Chapter 3

A kind nurse brought over a bottle of formula.

Evelyn drank it all in one go. Finally closed her eyes. Fell asleep.

But less than an hour later, some guy down the hallway was yelling into his phone and woke her up.

She started crying again. Face red. Arms flailing.

I had no choice.

I picked her up, dragged my aching body down the hall, and found Stellan's office.

"I want to request a room."

"Denied."

He was flipping through charts. Didn't even look up.

"Everyone in this hospital is watching me. I can't abuse my position to get you a room."

I stepped back. "Then can Evelyn and I just rest here in your office for a bit? Nobody can see us in here."

Stellan finally looked up. His eyes were tired. Almost cold.

"If you and the baby are in here, how am I supposed to work?"

I'd known him for years—he was a total workaholic.

Every text I sent him, he'd reply with a single "1." Meaning "got it."

I thought he was like that with everyone.

Then his phone rang. Ariadne.

He picked up before the first ring even finished.

His voice went soft. Like a completely different person.

"Hey, don't panic. I showed you how to burp him, remember?"

"Yeah, gentle, from the bottom up. It's okay. Babies cry. That's normal."

He paused. Then added, low and quiet: "Work's not as important as you."

So he could be gentle.

So he could teach someone how to burp a baby.

But Evelyn—since the moment she was born—he hadn't held her. Not once.

I grabbed his sleeve.

"Stellan. I just need you to answer one thing."

"Why does Ariadne get the VIP room while Evelyn and I are stuck in the hallway?"

He looked down at me. The coldness in his eyes made me take half a step back.

"You really don't know why?"

"Seven years ago. Winter. You pushed her into a pool."

"She's been coughing blood every winter since. Her health never recovered."

"Without me there, she wouldn't have even made it off the operating table."

"Odessa, do you really hate seeing her happy that much?"

My mouth hung open. Not a single word came out.

I'd explained this so many times. I didn't push her. I never touched her.

But they only believed Ariadne's tears. Convicted me without a second thought.

Stellan didn't wait for my answer. The corner of his mouth twitched.

"This is probably the biggest difference between you and Ariadne."

"If you were doing well, she'd be happy for you."

"But you? You're always making a scene. Never satisfied. Always jealous like a lunatic."

I shook my head, tears in my eyes. Reached for him. Grabbed at nothing.

He was the one who'd pulled me close by the waist. Whispered in my ear that he wanted a baby.

I thought that was our fresh start.

Turns out that was the last echo of anything tender.

I held Evelyn tight. Said it quietly.

"If I'm that awful, I'll stop bothering you."

"Stellan. Let's get a divorce."

His back seemed to stiffen. Just for a second.

But maybe it was just the light playing tricks. Maybe I imagined it.

He'd probably been waiting for me to say it. Probably relieved.

I'd been standing too long. The stitches on my belly started seeping again. Pain pulsing through me.

I gripped the edge of the desk. Steadied myself for a few seconds. Then pulled open the door and walked out.

A young nurse was standing right outside, phone in hand, like she'd just finished a call.

"Miss Odessa, Dr. Draven asked me to take you to a new room to rest."

She glanced at me. Then added, quiet: "What's your relationship with Dr. Draven, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I heard he traded his vacation days with another doctor to get you this room."

I pressed my lips together.

"Just friends."

Finally. A quiet place to lie down.

Evelyn calmed against my chest. Her eyelids drooped shut again.

I patted her back. Slow. Steady. Over and over.

But gradually, I noticed something. The warmth under my palm—it didn't feel right.