Chapter 2

The next morning, Sarah sat in the OB-GYN' s waiting room, the anonymous video a burning brand in her mind.

Dr. Evans confirmed the pregnancy, her smile kind.

"Everything looks good, Sarah. You're about six weeks along. Try to stay calm, avoid stress."

Calm. The word felt like a cruel joke.

Sarah nodded numbly, clutching the ultrasound picture, a tiny, blurry speck that was supposed to be joy.

Leaving the office, her steps were heavy.

The building housed multiple medical practices, a shared lobby downstairs.

And there, by the main entrance, stood Mark.

He was with Chloe.

Chloe was leaning on him, her face etched with a pained expression, pointing to her ankle.

Mark' s arm was around her waist, steadying her.

Sarah froze.

Mark looked up, saw her. His expression flickered – surprise, then a familiar impatience.

"Sarah? What are you doing here? Another fertility consultation?"

His voice was loud enough for Chloe to hear, a casual dismissal.

"Don't stress so much, okay? It's not good for you."

He didn't wait for an answer, turning his attention back to Chloe, his voice softening. "Easy there, Chloe. Let's get you to that urgent care for your ankle. Twisted it on a site visit, she says."

His hand lingered on Chloe' s arm, a gentle, possessive touch.

Sarah' s stomach churned.

Chloe looked at Sarah, her eyes wide, a mask of innocence. "Oh, Sarah! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

A memory surfaced, sharp and bitter.

Months ago, at a company picnic, Chloe had approached her, gushing.

"Sarah, you and Mark are total couple goals! I hope I find a love like yours someday."

The insincerity of it now was a fresh stab of pain.

Mark stepped slightly in front of Chloe, a protective gesture.

"She just needs a bit of help, Sarah. It's nothing."

Then, Sarah smelled it.

The faint, distinctive scent of Chloe' s perfume, the one she' d noticed clinging to Mark' s jackets after his recent "late nights at the office."

It was cloying, suffocating.

"She' s just a mentee, Sarah," Mark said, his tone defensive. "I'm helping her out."

Sarah' s voice was dangerously quiet. "A mentee?"

She pulled out her phone.