Just stood firm and laughed—cold, sharp."Did you miss what I said? You KILLED our baby. You really think you can fake being some loyal husband now? Wake up, Elroy. I'm done with you."Elroy's fists clenched tight, nails digging in. His eyes glazed over.His voice cracked, barely more than a whisper. "I was wrong... Don't do this. Don't be so cruel..."All that sm