The Child I Carried Secretly

Freder

favorite lilies, a new book from a genre I' d mentioned, a box of artisan chocolates. He' d cook, too, meticul

d afford a real steak. He' d always cooked for me then, too, his clumsy hands creating miracles from meager ingredients. Those simple meals were woven in

rp splinter in my heart. Every time Braden looked at me, touched me, or even just spoke my name, all I could see

to mine in our bed. But I played my part, the dutiful wife, the grie

to me. "To us, Erika. To our future.

against his. The wine tasted like ash. I

. The nausea was overwhelming. I pushed back from the table, stumbling t

in an instant, holding back my hair, stroking my ba

ess. My stomach's still sensitive after the surgery." I knew it was a lie. This sick

e that you're going through this. All those years, working yourself si

ied myself in spreadsheets, client calls, anything to keep

e parking lot, a familiar sleek black sedan caught my eye. Braden's car. What is he

splash of color against the drab concrete. She launched herself into Braden' s arms, her legs wrappi

eked, her voice high and childi

favorite Sweet Pea, could I?" He kissed her forehead, then her lips

of her hair. "You only say you love me once a day

You greedy little thing. You know I only have e

ey meant nothing. They were cheap, disposable words. My heart, which I thought had already shattered, found n

ed to their friend, a woman my age. "So

me," I said, my voice surprisingly stea

for his company, I think. He trea

ath me. Braden didn't come home that night. I call

Kandy Romero. Her profile picture was a selfie

e satisfaction. I i

andy. He' s in the shower, bab

provoke me. I typed a reply, then deleted it. Do

A screenshot. You really don't want to see th

dread, far deeper than any I'd felt be