Evelyn’s nails dug deep into her palms. The medical report hidden in her wallet seemed to burn against her skin.
“No gift prepared?” Alexander chuckled, pinching her cheek. “Having my Dr. Carter spare time for dinner is the best birthday present.”
“I took next week off,” Evelyn blurted.
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t your research paper due soon?”
“I’ll manage.” She pressed her lips together. “We skipped our honeymoon. This will make up for it.”
His eyes lit up. “Perfect timing—my project wraps up next week.”
“Won’t it interfere with work?”
“I’ll adjust my schedule.” He suddenly remembered something. “You’re off tomorrow, right? High school reunion. Come with me.”
Three years married, and this was his first invitation to meet his friends. Thinking of her canceled birthday plans, Evelyn nodded quietly.
……
After a 36-hour hospital shift, Evelyn slept like the dead.
She woke to an empty bed.
As a doctor, she was used to this rhythm. She and Alexander lived like parallel lines—sharing a bed yet rarely intersecting.
“Alexander’s waiting outside,” called Margaret from downstairs.
Evelyn rushed out to find a white Cayenne idling at the curb. She opened the passenger door—and froze.
Red-rimmed eyes met hers.
“Dr. Carter?” Annabelle stroked her rounded belly, the crimson dress accentuating her porcelain skin.
Evelyn suddenly remembered—Alexander and Annabelle had been classmates for twelve years. She just never expected this “childhood friend” to be sitting in her husband’s front seat.
“I get carsick,” Annabelle said, tossing her hair. The SUV’s height gave her a condescending vantage. “I’ll vomit in the back.”
Evelyn noted her full makeup and the tear tracks still glistening at her temples.
“Sorry, Dr. Carter—you’ll have to sit behind me.” Annabelle caressed her stomach. “In my condition…”
“How long?”
“Until the baby comes.” Annabelle smiled. “My parents are at the care facility. Alexander’s kind enough to help. Oh, and your downtown apartment is closer to the hospital. I’ll be moving in.”
This wasn’t a request—it was a decree.
Evelyn turned to the driver. “Your idea?”
Alexander looked uncomfortable. “It is more convenient for the hospital…”
“So it’s decided?”
“Annabelle’s my closest friend…”
Closest friend? Evelyn scoffed inwardly. A three-year silence, then she reappears pregnant—and her husband surrenders the front seat without a fight.
“Get in,” Alexander urged, his eyes avoiding the rearview mirror.
……
The lounge bar was dimly lit. Throughout the drive, Annabelle had been touching up her makeup.
“Pretty?” She turned to Alexander.
“Beautiful.”
“Pregnant women can’t even wear lipstick.” She pouted, then extended a hand. “Where’s my phone?”
Alexander instinctively pulled it from his pocket. “Still forgetting everything.”
“You kept the same passcode!” Annabelle winked.
Evelyn’s grip tightened on her purse. This “best friend” who supposedly hadn’t spoken to him in three years remembered his phone password perfectly.
“Look out—!”
Screeching brakes filled the air as a truck barreled toward them. Alexander swerved violently—just as Annabelle threw herself into his arms.
