Vitiel

twenty-thi

smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He acted as if the last week hadn't h

hday, my lo

anged a private fireworks display ove

exploded in the sky-red, gold, purple-reflecting in the dark water bel

is pho

t, and his f

s pocket. But the mood was shattered. The smoke from the fireworks linge

, lacking its usual charm. "Let's go to the s

winding road surrounded by dense, encroachin

ing and putting it on speaker by accide

ast enough. I h

te! The baby! I th

skidded to a violent halt on the grav

re was panic in his

to go,"

cold pit in my stomach told

stammered. "He's been sh

. In the middle of nowhere. I had heard

ut," h

le to process the cru

he city, it will take too long. The estate is just

ss me and shove

was choosing her crisis,

I didn't ha

peeled away. The tires kicked up a sp

llights of his car disappeared around

buzzed in

message

he baby. Happy bi

ezing. I hugged my arms around myself, tryi

g again. It

o call. The I

nsw

erior upholstered in dark leather. He looked at me, and

e demanded. His vo

I said. My voice didn't

hy

me. He had a

nd me. He saw the way I was holding myself, the way the birthday

inutes away

taly," I sai

Start walking. Keep the phone on. If any

ted wa

phone was the only thing that kept me

me it would be okay. He just stayed on the line,

" he said

s, blinding me for a moment. A mas

looked like war wrapp

didn't ask if I was okay. He touched my cheek with his th

omorrow,"

in my chest had crystallized

s too easy. I wan

terrifying expressio

wish, my