Chapter 2

But I couldn't get a single smile out.

Five minutes ago, in another woman's phone, he'd been saying women drivers were useless.

I pushed, which I rarely did.

"But I'm not feeling well."

Miles wrote back without a second's pause.

"Then that's perfect, rest up for a few extra days. Something's come up with my parents too, so I need to see to them first."

"It's fine if you don't come, I'll just let them know."

I looked at the pricey fruit and specialty gifts on the back seat and took a slow breath.

"But isn't tomorrow your mom's birthday? I'm her daughter-in-law, the least I can do is show some respect. And it's a chance to let her see her grandch—"

Miles cut me off, doting, not even thinking it through.

"Come on, my parents get shy around new people. We've always just celebrated as a family. There's really no need for you to rush all the way over."

"I feel for you, Nessa."

I stared at the screen, and then, as if something moved my hand for me, I asked Olympia.

"Ollie, remind me, what were you headed to Bristol Gardens for again?"

Olympia was touching up her makeup. She answered with a smile.

"Oh, it's my boyfriend's mom's birthday. She absolutely insisted I come!"

"Honestly, I didn't even want to go, but my future mother-in-law says she has some family heirloom jade bracelet to give me, so I had no choice but to make the trip out."

The hand gripping my phone had gone a little white. I kept my eyes locked on the chat with Miles.

Five years together, right up until we married because I was pregnant, and to this day I was still an outsider in my husband's mouth.

And this Olympia, whoever she was, got to celebrate a birthday with his whole family, got the heirloom jade bracelet from my mother-in-law.

All at once it struck me as funny.

I ground my teeth and typed out the last few words.

"Miles, I'm pregnant."

"Either you come back and stay with me, or you come get me and take me to your mom's."

"Are you really going to leave me here on my own? I'm carrying your child!"

Miles seemed busy on his end. It was a while before he sent back a careless reply.

"You're healthy enough to go hiking up mountains, what could possibly be wrong with you?"

"Stop making a scene, Nessa, I'm swamped."

"If you've got that much time on your hands, go drive some rideshare fares and help with the bills, instead of always picking fights with me and wasting my time."

I breathed in deep, again and again, until the sick feeling in my stomach faded, and then I typed two clean words.

"Divorce."

Nothing came back.

I looked over at Olympia, playing on her phone in the passenger seat.

"Sorry, something came up, I'm not going to Bristol Gardens. You'll have to grab a cab yourse—"

Before I could finish, Olympia let out a delighted squeal, clutching her phone.

"Nessa, my boyfriend actually came to pick me up!"

I looked up, startled, and saw Miles hurrying across the road toward us.

Olympia was glowing with happiness.

"I told him not to come, I didn't want him going to the trouble, but he insisted. He's so clingy."

"What am I supposed to do with him."

"Nessa, thanks so much for the whole ride. I'm getting out now! Stay safe out there!"

With that, she bounced out of the car and ran straight into Miles's arms.

My hand jerked, and I hurried to yank down the rearview mirror in front of me.

At that same moment Miles's eyes turned this way.

I heard him say, disgusted,

"Ollie, from now on you're not to take some random car like this. And definitely not a woman driver, her skills are that bad. If she wants to get herself killed in a crash that's her business, but what if she'd hurt you? Think how it would break my heart!"

"And a car like that, driven by a pregnant woman, no less, she's obviously some rich man's kept mistress. Stay away from a woman like that."

All at once I went calm.

That's right. I bought this luxury car without ever telling Miles.

The windows were all privacy glass. He couldn't see me.

So of course he had no idea this was my car.