Chapter 5
The words hung in the room.
Adam looked at Sophia’s swollen belly.
Then at Noah.
The contradiction he had been too exhausted and frightened to question suddenly stood between them.
Sophia had given birth.
And yet she still looked heavily pregnant.
Adam had believed the doctors when they said postpartum swelling and complications could make recovery unusual.
But eight months pregnant?
No.
Something was wrong.
Sophia saw the confusion on his face.
“I can explain.”
Beatrice laughed.
“Now she wants to explain.”
Adam stared at his wife.
“Sophia?”
Her lower lip trembled.
“I was going to tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
She looked down at Noah.
Then at her stomach.
Then back at Adam.
“Noah isn’t the baby I’m carrying.”
Silence.
Adam felt the room tilt.
“What?”
Sophia began crying again.
“He’s my sister’s son.”
Adam stared.
Sophia had a younger sister.
Emma.
Twenty-two.
Wild, impulsive, estranged from most of the family.
Adam had met her only twice.
The last he heard, she had moved west.
“What are you saying?”
Sophia took a breath.
“Emma gave birth three days ago.”
Adam didn't move.
“She called me from the hospital. She was alone. She was scared.”
“And you brought her baby home?”
Sophia nodded.
“Temporarily.”
Beatrice snapped.
“Without telling my son.”
Sophia looked at her.
“I was going to tell him tonight.”
“After you moved a stranger’s child into his house?”
“He’s not a stranger.”
“To me he is.”
Adam lifted one hand.
“Stop.”
Both women went silent.
He looked at Sophia.
“Why would Emma give you her newborn?”
Sophia wiped her face.
“Because she thought someone was following her.”
Adam frowned.
“What?”
“She said the baby’s father was dangerous.”
Beatrice rolled her eyes.
“Convenient.”
May you like
Sophia ignored her.
“Emma disappeared from the hospital yesterday morning.”
