Chapter 4 - THE PHONE HE KEPT TURNING OVER
Natalie went home with her older sister, Claire.
Not Ben.
He sent fourteen messages before noon.
I’m sorry.
Please let me explain.
I panicked.
Sophie means nothing.
I was scared about becoming a father.
I still love you.
Natalie read none of them twice.
Sophie sent one message.
I will answer anything you ask.
Natalie waited three days.
Then replied.
Everything.
They met at a coffee shop near the hospital.
Sophie looked terrible.
No makeup.
Gray sweater.
Hands wrapped around untouched coffee.
Natalie sat across from her.
“When did he contact you?”
“November.”
Natalie was already pregnant then.
“What did he say?”
“That your relationship was falling apart.”
“Was he sleeping with you before that?”
Sophie’s face tightened.
“No.”
Natalie believed her.
Then Sophie slid her phone across the table.
Messages.
Ben:
Natalie says the baby ruined everything.
Ben:
She doesn’t want me touching her anymore.
Ben:
I think we’re only together because she feels guilty.
Another:
I miss who I was with you.
Sophie:
Then end things with her before we do this.
Ben:
I’m trying.
Natalie stared.
There were dozens.
Then one message from two weeks earlier.
Sophie:
Are you sure she’s okay with you moving out after the appointment?
Ben:
She doesn’t care. She barely wants me there.
Natalie looked up.
“What appointment?”
Sophie hesitated.
“The prenatal follow-up.”
The one Natalie never knew had been recommended.
Ben had known.
He told Sophie Natalie didn’t care whether he attended.
In reality, he had never told Natalie it existed.
Natalie handed the phone back.
“Why did you come to the hospital?”
Sophie’s face went pale.
“He texted me.”
“When?”
“While you were being examined.”
Natalie’s stomach turned.
“What did he say?”
Sophie opened the thread.
Ben:
Something happened. I think we lost the baby.
Sophie:
Oh my God. Is Natalie okay?
Ben:
She’ll be fine.
Then, eight minutes later:
Ben:
Can you come?
Natalie stared at those three words.
Not:
I need my mother.
Not:
I need my brother.
Not:
I don’t know what to do.
Can you come?
Sophie whispered:
“I thought you two were already over.”
Natalie looked out the window.
A bus passed.
Someone laughed at another table.
The world remained insultingly ordinary.
“Did he kiss you first?”
Sophie’s eyes filled.
“Yes.”
Natalie nodded once.
Then stood.
Sophie said:
“I’m sorry.”
Natalie stopped.
“You believed him.”
“I wanted to.”
That was honest.
May you like
Natalie turned back.
“So did I.”
