Chapter 7

A sharp intake of breath cut through the line.

“Essie? Oh my God, Essie! Where are you? Are you okay? You sound…”

“I’m at the hospital,” I whispered, tears already streaming down my face. “Please… I need help.”

Serena didn’t hesitate. “Stay right there. I’m coming to get you.”

I sent her the address and Less than an hour later, her car pulled up outside the entrance. I stepped out into the light drizzle still wearing the same damp clothes from the night before.

The second Serena saw me, she was out of the car and pulling me into a crushing embrace.

“Essie, what happened to you?” Her voice was thick with worry.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry,” I cried, the pain of the last few days pouring out of me without restraint.

“Hey. It’s okay. Whatever it is…” She wiped my tears with her thumbs while still holding me tightly.

“Where’s Leo? I will drive you home.”

“No!” The word ripped out of me. My heart slammed against my ribs. “I can’t go back there.”

Serena studied my face.

She didn’t ask questions, but her eyes held a hundred of them. Somehow she understood exactly what I needed in that moment, space and Peace.

“Okay,” she said softly, squeezing my hand. “I’ll take you to my place. It’s been forever anyway. We can have a girls’ night.” She forced a small smile.

“Yeah,” I whispered, managing one in return.

We drove into a quiet neighborhood. Serena parked in front of a modest apartment building and cut the engine. “Come on. I have lived here eight months now.”

“That’s nice.”

Her apartment was spacious and warm, soft pink accents on the walls giving it a gentle, feminine feel. So different from the cold, empty mansion I had just been thrown out of.

This place felt lived in and Safe. Like I was actually welcome.

“Make yourself comfortable. I will grab you something to change into,” she said, disappearing toward the bedroom.

After a long, scalding shower, I found Serena had already set food out for me. My stomach still twisted with nausea, but for the first time in days I managed to keep something down.

“Out with it, I’m tired of waiting.”

“Serena…”

“Essie, I could wait forever, but looking at you like this?” She shook her head, fighting whatever sharper words wanted to come out. “You look so sad. I can’t stand it. What happened? And where the hell is your husband?”

She took my hand, rubbing gentle circles over my knuckles.

I shook my head. “Not my husband anymore.”

Her fingers tensed around mine. “What happened to you, Essie?” she whispered. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to talk about it yet… but I need to know. I need to know so I can help you.” Her voice cracked.

Serena had always been an empath to her core. “Please.”

I sighed.

In the quiet safety of her apartment, I told her everything.

Serena listened in stunned silence, her knuckles white where she still held me as I shook.

“That bastard,” she muttered when I finally finished. “After everything you sacrificed for him. I always knew he was no good, but this… this is heartless.”

I wiped my eyes. “There’s more, Serena. The doctor said I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant? Now? After all this time?” Her voice dropped, laced with pure worry. “What are you going to do?”

I stared at her, a fragile, stupid hope flickering in my chest. “Well…”

“Well what?”

“I have to tell Leo.”

Serena looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

“This changes everything,” I rushed on. “Maybe… maybe he will give us another chance. For the baby.”

Doubt clouded her face. “Essie, listen to me. That man threw you out like trash. He’s already moved his mistress into your home and plans to make her his wife. Do you really think a pregnancy will suddenly turn him back into the loving husband? He will accuse you of trapping him. Or worse….he will say the child isn’t even his.”

“I know it sounds crazy,” I admitted, my voice small.

Serena exhaled, “It is crazy. What the hell is wrong with you? You can’t do this.”

“But…”

“No buts. I would rather you reach out to your parents,” she cut in.

“You know that will never happen.”

“Seeking out Leo shouldn’t happen either. Essie… please think about this.”

“This is our baby, Serena. The one we prayed for. I have to try. I owe it to my child to give the father a chance to do the right thing.”

Serena exhaled heavily. “You can’t do this.”

“Please. I have to try. I need to.” I whispered the words like a prayer. “You have to understand.”

“I don’t,” she shot back immediately, her tone sharp.

I stared at her, heart hammering. She probably thought I was a fool, but she was still being kind. Still here.

“What?” she asked, standing.

“I just…”

The sudden ringing of my phone sliced through the air. Reaching for my handbag, i pulled it out, and froze at the number on the screen.

“Hello?”

My eyes widened…shock and something dangerously close to relief flooding through me at the same time.

Serena leaned in. “What? Who is it?”