Chapter 1

**OLIVIA**

I really hoped Nick would come home early today. He''d barely been around since he started working closely with my best friend Sandra. Sure, things had been crazy at the office, but I was still holding out hope that today would be different—it was our fourth anniversary, after all. Plus, I had huge news: I was finally pregnant. We were about to have the family we''d always dreamed of.

I couldn''t wait to see his face when I told him. And my mother-in-law? She was going to absolutely lose her mind with excitement. I''d call her right after I told Nick. I was pretty sure they''d cut their vacation short once they heard about the baby.

I hummed while I bustled around the kitchen, cooking up a storm. Despite everything feeling a little off between Nick and me lately, I was genuinely happy. Maybe once he heard about the pregnancy, he''d go back to being the man I fell in love with.

Just as I set the last dish on the dining table, I heard the front door open. My heart did a little leap, and I practically ran to greet him. Nick was hanging up his jacket when I reached him, but he didn''t exactly look thrilled to see me. I smiled anyway and went for it. "Hey, babe," I said, moving in for a hug just as Sandra walked in behind him, all smiles.

Wait, what? Why was she here? I''d specifically told her it was our anniversary and that I wanted the evening alone with Nick.

"Sandra? Hey..." I forced a smile.

She pulled me into a hug. "Hey, girl! Nick and I still have some work stuff to hammer out, but I suggested we finish up here."

Fine. I''d talk to Nick after dinner, once Sandra left.

"Food''s already on the table. Let me just grab some drinks," I said.

A few minutes later, we were all seated in the dining room. I figured I''d try some light conversation. "So Nick, how was your day? I hope things are finally settling down at the office."

He barely glanced at me. "You chose to stay home and play house. Why do you suddenly care about work? It''s not like it affects you anymore."

Ouch. That stung. I was his wife—didn''t I have the right to ask about his day?

"I actually got you something," I said, starting to get up.

"I don''t need anything," he said dismissively. "Why are you being so clingy today?"

My heart sank. Had he seriously forgotten our anniversary? When did he start forgetting stuff like that? And when did he start talking to me like this? What happened to my husband? Every day he seemed colder, more distant.

I sat back down, feeling crushed.

"Come on, Nick. Olivia just misses you. She didn''t mean to bug you," Sandra jumped in.

What made her think I was bugging him? Was it because she was closer to him now than I was? Because they spent every waking moment together at work, building some kind of bond? That bond had no business messing with my marriage. Nick should still love me, still treat me right. But apparently, that wasn''t the case anymore.

I watched them chat like I wasn''t even there. Nick smiled more at her than he had at me in weeks, this gentleness in his voice that I hadn''t heard in forever. My heart was breaking. That warmth, that affection—it was supposed to be mine.

When dinner was over, I said, "I''ll clear the table. You guys done?"

Nick didn''t even look at me, just pushed his plate in my direction while staying locked in conversation with Sandra. My hand drifted to my stomach, rubbing it gently. *Oh, baby, your daddy''s not ready to hear about you yet. But I''ll tell him soon, I promise. And he''s going to be so happy you''re finally here.*

As I started gathering plates, Sandra piped up. "Oh, do you want help clearing?"

I didn''t answer, just collected everything and headed to the kitchen. Once I got to the sink, I gripped the edge and took some deep breaths, trying to hold it together and keep the tears from falling.

Sandra followed me in. "So how does it feel?" she asked, her voice dripping with smugness.

I turned around, confused. "How does what feel?"

She smirked, stepping closer. "Knowing your husband doesn''t care about you anymore. Knowing you''re losing him... to me."

Rage shot through me like lightning. "Sandra, you—"

"AHHH! Olivia! What are you doing?!" she suddenly screamed, throwing herself to the floor.

I just stood there, completely frozen. What was I doing? What was *she* doing? That was the real question here.

Nick came running in and immediately dropped to her side as she started sobbing.

He looked up at me with pure fury. "What the hell did you do?"

"I... I didn''t do anything!" I stammered, totally lost. What was happening? This was obviously some kind of performance on Sandra''s part.

"Nick... oh God, Nick... there''s blood. I''m losing the baby!" Sandra wailed.

I gasped. Baby? What baby?

Nick scooped her up and rushed out with her in his arms. I followed, but he spun around, his face twisted with so much hatred that I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Isn''t what you''ve already done to me enough? Now you''re going after her too? You better pray she doesn''t lose that baby, or I swear I''ll make you pay for everything you''ve done!"