The Wrong Woman

Mila's phone rang until she finally mustered the courage to answer.

Nathan's voice greeted her on the other end. He hesitated before tentatively asking, "Wanda?" His tone carried an unusual softness.

Mila felt a pang of guilt. She wondered if she had ignored his calls so much that he thought someone else was answering. She replied with a gentle hum.

Nathan's voice brightened as he spoke warmly, "I'll come by tomorrow to go with you to the hospital to pick up our son."

Mila was surprised, knowing that his work wouldn't be finished until the day after tomorrow. She declined. "It's fine. You should continue with your work. Phoebe and I will pick him up. You don't need to hurry back."

"I'm not that busy." Nathan tried to take the opportunity. He asked again, "What time are you going to the hospital tomorrow?"

Mila refused once again. "Our son being discharged isn't a big deal. You don't need to worry about it."

Nathan fell silent.

to end the call. "There's not

lowered the phone from her ear, she faintly

down her phone, she stared at the sprawling field of white zinnias before her, unable to stifle a sigh. She thought Nathan must be

unusually long. Mila and the maternity nurse prepare

sleep with her after discharged, but Mila politely declined. She wanted to spend time with her

was too excited to sleep. She kept looking at the photos she had taken of her son previously, unable

of

was half-asleep, she sensed movement on the bed. Groggily, she opened her eyes and recognized the

her head, she thought she spotted Nathan. Still half in dreamland, she mumbled,

unintentionally disturbed her slumber. He was surprised by Mila's unusually gentle tone when she

infused with drowsiness,

to her, and whispered, "I'm sorry for waking

Mila asked, "What time