Chapter 1
I came home from a three-week business trip and found my eight-month-pregnant wife scrubbing the floor on her knees—while my mother sat on the sofa telling her she’d missed a spot.
For a second, I couldn’t understand what I was seeing.
“Emily?”
My wife froze with the wet cloth still in her hand.
She slowly looked up at me, and my stomach dropped.
There was a dark bruise near her cheek and another around her wrist.
My mother, Diane, calmly crossed her legs on the sofa.
“You’re home early, Ryan.”
I dropped my suitcase.
“What happened to her?”
Emily tried to stand, but one hand immediately went to her swollen belly.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.”
I rushed toward her, but she flinched when I reached for her arm.
That tiny movement scared me more than the bruises.
My mother sighed.
“She’s been dramatic the entire time you were gone.”
I stared at her.
“Dramatic?”
“She refuses to help around the house, sleeps half the day, and uses that pregnancy as an excuse.”
Emily’s eyes filled with tears.
“I told her the doctor said I needed to rest.”
Diane laughed.
“Women have been having babies forever.”
I helped Emily onto a chair and noticed her hands trembling.
Then I saw a cracked dinner plate beside the trash can.
“Emily, tell me what happened.”
She looked toward my mother before answering.
That was when I realized my wife was afraid to speak in her own home.
Diane stood abruptly.
“Don’t you dare make me the villain after everything I’ve done for you.”
Emily whispered, “Ryan, please check the bedroom.”
My mother’s expression changed instantly.
“There’s nothing upstairs.”
I turned toward the staircase.
Diane stepped directly in front of me.
“Ryan, leave it alone.”
Behind me, Emily suddenly began crying.
Then she said six words that made my mother go completely silent.
“Your mother locked my phone away.”
I stared at Diane.
May you like
But Emily wasn’t finished.
“She didn’t want me calling you because of what she did Tuesday night.”
