The brightness stung my eyes, and I quickly wiped away the tears, hoping he wouldn’t notice.
He crouched down in front of me, taking my hands in his. “Why are you crying, babe? Who made my big baby and little baby sad?”
He kissed my belly, calling the baby “little one” in that soft, affectionate voice he always used. But as he leaned closer, the faint, sickly sweet scent of jasmine lingered in the air.
I asked, my voice surprisingly calm, “Where have you been?”
He shrugged, playing it off. “Just working late at the office, honey. Why?”
I knew better. You were with Lily. You drove all the way across town for dumplings, the famous ones from the east side. They don’t deliver. She even live-streamed it for me.
I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I linked my fingers together and rested them on my belly, feeling a reassuring kick from my child. “Actually, honey, the baby and I are suddenly craving those dumplings. Can you grab some for us?”
Gabriel’s expression shifted, his irritation showing. He pulled his hand back and sighed. “What’s so special about those dumplings? You’re in your third trimester. You need to be careful with what you eat.”
I kept my tone even, forcing a smile. “For our son, honey. Just a little longer, please.”
He stood up, rubbing his eyes. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to shower first. Why don’t you call your mom to come cook for you?”
The bathroom door clicked shut behind him, and I sat there, swallowing the sharp pain in my chest.
I gently rubbed my belly, whispering softly, “Baby, it’s just us now. We’ll fight this together.”
