“It might take a little longer for your body to recover, Mrs. Miller.”
Dr. Evans’ voice was gentle, professional, but the words hung heavy in the sterile white room. I sat on the examination table, the paper crinkling beneath me.
“The miscarriage was traumatic,” she continued, glancing at my chart. “Your hormone levels are still stabilizing. Stress is a major factor. You need to give yourself time before trying again.”
I let my shoulders slump, burying my face in my hands. I forced a sob to shudder through my chest. It wasn't hard. The grief for my baby was real, a constant ache in my bones, even if the performance for my husband was calculated.
“Oh, Maureen,” Brandon cooed instantly. “It’s okay, baby,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head. “Don’t cry. We have time. We have all the time in the world.”
“Thank you, Doctor. I’ll make sure she rests. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”
“She’s lucky to have you,” Dr. Evans said with a warm smile.
I squeezed my eyes shut against his shirt. Lucky. That word again. If only she knew that the man holding me was the reason I was so stressed, the reason my body was rejecting the very idea of bringing another life into this house.
That evening, the performance continued at the Miller family estate.
“So,” Brandon’s mother said, cutting into her steak with surgical precision. “What did the doctor say? When can we expect an heir?”
I stared at my plate, pushing a pea around with my fork.
“Mother,” Brandon said, his voice warning.
“It’s a valid question,” his father grunted. “The terms of the trust are clear, Brandon. A stable marriage. A family. Your grandfather wants to see a great-grandchild before he passes. If there’s no baby…” He let the sentence trail off, the threat of disinheritance hanging in the air.
“We are trying,” Brandon said, reaching over to squeeze my hand on the table. His grip was tight, almost painful. “But Maureen needs time. She lost a child. We both did.”
“Time is money,” his mother sniffed. “And frankly, Maureen, you’re not getting any younger. Perhaps if you hadn’t been so careless with the first one—”
“Enough!” Brandon slammed his hand on the table. “You will not speak to her like that,” Brandon said, his voice shaking with righteous anger. He stood up, glaring at his parents. “I don’t care about the inheritance. I don’t care about the money. I care about my wife. If you pressure her one more time, we are leaving.”
He looked at me, his eyes filled with a fierce, protective fire. “Are you okay, Mo?”
“Thank you,” I whispered, squeezing his hand back. “I’m okay.”
“We’re leaving,” Brandon announced. He pulled me up from the chair, wrapping his arm around my waist as he guided me out of the lion’s den.
In the car, he was still fuming. “I’m so sorry about them, Maureen. They’re vultures. I’d choose you over that money any day.”
“I know,” I said softly. “You’re wonderful, Brandon.”
Liar. We arrived home to the sound of pop music blasting from the living room.
Denise was there, lounging by the indoor pool that opened into the living area. She was wearing a neon pink bikini that left nothing to the imagination. She was wet, dripping water onto the expensive rug, sipping a cocktail.
I stopped in the doorway. The exhaustion of the day, the doctor, the dinner, the lies—it all boiled over.
“When is she leaving our house?” I asked. My voice was cold, cutting through the music.
Denise looked up, feigning surprise. “Oh! You guys are back early.”
“I asked a question,” I said, turning to Brandon. “When is she leaving? It’s been months.”
Denise’s face crumbled into a pout. “Oh, wait. You don’t want me here anymore? I’m sorry, Maureen. Did I do something wrong?”
“I just don’t want her walking around like that,” I said, gesturing to her nearly naked body. “It’s inappropriate. It seems like she’s trying to seduce you, Brandon.”
“What?” Brandon laughed, a nervous, incredulous sound. “Maureen, what are you saying? She’s like a sister to me! That’s disgusting.”
“She’s not your sister,” I snapped. “And she’s not mine. She walks around half-naked, she drinks all our wine, and she disrespects me in my own home. I’m tired of it.”
I looked him dead in the eye. “Choose, Brandon. It’s her or me. I’m not living like this anymore.”
I turned on my heel and marched to the bedroom.
Brandon followed me, slamming the door behind him.
“What was that?” he demanded. “Are you crazy? Kicking her out? She has nowhere to go!”
“She has a brother,” I said, pulling my earrings off. “She can go to Kyle.”
“You’re being unreasonable,” he paced the room. “Are you jealous? Is that what this is? You’re jealous of a twenty-two-year-old girl?”
“I’m jealous that my husband seems to care more about her comfort than his wife’s feelings!” I shouted back. It felt good to yell, even if the reason was fake. “I just lost a baby, Brandon! And I have to come home to… to that? To a frat party in my living room?”
Brandon stopped pacing. He took a deep breath, running a hand down his face. His face softened. He walked over and took my hands.
“You’re right,” he sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I didn't think about how it looked to you. I’m just… I’m under a lot of pressure with the family and work. I shouldn't have snapped.”
He kissed my knuckles. “But you can’t just kick her out tonight. It’s late. And you were harsh, Maureen. She’s just a kid. She looks up to you.”
“She doesn't respect me,” I muttered.
“She does,” he insisted. “She’s just immature. Look, you should apologize. Just to keep the peace. For me? Please? I’ll talk to her about the clothes. I promise. But don’t make enemies with Kyle’s sister. Kyle is my best friend, and he will be back soon.”
“Fine,” I whispered, defeated.
Later that night, Brandon fell asleep instantly, exhausted from his day of juggling lies.
I lay awake for a long time. Then, quietly, I slipped out of bed to prepare a gift for him he’d never forget.
