Chapter 1: Claire’s POV

At 3 AM, I had awoken to the ringing of a phone, rustling of the sheets and the thunder humming outside my bedroom window.

It didn’t take long to recognize the ringtone I heard and understand what was happening in that moment.

That was Charlotte’s ringtone.

Charlotte was my husband Leonardo’s childhood sweetheart, and she had made a habit of calling my husband to her side at every opportunity even in the most impromptu hours of the night.

And Leo had made a habit of being completely available after every call – explaining why he had personalized her ringtone in the first place.

I listen at his side silently, waiting for the moment he would refuse to run to her side. A wishful thought I knew would never come to fruition.

“Don’t cry, I’ll be there soon.” After a few simple words, Leo quickly got up and prepared to go out. He hadn’t noticed I had been listening or conscious at the moment.

I say through a yawn. Being pregnant made me especially tired lately, not that Leo had noticed

wake you.” Leo took a single moment to sit next to me and caress my face. His

back soon” my husband was always available when she “needed” him. Even if it were at my expense. It was a horrible feeling watching your

see the faint rain littering the sill and the sky lighting with streams of electricity. This weather was no

in a small voice preparing for the worst of reactions when I see his face turn cold and stern. He pulls

you no sympathy, Claire?! Charlotte is disabled and she needs my help. How could you be so selfish?” He says this coldly, an accusation he

to Charlotte – I was an imposition or better

And knowing Charlotte has 24 hour dedicated medical staff and Nannie’s, I saw no reason for

in that way, Leo.” I say this as the words became coal, choking in my throat. I’m not

I curled my knees close to my chest as I watched him change his clothes – facing his back towards me with disgust. After getting dressed,

at the clock on the nightstand and see that it’s well past 3 AM now. Not to mention, today was our fifth

and not break down in tears.

the course of our marriage. Charlotte would make certain to call Leo on every occasion and important moment of

involved in an accident that left her unable to walk. I’m

family and sister knew what had happened, but they would never tell me as they much less enjoyed having to utter a single word to me. They hated me for reasons I still don’t know. What I do know is that Leo had felt guilty

needs outweighed mine in the eyes of my

pull out a pregnancy test I had hidden in the

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