NORA I stared at the ultrasound photo on the fridge for a long time that morning. Four months now. The baby had a face on the grainy printout—tiny nose, little fists. Elias had pinned it there himself last week, right next to the grocery list like it was the most normal thing in the world. He’d kissed my belly afterward, hands reverent, whispering “my son” against my skin while I lay there pretending the words didn’t feel like a brand. He came over at lunch, same as always. Suit jacket already off, tie loose. The second the door shut he had me against the counter, mouth hungry on my neck. “Missed this,” he muttered, shoving my robe open. My belly was round enough now that it pressed between us, but he didn’t care. He lifted me onto the granite, spread my legs, and dropped to his knees like it was routine. His tongue was rough and familiar. He licked me open, two fingers sliding in deep while he sucked my clit the way he knew would make me shake. I gripped the edge of
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