Chapter 1 Their Baby
"Ma''am, your test results show that your uterine wall is unusually thin, which puts the baby at risk. You''ll need to be really careful with what you eat and how much activity you do," the doctor said, handing Sabrina Chavez a prescription slip. "Here, take this down to the pharmacy."
"Okay, doctor," Sabrina replied, carefully taking the paper from him.
The doctor leaned forward slightly. "I''m serious about this—you need to take extra care of yourself. A thin uterine wall significantly increases your risk of miscarriage. And unfortunately, women who lose a pregnancy often have trouble conceiving again."
"I understand. I''ll be very careful," Sabrina promised, managing a determined smile.
After three years of marriage and three years of trying, this baby meant everything to her. She''d do whatever it took to protect it.
After leaving the doctor''s office and picking up her medication, Sabrina headed back to her car.
The driver started the engine and caught her eye in the rearview mirror.
"Mrs. Blakely, your husband''s flight gets in at three this afternoon. We''ve got about twenty minutes. Should we head to the airport now?"
"Yes, let''s go."
The thought of seeing her husband in just a few minutes made Sabrina''s heart flutter with excitement.
Tyrone Blakely had been away on business for almost a month. She''d missed him terribly.
During the drive, she kept looking at the pregnancy report, her hand unconsciously resting on her stomach.
In just eight months, she and Tyrone would be holding their baby.
She couldn''t wait to tell him the news.
When they reached the airport, the driver found a parking spot. "Want me to call Mr. Blakely now?"
Sabrina checked her watch and tried calling Tyrone, but it went straight to voicemail.
"His flight''s probably delayed. Let''s wait a little longer."
They waited and waited, but Tyrone never appeared.
She tried calling again. Still no answer.
"Let''s keep waiting."
Flight delays happened all the time—sometimes for hours.
Two hours later, Sabrina tried calling Tyrone again. This time, someone picked up immediately.
"Tyrone, did you land?"
There was silence, then an unfamiliar woman''s voice came through. "Sorry, Tyrone''s in the bathroom right now. He''ll call you back."
Before Sabrina could respond, the line went dead.
She stared at her phone, confused.
As far as she knew, Tyrone didn''t have a female assistant on this trip.
Staring at the blank screen, Sabrina waited anxiously for Tyrone to call back.
Ten minutes passed.
No call.
Five minutes later, she tried again.
After several rings, a familiar male voice finally answered. "Sabrina?"
"Tyrone, where are you? We''re still waiting at the airport."
A pause. "Sorry, I forgot to turn my phone back on after landing. I already left the airport."
Sabrina''s excitement deflated. "Oh. Well, I''ll wait for you at home then. I have something important to tell you."
"Actually, I need to talk to you about something too."
"I''ll have the cook make your favorite dinner."
"Don''t wait up for me. I have some business to take care of. I''ll be home late."
Trying to hide her disappointment, Sabrina said, "Okay."
Just as she was about to hang up, she heard that woman''s voice again in the background.
"Tyrone, sorry—I forgot to mention that Sabrina called earlier."
Sabrina''s heart dropped, and she frowned. She was about to ask Tyrone about the woman when the call ended abruptly.
Staring at her phone screen, Sabrina pressed her lips together in disappointment. She turned to the driver. "Let''s go home."
The driver, noticing her mood, quietly drove her back.
Despite feeling upset, Sabrina forced herself to eat something for the baby''s sake.
The TV was on in the living room, but she wasn''t really watching. She sat on the couch with a pillow in her arms, checking her watch every few minutes.
By ten o''clock, exhaustion took over and she fell asleep on the couch.
Suddenly, she felt someone lifting her up.
Half-awake, Sabrina caught a familiar scent mixed with alcohol. "Tyrone?" she mumbled.
