My husband had a vasectomy, yet two months later, I got pregnant. He called me a traitor, left me for another woman… but he had no idea that the biggest shock was waiting for him in the ultrasound room.

Dr. Salinas sat beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“You are safe here,” she said.

Safe.

I had not realized how long it had been since I felt that word.

I left the clinic with two ultrasound photos in my purse and a new fire in my chest.

Outside, Diego was waiting near the parking lot.

Paula stood several feet away from him, arms crossed, face hard.

They were arguing.

I could hear Paula’s voice.

“You told me she cheated.”

Diego answered sharply, “I thought she did.”

“You thought? You destroyed your marriage over something you thought?”

He saw me and stopped talking.

I walked past both of them.

Diego stepped toward me.

“Laura.”

I did not stop.

He followed.

“Laura, wait. Please.”

Please.

He had found that word quickly.

Too quickly.

I turned around.