Chapter 3

Claire's POV

The basement is cold and damp. No windows. Just a weak overhead light. I sink down onto the freezing floor, still dripping wet.

I don't know how long I've been down here. Everything hurts. But none of it compares to how cold I feel inside.

I close my eyes and count down. How many days until the plan? Three? Four? I have to make it until then.

Finally, footsteps outside the door.

Ryan walks in. That face I used to love looks guilty and worried.

He crouches down like he's going to touch me. I pull back. His hand stops mid-reach and falls.

"I know this is too much." His voice sounds tired. "But you shouldn't have gone after Sophia like that. She's pregnant. Her emotions are everywhere right now. You need to cut her some slack."

I almost laugh. Cut her some slack? Who cut me slack when they held me underwater until I couldn't breathe? Who cut me slack when they locked me down here?

But I don't say any of this. I just lift my head weakly. "That baby isn't yours."

I'm not even angry anymore. Just exhausted.

He frowns, looking irritated. "Enough. Stop saying that."

He pauses, his tone softening a bit. "I know you're hurt. But just hang in there a little longer. After she has the baby, I'll get them to leave. Then we'll get married. I've already been looking at venues."

I close my eyes.

There was a time when he believed everything I said without question. Even the most ridiculous things. He'd listen carefully, think it through, never doubt a single word.

Now the truth is staring him in the face, and he chooses to ignore it.

I nod slowly. "Okay. I won't go after her anymore."

Ryan relaxes. He helps me up. My legs feel shaky. I can barely stand.

"I'll have someone bring you hot water and clean clothes. Get some rest. We have something important tomorrow."

I don't ask what. I just keep counting down in my head. A few more days. A few more days and I'll be free.

---

The next morning I'm sitting in the passenger seat, watching in the rearview mirror as he helps Sophia into the car.

She gets in the back. He slides in next to her.

"Is your seatbelt on?" He leans over to check. "Don't let it press on your stomach."

"The road might be bumpy. Lean on me."

"I made an appointment with the best doctor. If you're tired after the checkup, we can grab food nearby."

Every word cuts. I'm sitting up front like some rideshare passenger with no connection to the couple in back.

Sophia leans against his shoulder. "I'm actually kind of nervous. Last time the doctor said I was a little anemic. I hope nothing's wrong this time."

He tenses up immediately. "Don't worry. If you need to stay for observation, we'll stay as long as it takes."

"What if something's wrong with the baby?" Her hand rests on her belly, eyes welling up.

He takes her hand. "Nothing will be wrong. You and the baby will both be fine. I promise."

I turn to look out the window. Out of the corner of my eye I catch her in the rearview mirror, watching me with the faintest smile. A winner's smile.

Then she says casually, "Claire should get checked out too. I saw her fall pretty hard by the pool."

"Yeah, we will." He doesn't even look up, voice flat.

I close my eyes. I don't want to see anymore. Don't want to hear anymore.

Suddenly, a massive crash.

My head slams into the window. Everything goes black. All I hear is screeching brakes, shattering glass, Sophia screaming.

When I come to, the seatbelt is crushing my chest. My ribs are on fire, like something's been smashed inside. I fumble with the buckle, every breath cutting like a knife.

I turn to look at the back seat.

Ryan's face is covered in blood, but his first move is checking on Sophia.

"Where does it hurt? Your stomach? Are you bleeding?" His voice is shaking.

She's pale, holding her belly, crying. "It hurts... the baby's moving... what if something's wrong..."

I force myself upright. "I'm hurt too..."

No one looks at me.

Ten minutes later, an ambulance pulls up, sirens blaring. Two paramedics jump out.

"Three injured, we can only take one!" The lead paramedic says. "Another ambulance is twenty minutes out. Who's hurt the worst?"

Ryan says immediately, "Her! She's pregnant! It was a bad hit and she keeps saying her stomach hurts!"

The paramedic checks Sophia. "She could be miscarrying. We need to move now."

Then he looks at me, does a quick assessment. "Broken ribs, looks like. But you're stable. Can you wait?"

Before I can answer, Ryan decides for me. "She can wait! Take my wife!"

The paramedics lift Sophia onto the stretcher. Ryan follows. Right before he gets in the ambulance, he glances back at me.

"I'm sorry! She's pregnant. I have to make sure she and the baby are okay! This is my brother's child. I have to do right by him! The next ambulance will be here soon. Just hold on! Once I get her settled, I'll send someone for you!"

The ambulance doors close. The siren starts up. It drives away.

I lean against the crumpled car door, watching the ambulance disappear.