Chapter 3

Because he was born premature, my son was immediately whisked away to an incubator in the NICU.

I lay in that hospital bed for an entire day and night before Carter finally showed up the following morning.

He looked more exhausted and disheveled than I did after giving birth.

In his hand was a thermal takeout bag from a high-end breakfast deli downtown.

Inside was the exact savory broth I used to crave.

"Nina." He hurried to the bedside, his face awash with remorse as he grabbed my hand, which was attached to an IV drip.

"I’m so sorry. I drank way too much night before last and passed out."

"Chloe took my phone to play some stupid prank. I swear to God, I had no idea you went into labor."

He tried to set the thermal container on the nightstand, shooting me a pleading, eager-to-please smile.

"I stood in line for over an hour to get this. Drink it while it’s hot, okay?"

I stared at him, slid my hand out of his grip, and pointed toward the trash can by the door.

"Throw it out."

Carter froze.

"Nina, please don't be like this. I came as fast as I could, didn't I?"

"Where’s the baby? Is it a boy or a girl? Does he look like you, or like me?" he babbled, desperate to change the subject.

The door clicked open again, and Chloe appeared in the doorway holding a fruit basket.

Her eyes were rimmed with red, looking utterly pitiful.

"Nina, I’m so sorry," she said, stepping to the foot of the bed and bowing deeply.

"I only meant to joke around night before last. I had no idea you were actually delivering."

"Carter already chewed me out. Please, just forgive me this once."

Looking at her sickening little performance made bile rise in the back of my throat.

"Get out," I said, cold and flat.

Tears spilled down Chloe’s cheeks instantly as she looked helplessly toward Carter.

"Carter... is Nina still furious with me? I really know I messed up..."

Carter’s brow knit tight. He stepped squarely in front of Chloe, his voice laced with rising irritation.

"Nina, she already apologized! How long are you going to keep throwing this tantrum?"

"She’s young and naive. You’re the mature one here—can’t you just show a little grace?"

Looking at this man demanding that I "show grace" to the mistress who taunted me during labor, a wave of dark, bitter humor washed over me.

Without warning, I ripped the IV needle out of the back of my hand.

"Nina! What are you doing?!" Carter lunged forward in a panic, trying to clamp a hand over the bleeding puncture.

*Slap!*

A crisp, deafening blow cracked across Carter’s cheek.

He clutched his burning face, staring at me in absolute shock.

"Nina... you hit me?"

Chloe screamed and threw her arms around Carter’s sleeve.

"Nina, have you lost your mind?! Carter came all this way out of the kindness of his heart, and you strike him?!"

Ignoring her squawking, I reached into my drawer, pulled out a tablet, and tapped the screen.

Zephyr’s gentle, familiar voice resonated through the speaker:

"Nina, congratulations on becoming a mother. Don't be afraid. I will protect the two of you forever."

The moment Carter heard that voice, his eyes locked onto the tablet like a rabid beast.

"You kept another backup?!"

"Nina, are you trying to drive me into an early grave?!"