Chapter 3

Down in the comments, Maud told the story of her childhood with Milton from a third party's point of view, hinting all the while that I was the one who'd forced my way in.

The sympathy that had filled the thread turned on a dime.

"People you pity always turn out to have earned it."

"Pregnant before marriage. What kind of decent woman does that?"

The world tilted. I curled in on myself, wrung dry.

I lay on the floor for a long time before the dizziness finally dragged me under.

When I came to, I was in a hospital.

Milton sat at the bedside. When he saw me open my eyes, something faintly tender flickered in his.

"Why didn't you tell me you felt sick? Thank God Maud found you in time."

He reached over and touched my forehead, letting out a breath.

"The fever's finally broken."

I turned my gaze away, calm, an exhaustion in me I couldn't put into words.

Outside the window it was already pitch black.

When I reached for my phone, Milton went stiff.

He wore the look of a man with something to say and no way to say it. A few seconds passed before he handed it over.

An uneasy feeling rose in me from nowhere.

I lit up the screen. The notifications had exploded. My name was sitting there on the trending list, all by itself.

News Anchor Yvonne Had a High School Abortion.

Three hours ago, Maud, calling herself my high school classmate, had posted again under the wedding thread, claiming I'd seduced a married male teacher back in high school and done filthy things with him right there in the classroom.

Below it she'd posted a class graduation photo, and a picture of the male teacher taking me to an OB-GYN.

Tears fell before I even knew they were coming. I looked up, at Milton.

"What do you two get out of destroying me?"

"This has nothing to do with Maud." Milton's voice was flat and final. "She doesn't know your high school classmates, and there's no way she'd have photos like that."

"Most likely you offended someone, and they made up a rumor. Or maybe it was true all along—"

He stopped, and didn't finish.

A violent, stinging burn shot up through my nose. I lifted my head, unable to believe it.

"You think it's true?"

Milton looked away from me.

"True or not, it's in the past, Vonnie. It's not like I'd break up with you over something like this."

My chest ached, tight and heavy.

Just then, Mr. Finch from the station called again.

"Yvonne, you know how it is—there are lines you can't cross in our line of work. For now, take care of your personal matters. I'm going to have someone fill in for your slot for the time being."

The phone slid dumbly from my ear.

I stared at the ceiling for a long while, then rasped out, "Milton. Let's break up. This is where it ends."

Milton pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice worn thin.

"Yvonne, stop making a scene."

"I know you're upset, but you're not really going to throw me away. We've been together seven years. You're carrying my child."

Seven years of love. My child.

In the end they'd become nothing but the bargaining chips he was so sure would keep me from leaving.

My heart felt scooped hollow, and yet, somehow, it didn't hurt as much anymore.

That was when Maud called. Milton glanced at me, then stepped out to take it.

When he came back in, all he did was leave me with instructions. "Vonnie, Maud has depression. I'm going back to be with her first. Get some rest. Grown-ups have to learn to take care of themselves."

I watched his back as he left, and found that even disappointment felt like too much effort.

The nurse came in and ran into Milton at the door.

"Are you Ms. Yvonne's family? She had a labor induction this morning—"

She never finished. Milton was already walking off, not slowing his stride, only saying, "I've got things to do."

The nurse looked over at me, sympathy in her eyes.

"Ms. Yvonne, you had the induction procedure this morning. Make sure you rest well these next few days, and try not to let your emotions swing too much."

I closed my eyes, and nodded.

I stayed in the hospital until the following afternoon, then went back to the wedding house to pack my things.