Chapter 2 - THE VERSION BEN TOLD SOPHIE
Sophie was the first person to speak.
Not Ben.
That mattered.
She looked horrified.
“I didn’t know.”
Natalie stared at her.
“Know what?”
Sophie’s eyes filled.
“That you were still together.”
Ben finally stepped forward.
“Natalie, can we not do this here?”
Natalie laughed.
It came out cracked.
“Here?”
A nurse touched Natalie’s elbow gently.
“Ms. Carter, maybe we should get you back to your room.”
Natalie pulled away.
“No. I want to hear this.”
Sophie looked at Ben.
“You told me she moved out.”
Natalie’s eyes narrowed.
“What?”
Sophie continued.
“You said the engagement was over.”
Ben said:
“Sophie.”
“No.”
She turned on him.
“You said the pregnancy was why she stayed.”
Natalie’s knees nearly buckled.
Sophie kept going.
“You said she never wanted the baby. That she blamed you for it. That she was planning to end the pregnancy but changed her mind because her mother pressured her.”
Natalie stared at Ben.
“That’s what you said?”
Ben looked trapped.
“Natalie, it was complicated.”
“No.”
Her voice sharpened.
“It wasn’t.”
She had wanted the baby before Ben did.
She had bought the first tiny yellow onesie.
She had cried when the first ultrasound showed a heartbeat.
Ben knew all of that.
Sophie pressed one hand over her mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
Natalie looked at her.
“Were you seeing him?”
Sophie swallowed.
“Three months.”
Ben flinched.
Natalie felt physically cold.
Three months.
She was fourteen weeks pregnant.
The math was cruel.
Sophie whispered:
“He told me you were separating before the pregnancy.”
Natalie looked at Ben.
“You started sleeping with her while I was pregnant.”
Ben did not answer.
That was answer enough.
A nurse guided Natalie back toward her room.
This time, she allowed it.
Before the door closed, Sophie said:
“Natalie, I swear I didn’t know.”
Natalie turned.
For one second, both women looked at each other.
Not rivals.
Two people standing inside the same lie.
Then Natalie looked at Ben.
“Leave.”
He stepped toward her.
“I’m your fiancé.”
“No.”
May you like
Her voice shook.
“You were.”
