Chapter 109

Marcus looks at me and stays silent too long before finally saying, softly,

“You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”

My cheeks burn.

“You see more than there is when you look at me, Marcus.”

He takes my hand.

“I see efficiency. I see strength. I see you, Gabriela. Truly. You’re going to do well.”

I shake my head—not to contradict him, though he hasn’t convinced me, but because I’m stunned that he’s the one comforting me this morning.

I squeeze his hand gently.

“You don’t need to worry about me,” I say. “I’m fine. Really.”

I think he’s about to answer, but my phone rings. A voicemail notification. When I read the name, I curse. My father.

Marcus shoots me a look.

“Are you going to listen to it?”

“No. Whatever he says, I don’t need to hear it.”

But before I finish the sentence, I’ve already pressed play on speaker. I don’t know why—maybe because I think nothing my father says could be worse than what Marcus