Chapter 1 - The Shattered Plate
Evelyn slid the heavy diamond ring off her trembling finger.
She placed it quietly next to Nathan's untouched plate of Thanksgiving turkey.
The metallic clink echoed like a gunshot in the perfectly silent dining room.
Nathan stared at the sparkling jewelry in absolute confusion.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Evelyn held up her hand to stop him.
"I am thankful you chose her," Evelyn repeated with chilling calmness.
"Because now I finally have the courage to choose myself and my baby."
Evelyn turned her back on her shocked husband and walked toward the hallway.
Brooke tried to offer a pathetic, fake apology from across the table.
Eleanor slammed her wine glass down so hard the expensive crystal shattered.
"Do not speak to my daughter-in-law," Eleanor hissed venomously at Brooke.
Evelyn grabbed her wool coat from the closet, ignoring the sudden tightness in her lower back.
She just needed to get to her car and drive away from this absolute nightmare.
Suddenly, a blinding wave of pure agony ripped through her abdomen.
Evelyn gasped out loud, dropping her car keys onto the hardwood floor.
She gripped the edge of the antique console table as warm fluid rushed down her legs.
Nathan jumped out of his chair, panic finally replacing his arrogant expression.
"Evelyn, what is happening?" Nathan yelled, rushing desperately toward her.
Eleanor physically shoved her own son backward into the wall.
"Do not touch her," Eleanor commanded with terrifying authority.
Rachel was already frantically dialing for an emergency ambulance on her cell phone.
The world began to spin rapidly around Evelyn as the immense pain intensified.
She collapsed onto the floor, clutching her swollen belly protectively.
Thirty weeks was dangerously early for this fragile baby to be born.
Nathan desperately tried to push past his angry mother to reach his wife.
"Let me through right now, that is my child," Nathan screamed defensively.
Evelyn looked up through her tears and saw Brooke standing quietly in the doorway.
Brooke was not looking at Nathan with love or concern.
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Brooke was staring directly at Evelyn's stomach with a cold, triumphant smile.
Evelyn realized with horrifying clarity that this early labor was not a tragic accident.
