ur fifth anniversary, I was finally surprising her. She' d been on this long-term assignment with her law firm for six month

on the 30th floor, with a view that swallowed the ci

I saw

her back to me. She turned whe

nant. She was big, at least six months alon

felt like a gunshot in the silent room. My heart didn't just drop, it evaporated. One s

athed, her hand fl

Chloe?" My vo

her eyes. "Ethan, pl

cause my legs wouldn't hold me. She sat across f

tarted, her voice trembling. "I

, of me telling her it was okay, that I loved her, not the idea of a

Wh

id, looking down. "A baby would have

ied. For five years, you let me believe we cou

n," she said quickly, as i

tilted.

old you about him. He has a terminal illness, Ethan. A rare type of cancer. He

IVF. I was just the surrogate. I felt sorry for him. It'

cret she kept for half a year, and it was a noble thing. My world h

ded on a chair in the corner. A man' s suit jacket was draped over it. On t

se, Chloe?" I asked, m

s. He stays here sometimes. When he has

In our apartmen

like that!"

p, intrusive chime. Chloe

swer that,"

ueled by a terrible certain

nly money can buy. He smiled, a flash of white teeth, but

he said, his voice smooth an