Chapter 3

At seven the next morning, Julian was up early.

"Babe, I'm heading out.

Vivian will be here in a few minutes. Don't be nervous."

I tried to push myself up, but a sharp, dragging cramp ripped through my lower belly.

The pain made me gasp. Instinctively, I grabbed his arm.

"Julian... my stomach hurts so badly. Can you please stay...?"

Julian casually brushed my hand away and stepped back.

"Don't be dramatic. Stop scaring yourself."

He checked his luxury watch impatiently.

"Babe, I'm really running late.

Vivian is already downstairs. She'll take you to the hospital. I gotta run."

Without looking back, he dashed out the door.

Just as I picked up my phone to call 911, Vivian walked in.

She was wearing a full face of glamorous makeup with styled hair.

Pinned to her lapel was a discreet cherry brooch.

"Chloe, I'm here! Bestie duty starts now!"

She took my hand, subtly angling her chest so the hidden camera pointed directly at my face.

Just then, my phone vibrated with a text:

"Driver is in position."

Almost at the same moment, another violent contraction hit me.

A gush of warm fluid trickled down my legs.

My water broke.

"Vivian... go grab my hospital bag from the master bedroom. The baby is coming..."

I pointed toward the bedroom.

Hearing that labor had started, Vivian's voice pitched high with excitement.

"Don't move! I'll get it right now! Just hold it in!"

The second she vanished into the bedroom closet, I turned without looking back.

I grabbed the pre-packed go-bag hidden beneath the coffee table.

Then, I slapped the signed divorce papers right onto the counter.

I walked out the front door and locked it behind me.

Without pausing for a breath, I rode the elevator down into the private garage.

A black executive van was idling in the bay.

The driver jumped out immediately, opening the door and taking my bag.

"Miss Carter, straight to the private maternity wing?"

"Yes. Floor it."

The moment the car pulled out, I finally breathed. But the contractions were coming faster and harder.