"He's going to be so handsome, Julian," a woman’s voice drifted through the gap in the door of Room 4B.
I recognized that tone. It was light, airy, and filled with a proprietary warmth.
Julian’s response was a low rumble I usually found grounding. Now, it made the hair on my arms stand up. "He'll have everything he needs. I promised you that, Mia."
I pulled my phone from my coat pocket. My fingers felt like lead, but I forced them to move. I swiped to the camera and hit the record button, holding the device steady against the doorframe.
Through the narrow opening, I saw Julian reach into his charcoal suit jacket. He pulled out a sleek, matte black credit card.
"Take it," he said, pressing the card into the blonde woman’s hand. "Don't worry about the limit. Just make sure you and the baby are comfortable. I don't want you stressing over hospital bills or the nursery."
Mia ran her thumb over the embossed lettering on the card. "You're too good to us. I know how busy you are with the merger."
"I have time for what matters," Julian replied.
He shifted, dropping onto one knee on the cold tile. He looked like a man at prayer. His large hands moved to her waist, resting gently over the curve of her blue hospital gown.
"Julian?" Mia whispered, her voice thick with affection.
He didn't answer with words. He leaned forward, closing his eyes, and pressed a tender, lingering kiss to her stomach.
The sight sent a jolt of nausea through me. My stomach rolled, and a bitter, acidic heat rose in my throat. I kept the camera rolling. I needed every second of this.
"He’s kicking," Julian murmured against her skin. He looked up at her, a genuine smile breaking across his face—a smile I hadn't seen directed at me in months. "He knows his father is here."
"He loves you already," Mia said, reaching down to stroke Julian’s dark hair.
A sharp rattle of metal wheels echoed from the far end of the corridor.
"Room 4C, I need the vitals monitor!" a nurse shouted.
I shoved the phone into my pocket and spun away from the door. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. I couldn't let them see me. I couldn't let the "perfect" life we built shatter in a hospital hallway.
I spotted the heavy steel door of the stairwell ten feet away. I moved, my bare feet silent on the linoleum. I slipped inside just as the nurse’s cart rounded the corner.
The stairwell was dim and smelled of stale cigarettes and floor wax. I leaned my back against the cold concrete wall and slid down until my haunches hit the floor.
I looked at my hands. They were shaking so violently I had to tuck them under my armpits. I forced myself to count.
*One. Two. Three.*
I had to get back. Julian would be looking for me.
I stood up, smoothed my hospital gown, and walked back into the hall. The orderly I’d seen earlier was gone. Room 4B was now closed.
I hurried back to Room 4A. I threw my clothes on with frantic, clumsy movements. My jeans felt tight, my sweater scratchy. I was tying my sneakers when the door handle turned.
Julian walked in, carrying two tall paper cups. The scent of roasted coffee and steamed milk followed him.
"Sorry that took so long," he said, his voice smooth and untroubled. "The line at the cafe downstairs was out the door. Everyone wants a caffeine fix on a Tuesday morning."
He stepped toward me and handed me a cup. "I got you a decaf latte. Extra foam, just the way you like it."
I took the cup. The cardboard was thin, and the heat of the liquid stung my fingertips. I didn't pull away. I gripped it tighter, letting the burn ground me.
"Thanks," I managed to say. I took a sip. It tasted like ash.
"Did the doctor finish up while I was gone?" Julian asked. He set his own coffee on the tray, right next to the phone Mia had been messaging.
"She printed the scans," I said, gesturing toward the counter. "She said everything looks healthy. Both of them."
Julian’s eyes softened, or at least he made them look that way. He stepped into my space, his hand reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
"You're still shaking, Clara," he noted. His fingers were warm against my skin. The same fingers that had been on Mia’s waist minutes ago. "Are you still in shock about the twins?"
"It’s a lot to take in," I said, tilting my head away from his touch. "Two babies. I wasn't expecting to double our family in one day."
"We can handle it," Julian said firmly. "I’ll hire whatever help we need. You won't have to lift a finger."
"I'm sure you have it all planned out," I replied. I swallowed hard, trying to keep the bile down. "You're always so good at managing things, Julian. Logistics. Finances. Secrets."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Secrets?"
"The nursery," I said quickly. "I know you wanted to surprise me with the decorator."
Julian laughed, a rich, easy sound that made my skin prickle. "You caught me. I just want everything to be perfect for you. You deserve the best."
He walked over to the counter and picked up the ultrasound photos. He stared at the two gray blurs for a long moment.
"Twins," he whispered. "A boy and a girl, maybe? Or two of each?"
"The doctor couldn't tell yet," I said.
Julian turned the photo over in his hand. He looked back at me, his expression unreadable.
"You know, it’s a small world," he said, his tone conversational.
"Is it?"
"I ran into an old acquaintance in the hallway while I was waiting for the elevator," Julian said. He took a slow sip of his coffee, watching me over the rim of the cup. "You’ll never guess who it was."
I held my breath, my fingers digging into the paper cup until the lid popped. "Who?"
Julian smiled, but the warmth didn't reach his eyes. "An old friend from the firm. She’s actually stayed on this floor. What are the odds of that?"
He stepped closer, his shadow looming over me in the small exam room.
"She asked about you, Clara. She said she’d love to catch up. Maybe we should invite her over for dinner once you’re feeling more like yourself?"
I stared at him, looking for a crack in the mask. There was nothing. Just the handsome, successful husband I’d loved for six years.
"I don't think I'm up for visitors, Julian," I said.
"Nonsense. It'll be good for you to socialize." He tapped the ultrasound scan against his palm. "After all, we have so much to celebrate now, don't we?"
He moved toward the door, gesturing for me to follow.
"Let’s get you home," he said. "I have a few more calls to make, and then I’m all yours for the rest of the evening."
As we walked out of the room, I saw the door to 4B open again. A nurse stepped out, but the room behind her was dark.
Julian didn't look back. He kept his hand firmly on the small of my back, guiding me toward the exit.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Julian said as we reached the elevators. He pulled his second phone—the black one—from his pocket. "I need to send a quick text to the office. Go ahead and press the button."
I watched his thumbs fly across the screen.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. A notification from a private cloud app I’d set up months ago.
*Upload Complete: Video_001.mp4*
I looked at Julian, who was smiling at his screen.
"Ready?" he asked, tucking the phone away as the elevator doors chimed and slid open.
"Ready," I lied.
We stepped into the mirrored car. As the doors closed, Julian caught my reflection.
"You know, Clara," he said, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "I ran into someone else, too. Someone you haven't seen in years. Someone who seemed very interested in your medical records."
The elevator began its descent, the floor dropping out from under my feet.
"Who, Julian?"
He leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. "Your sister."
My heart stopped. I didn't have a sister.
"But you already knew that, didn't you?" Julian asked, his grip on my arm tightening just a fraction too much.
