Chapter 1 - THE OCEAN BELOW
The first sound Claire Bennett heard was the click of her safety harness opening.
She looked down.
The metal buckle lay loose across her pale gray top. Beyond the open side door of the helicopter, the California coastline curved beneath a clear blue sky. Deep ocean struck the cliffs far below, and wind tore through the luxury cabin.
Ethan's hand remained on the buckle.
Claire grabbed his wrist with both hands.
“Ethan... what are you doing?”
Her voice cracked.
Her husband stared at her without emotion.
Then he seized her upper arm and dragged her toward the open door.
Claire screamed. She braced both feet against the floor while one hand moved instinctively over her pregnant belly.
“Stop! Please!”
Ethan pulled harder.
“I'm pregnant!”
The words were absurd between them. He had attended every appointment. He had listened to their daughter's heartbeat. The nursery in their Malibu home was almost finished.
He did not hesitate.
Claire clutched his black shirt and the frame beside the door. Wind whipped her dark hair across her face. Tears streamed from her eyes and vanished into the air.
“Ethan, please.”
She caught his hand and pressed it against the curve beneath her cardigan.
“That's your baby.”
For one second, she searched the face she had loved for any sign that he remained inside it.
There was nothing.
Ethan pulled his hand away.
Claire began shaking.
He leaned close enough for her to hear him over the rotors.
“The ocean will keep our secret.”
Horror emptied the strength from her knees.
“No.”
She wrapped both arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Please, Ethan. Please. Don't do this to us.”
His expression never changed.
He tore one of her hands from his shirt. Then the other.
Claire tried to reach the cabin frame again.
Ethan shoved her.
“Ethan!”
The helicopter disappeared above her as she fell into open sky. Claire reached both hands toward the man standing silently in the doorway.
May you like
His figure grew smaller.
The ocean rushed up beneath her.
