Lauren Simmons. Gavin Delgado's first love. One week ago, she'd made a high-profile return to Kingsford.
Since then, Gavin had barely come home. The few times he did, he carried her perfume on his clothes.
“Ms. Simmons, that cup is mine.”
I came downstairs and said it calmly.
Lauren's hand trembled. Scalding coffee spilled across the back of her hand, and she let out a sharp cry, her eyes instantly reddening.
“I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I just wanted to make Gavin a cup of coffee……”
The master bedroom door opened upstairs.
Gavin stepped out in his robe. One glance took in Lauren with her reddened eyes and me standing expressionless beside her.
His face darkened instantly. He came down the stairs in long strides and seized Lauren's hand to examine it.
“What happened?”
Lauren sniffled, glancing at me timidly, wanting to speak but holding back.
“It's fine, Gavin. I'm just clumsy. I used Ms. Henson's cup by mistake, and she wasn't too happy about it.”
Gavin's head snapped toward me, his gaze sharp enough to cut.
“Eudora, it's a cup. You're throwing a fit over a cup?”
“Go get the burn cream. If Lauren scars, you're answering for it.”
I stood where I was and watched him cradle Lauren's hand, blowing gently on the burn. That gentle look—five years beside him, and I had never once seen it.
Five years ago, when I threw myself in front of him and the blast wave left my left ear streaming with blood, all he did was frown, hand me a check, and tell me to take myself to the hospital.
“President Delgado, the burn cream is in the medicine cabinet. Second shelf.”
I pointed toward the TV console. I didn't move.
He clearly hadn't expected me to refuse a direct order. Surprise flashed across his face, then fury swallowed it whole.
“Eudora, you've gotten bold. Since when do you ignore what I tell you to do?”
“I have somewhere to be. I'm heading out.”
I picked up my bag, didn't spare either of them another look, and walked out of the villa.
Behind me, Gavin's voice erupted, raw with fury：
“Walk out that door and don't bother coming back! Cancel her card—let's see how long she keeps up the attitude!”
Outside the gates of Hillside Manor, I drew in a slow breath of cool morning air.
Gavin, you've probably forgotten.
In five years, every cent I spent, aside from Grandma Stella's medical bills, came from my own salary.
I loved money, sure. But I valued my own neck more.
The OB-GYN corridor was packed.
I sat wedged into a corner wearing a mask and a baseball cap, the appointment slip clenched tight in my hand.
“Eudora Henson.”
My name flashed on the call screen.
I stepped into the examination room. The doctor was a kind-faced woman in her forties.
“Congratulations. Four weeks along. The fetus is developing well.”
The breath I'd been holding finally left me, and in its wake came a complicated ache, bitter and sour all at once.
It was real.
Last month, Gavin had come home drunk. It was the only time he'd forgotten protection, and the only gamble I'd ever taken.
“However, you're somewhat malnourished. And your left ear……”
The doctor studied my chart, concern creasing her brow.
“Make sure you rest during the pregnancy. Your body's run-down—you don't have much in reserve.”
“I know. Thank you, Doctor.”
I touched the tiny hearing aid hidden behind my left ear and smiled bitterly to myself.
This ear was the price I'd paid saving Gavin, and the biggest thing keeping me tethered to him now.
Gavin despised imperfection. He had no idea my left ear was nearly deaf.
Late at night he always leaned close to my left side to talk, and all I could do was murmur back at the right moments, pretending I'd heard every word when I couldn't make out a single one.
Outside the hospital, my phone rang. The care facility.
