Pancakes for a Stranger's Love

Marsh

gerated drama. She swayed slightly, almost collapsing into Bennett' s arms. Her d

with a sharp shove, his arm circling Jayda' s waist, pulling her protectively behind him. The for

narled, his eyes blazing with fury. "Can't yo

ed into a white-hot anger. "Pregnant? She's pregnant? And what about me,

His eyes, for a split second, dropped to the medical folder I clutched. But then Jay

all get a little headache sometimes, don't we? Stress, you know. It's no

lief. He actually relaxed his shoulders. "See? Jayda's right. You're just stressed. M

ospital, Bennett! Do you think I came here for aspirin? Do yo

ardening, his eyes completely focused on Jayda. "That's a

ence, reduced to an inconvenience. How easily he dismissed me, how read

ive years? Trumps everything?" My voice was sharp, lac

ly impatient, as if I were a particularly annoying fly. Jayda, sensing her victory, nestled deeper into his side, a s

te hope that he might still care – it all evaporated. He was gone. His love, his tender

had been clinging to, snapped. I took a deep, shudde

voice surprisingl

licker of something, perh

, Bennett. Have your lawyer

lightly open. Jayd

sight," I added, my voice still calm, but with an u

e, you'll get one." He turned, Jayda already pulling him towards the exit. T

the emptiness inside me. My hand instinctively crumpled the medical fo

le of paper was loud in the silence. My marriage was over. And a part of me, a deep, wounded part, felt

ould look like. I turned and walked toward the exit, my steps slow but determined. I ne

se of dread washed over me. The door creaked open. The smell intensified – stale alcohol, something sickly floral, and an undertone of decay. My