All Chapters of Loving Mr. Vance in Silence: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Emma did not sleep.She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Nick's arm around her waist. The room was dark. The city was quiet. But her mind was racing. Pregnant. The word echoed in her head, a whisper of hope and fear tangled together. She wanted it to be true. She was terrified it was true.At 6:00 AM, she slipped out of bed.Nick's arm tightened around her. "Where are you going?""Pharmacy. Before work."Nick sat up. "I'll drive you.""You have a meeting at 8:00.""I'll cancel.""Nick—""I'll cancel." He swung his legs over the side of the bed. "You're not doing this alone."Emma watched him pull on jeans and a sweater. His hair was messy. His eyes were tired. He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen."Thank you," she whispered.Nick walked to her and kissed her forehead."Always," he said.---The pharmacy was quiet at 6:30 AM.An old man was buying cough drops. A woman in scrubs was picking up a prescription. Emma walked to the family planning aisle and stared at the wal

The appointment was set for Thursday at 10:00 AM.Emma had been counting down the days. Eight weeks pregnant. Two months of morning sickness, fatigue, and constant, nagging fear. Every twinge made her hold her breath. Every cramp sent her running to the bathroom to check for blood. Nick watched her like a hawk, asking if she was okay, if she needed anything, if she wanted to call the doctor."I'm fine," Emma said for the hundredth time."You're not fine. You're terrified.""I'm allowed to be terrified."Nick took her hand. "I know. I'm terrified too."They sat in silence, holding hands, waiting for the clock to move.---The doctor's office was warm and bright.Dr. Harris greeted them in the waiting room, her gray hair pulled back in a bun, her smile gentle but professional."Emma. Nick. Come on back."They followed her down a narrow hallway to a small room with an ultrasound machine and a paper-covered table. Emma sat on the table. Nick stood beside her, his hand on her shoulder."Ho

The arraignment was set for Monday.Emma stood in front of her closet, staring at her clothes. She needed something professional. Something strong. Something that said I am not afraid. But the truth was, she was afraid. She had been afraid for months — of Mara, of Marcus, of Arthur, of losing another baby. But she was tired of being afraid.Nick appeared behind her. "You're staring.""I'm thinking.""Same thing."Emma turned to face him. "What do I wear to face the man who tortured my friend?"Nick walked to the closet. He pulled out a black dress — simple, elegant, severe."This one," Nick said.Emma took the dress. "It's armor.""It's armor."She put it on.---The courthouse was the same one where Mara had been tried.Emma walked through the metal detectors, Nick beside her, her hand on her stomach. She was fourteen weeks pregnant now — past the first trimester, past the highest risk of miscarriage. The baby was growing. The baby was healthy. But Emma couldn't shake the feeling tha

The invitation came on a Tuesday.Rachel was sitting in her apartment, staring at the wall, when her phone buzzed. Daniel's name appeared on the screen. She had been texting him more often lately — checking in, sharing memes, sending him photos of her cat. He always responded quickly, always asked how she was doing, always remembered the small details she mentioned in passing.Dinner? the text read. My place. Friday. 7 PM.Rachel stared at the message. Her heart pounded. She hadn't been to a man's apartment in years. Not since before the basement. Not since before Marcus Webb had taken her freedom and her sense of safety.Just dinner, she told herself. Just friends.She typed back: Okay.---Friday arrived cold and clear.Rachel stood in front of her closet, staring at her clothes. She had tried on four outfits. The first was too casual. The second was too dressy. The third made her look like she was trying too hard. The fourth — a simple green sweater and black jeans — made her look

Daniel planned the date for a Saturday.He wanted it to be special. Rachel deserved special. She had spent years in darkness, years of fear, years of believing she would never be loved. Daniel wanted to show her that she was wrong. He wanted to show her that she was worthy of joy.He chose a small Italian restaurant in the West Village — not fancy, not crowded, just warm and intimate and quiet. He made a reservation for 7:00 PM. He bought flowers — peonies, because Emma had mentioned that Rachel liked them. He practiced what he was going to say in the mirror.You're beautiful.No, that was too much.I'm glad you're here.Too little.I've been waiting for this for months.Too honest.Daniel gave up on practicing. He would figure it out when he saw her.---Rachel spent the afternoon getting ready.She stood in front of her closet, staring at her clothes. She had tried on five outfits. The first was too casual. The second was too dressy. The third made her look like she was trying too h