Chapter 4

The call ended, leaving only the steady beep of the disconnected line.

A moment later, Lena updated both her social feed and her public account with the same photo.

Quentin had one hand resting over her stomach, his eyes full of tenderness.

The caption read:

"Mom and Dad loved each other very much, and that's how we got you."

I sank back onto the bed. Tears slipped down my cheeks and soaked into the sheets.

By the time I woke again, it was already noon the next day.

The company had called while I was asleep. Lena had shown up at the office, and HR said the situation was causing a scene. They wanted me there immediately to deal with it.

My head was still foggy when I got up. I hadn't even changed out of the clothes I'd worn in the rain the night before, but I rushed over anyway.

When I arrived, Lena was sitting at my desk with several of my coworkers gathered around her.

"How far along are you?"

"I have a cushion you can use. It'll be more comfortable."

"You're way too nice. Your best friend steals your man, and you still came here hoping to talk things out with her."

Someone spotted me and lowered their voice.

"Jenna's here."

The group parted.

Lena slowly got to her feet, one hand supporting her lower back, and came toward me.

"Jen, I need to talk to you."

My head was pounding, probably from getting soaked in the rain the night before.

I looked around the office. Every face held the same contempt. A few people had even positioned themselves around Lena in a loose half circle, as though they were afraid I might do something to her.

A cold draft swept through the room, making me shiver.

Whatever warmth I had left inside me disappeared with it.

Lena stepped closer and took my hand, her voice catching.

"Jen, after all these years we've been friends, I'm begging you. Can we please just sit down and talk this through?"

The way she phrased it was vague enough to tell its own story. Anyone who didn't know what had actually happened would think her best friend had betrayed her and that Lena was still trying to save the friendship.

My temples throbbed.

I frowned and pulled my hand away before she could keep holding it.

Lena immediately stumbled backward as if I'd shoved her with all my strength.

Gasps broke out around us. Everyone rushed to catch her and help her back up.

Lena clutched her stomach, her eyes red.

"Jenna, I know we have problems, but I'm pregnant. Why would you push me?"

One of the coworkers I'd once been close to stormed over and slapped me across the face.

"You steal someone else's boyfriend and still have the nerve to put your hands on her? I must have the worst luck in the world to be stuck working with you!"

She glared at me as if she'd completely forgotten that three months earlier, when she was fighting her ex-husband through a divorce, I'd stayed up night after night helping her gather documents and evidence. I'd sat with her while she drank and tried to get through it, and I'd even helped pay her legal fees.

Once one person came at me, the others started closing in too.

I stared at them, my mind completely blank.

Then Quentin's voice rang out behind me.

"What are all of you doing?"

I turned and saw him running toward us.

For one second, I thought he was coming to me.

He ran straight past me and went to Lena.

Quentin pulled her into his arms and spoke softly.

"Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?"

Just then, a pen holder came flying across the room and struck me directly in the eye.

Pain shot through me. I sucked in a sharp breath, staggered back, and fell to the floor.

Quentin looked up at me, something complicated in his eyes.

In the end, both Lena and I were taken to the hospital.

Lena was brought in for an examination.

Quentin stood in front of me, sounding helpless.

"Jen, there's a reason for all of this. It's Lena, she..."

"Is her family here?"

A nurse leaned out of the exam room.

Quentin answered with practiced ease.

"I'm here."

As he reached the door, he looked back at me.

"Jen, once I'm done here with her, I'll explain everything. You'll understand."

I watched him disappear inside.

Then I stood up, turned around, and walked out without breaking stride.

The transfer didn't matter anymore.

Even if I no longer had a job waiting for me in Norvale, I didn't want to stay here.

I still had my plane ticket.

And this time, I wasn't going to wait for Quentin anymore.