The rental car was already paid for.
Madison had been eight and a half months pregnant then, staring at him across the table while he said the due date was just an estimate.
That was Ethan’s gift.
He could wrap cruelty in practical words and convince himself it had become logic.
Outside, his mother’s SUV honked.
Madison looked toward the window and saw Lorraine behind the wheel, chin high, perfect blonde bob tucked behind one ear.
Ethan’s father sat in the passenger seat, scrolling through his phone.
Neither of them came inside.
Neither of them asked if she was all right.
“I could go into labor today,” Madison said.
Ethan looked at his watch.
“Then call an Uber.”
The baby shifted hard under her ribs.
