A Quiet Disturbance [POV: Abigail]
I should feel happy. Content, even. I have everything I thought I wanted—a husband, a baby on the way, a fresh start. And yet, as I watch Nate and Hannah from the hospital corridor, something in me tightens.
They’re walking together, talking in low voices, their steps naturally falling in sync. It’s subtle, the way he leans in slightly when she speaks, the way her eyes flick up to his like she’s trying to read him. Familiarity. Comfort.
Evie’s voice breaks through my thoughts.
“They’ve gotten close since she was brought in.”
I turn to her, my expression unreadable.
“Hannah was a mess when she first got here,””She was determined to end it all, you know. Nate wouldn’t let her. She tried again, and again, but each time, he pulled her back.”
Of course, he did.
That’s who Nate is. A man who saves people.
“That’s the kind of guy he is,”
I should be happy for them. I should be relieved that Nate has someone now, someone to save. But there’s a part of me—a small, selfish part
My fingers instinctively move to my stomach, resting over the small swell beneath my coat. I remind myself, this is where I belong.
This is the right choice.
For me. For my baby.
I turn and walk away before they can see me.
***
By the time I get home, the house is quiet, except for the low hum of music playing from the dining room. The scent of rosemary and garlic lingers in the air, and when I step inside, Vincent is already at the table, a glass of whiskey in hand.
His suit jacket is draped over the back of his chair, his sleeves rolled up. He looks tired but relaxed, his eyes lifting to me as I walk in.
“You’re quiet,””Everything okay?”
I force a smile, sliding into the seat across from him. “Just a little tired.”
Vincent watches me for a beat longer before pushing his chair back and standing. He comes around the table, resting his hands on my shoulders before leaning down, his lips brushing against my ear.
“Too tired for a sexy time?”
I catch the faint scent of whiskey on him, and a wave of nausea rolls through me. My stomach clenches, and I swallow back the urge to pull away.
“I think the baby doesn’t like whiskey,”
His hands still for just a second. Just a second.
Then, like a switch, the heat between us flickers out.
“Yeah, maybe you should just rest,”
Something in his tone is different now. Distant.
I turn in my chair, reaching for him, my arms slipping around his neck. “No, I’m fine. I want it.”
I need the reassurance. I need to feel close to him.
But before anything can happen, his phone rings.
Vincent sighs, rubbing his temple before pulling it out. He glances at the screen, his brows furrowing slightly before answering.
“Yeah?”
I stay still, watching him as he paces toward the window, speaking in hushed tones. I catch a few clipped words—“evidence,” “confidential,” “opposition.”
Finally, he hangs up and turns back to me, already reaching for his jacket.
“I have to go back to the office.”
I blink. “Why? It’s late.”
He shrugs into his coat, running a hand through his hair. “Big client needs a late-night meeting. A new piece of evidence came up, something that could change the whole case. I need to get ahead of it before the other side catches on.”
I study him carefully, searching his face for any sign of… something. Anything.
But he looks the same. Sounds the same.
I exhale, nodding. “Okay.”
Vincent walks over, cups my face gently, and presses a slow kiss to my lips.
“I love you, baby,””I’ll be back before you know it.”
His lips linger on mine for a second longer before he pulls away, grabbing his keys and heading for the door.
