Chapter 4

Isaiah never called back that night. Instead, Aiden kept me company through FaceTime.

Watching him excitedly talk about his life on the other side of the screen, my eyes filled with tears.

"Aiden... I'm not around anymore in your timeline, am I?"

His eyes turned red instantly, and he slowly nodded.

"You committed suicide last year because of severe depression..."

My heart shattered. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I wished more than anything I could reach through the screen and hug his fragile body.

"I'm so sorry, baby... This time, I promise I will stay with you. I will watch you grow up."

"We will be together forever."

The next morning, I saw Chloe’s reply: [Okay.]

I drove to the bridal boutique early. On the way, an overwhelming sense of dread washed over me.

Suddenly, Aiden’s FaceTime call came through.

His face was pale with terror. "Mom! Don't drive!"

"Don't—"

Before he could finish, a massive truck ran a red light, speeding straight toward me.

I spun the steering wheel wildly, but it was too late.

The deafening crash echoed in my ears as the airbag slammed into my face.

A sharp, agonizing pain shot through my entire body, and I felt something warm and wet draining out of me.

With the last ounce of my strength, I looked at the phone screen.

Aiden’s face was fading. In my fading consciousness, I heard his weak, sobbing voice.

"Mom!"

"Mom, I'm sorry... I don't think I can have you watch me grow up anymore..."

When I woke up, the smell of disinfectant filled my nose.

I stared at the sterile white ceiling and slowly placed my hand on my flat, empty belly.

Tears fell silently.

Suddenly, Chloe’s hysterical voice drifted in from outside the hospital room door.

"I did it! I hired that truck! I just wanted her to lose the baby!"

"I'm a monster! Why do you still love me?!"

My brain exploded with a loud buzz.

My fingernails dug deep into my palms. Dragging my bruised, aching body out of bed, I leaned against the door.

It was her. She had planned the crash.

The screaming outside continued.

"I couldn't stand the thought of you having a child with her! I couldn't stand seeing you treat her better than me! I am that evil!"

"I tried to kill my best friend's baby! Do you still want to be with me now?!"

Chloe was crying hysterically, but Isaiah’s angry outburst never came.

I expected him to yell, to be furious, to call the police and demand justice for our dead child.

But instead, he just pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.

"It's okay. Don't be scared. I'll handle everything for you."

"As long as Eliana doesn't find out, we can pretend none of this ever happened, okay?"

She froze. And so did I.

In a daze, I remembered the day I tested positive for pregnancy. He had cheered and spun me around.

He was so happy that he ran around our neighborhood, telling every neighbor he passed that he was going to be a father.

But now, he was holding Chloe, showing no grief for our lost baby. He was only concerned with soothing the crying murderer in his arms.

I coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood. It was all so sickeningly absurd.

I pushed the door open and spoke quietly.

"I heard everything."