Chapter 3

It wasn't like I hadn't tried.

When he was starving himself for me — I asked myself, over and over:

Would you really lose Ethan just because you're scared of having a baby?

Watching him waste away beneath my window, I found my answer.

If it was Ethan — I was willing to try.

I went to a therapist in secret. Session after session, chipping away at the fear.

Finally — no more nightmares. I could sleep through the night.

When I found out I was pregnant, I realized the terror was gone.

All I could think about was this moment — the day we picked up our marriage license — and the look on Ethan's face when I told him.

How happy he'd be.

Even now, after everything, I still want to see his reaction.

At least to prove I'm not completely pathetic.

The second I say it, all three of them go pale.

Chloe's eyes turn red. Tears spill like rain.

"Avery — I never wanted to compete with you. I just wanted to repay you for saving my life."

"This baby is Ethan's too. Please don't hate him. Please."

Ethan's eyes fill with something worse than anger — disappointment.

"If you were really willing to get pregnant, why wait until now?"

"You've got your marriage certificate. What the hell are you still making a fuss about?"

Ryan points at my face again, shouting.

"You think just because you pulled Chloe out of that lake, she owes you her whole life?"

"She had a baby for you. The debt is paid."

"And she's the one who just now begged Ethan, in tears, to come back for you. Do you even deserve any of this?"

I force the faintest smile.

I should've known.

The surprise I'd planned has already turned into something ugly.

A threat. That's all they see.

So Ethan didn't come back because he remembered his promise.

He came back because Chloe told him to.

Her mercy. Not his love.

"Let's get divorced," I say.

The engine roars in response.

The car shoots forward, taillights disappearing into the heat.

No one hears me.

I stand there, numb, and tuck the ultrasound back into my pocket — the one I'd half-pulled out.

This time, I don't stay and count.

I go to a lawyer's office and have them draft divorce papers.

I don't go home after that. Just check into some random hotel.

That night, the wedding group chat explodes — only now, Chloe is the bride.

The dress needs alterations. The invitations are too plain. The venue is too cheap.

Everything I'd chosen — replaced. One by one.

I leave the chat.

A second later, Ethan texts me.

"After the wedding, I'll take you to see the Northern Lights. I know you've always wanted to go."

"You have to be at the ceremony. Chloe says it's a promise you two made when you were eighteen."

"The baby's been fussy. Chloe's not sleeping well. I'm staying with her for a while."

I laugh — actually laugh — and block his number.

On the day of the wedding, I go back to the apartment to drop off the divorce papers.

The door next door swings open.

Chloe steps out.

I blink.

"You… live here?"