Chapter 6 - THE PREGNANCY
Claire did not tell Ethan about the pregnancy for four days.
Not to punish him.
Because once she told him, every conversation would change.
He would say:
the baby,
our family,
one more chance.
She wanted one decision that existed before his reaction.
She met with an obstetrician.
Pregnancy progressing normally.
Then a therapist.
Then a divorce attorney.
Only after that did she ask Ethan to meet.
Public office.
Counsel nearby.
“I’m pregnant.”
Ethan stared.
All color left his face.
“Mine?”
Claire slapped the table with her palm.
Not him.
“Don’t you ever ask me that again.”
He immediately said:
“I’m sorry.”
She stood.
He panicked.
“Claire, please.”
She stayed only because she wanted him to hear the rest.
“Six weeks.”
He calculated.
The gala.
The affair.
His face broke.
“I’ll end it.”
Claire laughed.
“It’s already over.”
“With Vanessa.”
“I’m talking about us.”
Ethan began crying.
“I love you.”
“I believe you.”
That surprised him.
Claire continued:
“People can love someone and still build a life that humiliates them.”
Then he said the thing she expected.
“We’re having a baby.”
“No. I’m having a baby. Whether we are a family is a separate question.”
That distinction became central.
Then Ethan asked if he could attend appointments.
Claire said:
“Not yet.”
He accepted.
Later that night Vanessa called Claire from an unknown number.
Claire almost ignored it.
Then answered.
Vanessa said:
“You trapped him.”
Claire laughed.
“With a pregnancy he didn’t know about?”
Silence.
Then Vanessa said:
“He was going to leave you.”
Claire stopped.
“When?”
“After the gala.”
That was new.
May you like
Then Vanessa added:
“He already had papers.”
