CHAPTER 3

OLIVIA

I sat in the dark jail cell, thinking about my baby and how he was going to survive in a place like this. I didn’t care about myself—they could keep me there for as long as they wanted—but my baby didn’t deserve this. He didn’t deserve to be born in a jail or suffer for my sins.

It was only the second day of my incarceration, and the police were keeping their word to Nick about not letting me out. But I thought they were taking it too far; they hadn’t given me food since I arrived.

It was good that nothing stayed in my stomach anymore. I’d been starting to have morning sickness. But I still felt hungry, even though I knew whatever I ate would come back up again.

“Oh, my baby,” I said, caressing my stomach, “I’m so sorry you’re going through this, that you’re going to start your life into this world like this. But I swear to you, I will protect you. Your father will never know you exist, and he’ll never hurt you or me ever again. He’s done enough.”

The cell door opened. I stood as Nick’s best friend, Ethan, came into view.

“Oh, Olivia. I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I just found out what happened, and I gave Nick a piece of my mind. But he won’t budge. He won’t even show me the proof he claims to have against you. He refuses to drop the charges and get you out.”

I smiled sadly. “It’s all right, Ethan. I’m just glad you’re here. I need your help.”

He sighed, pity in his eyes.

“Don’t pity me,” I said. “I’ll be fine. I just need your help me with something, but don’t tell Nick.”

He frowned. “Olivia, he only let me to see you today. After this, he won’t let me come back.”

“Then let’s make it count,” I said with a nod. “I’m pregnant. It’s still early, but I’m afraid I’ll lose my baby in here. Please, help me.”

His eyes widened in shock. “Olivia... Nick doesn’t know, does he?”

I shook my head.

“That moron. How could I be friends with someone so stupid? That woman you call your friend has him eating out of the palm of her hand, and he just can’t see it!” He started pacing, but we didn’t have time for his anger.

“Ethan, please. Forget about Nick. Karma will deal with them both. I have to worry about my baby.”

He stopped and peered at me, concern in his eyes. “All right. I’ll see what I can do. I’ll try to get you some prenatal vitamins to keep the baby healthy and then see about bribing a guard to get you that medicine and tell me when you go into labor.”

Relief flooded me. “Thank you, Ethan. Please, check on my grandmother from time to time. Let her know I’m okay, and tell her not to stress or worry about me.”

He gave me that pitying look again.

“Stop looking at me like that. I’ll be fine. Just help me with this, and everything will be all right.”

“I don’t know how you do it, Olivia. I don’t know how you can be so positive when you are in a situation like this.”

I had no choice. I couldn’t afford to fall apart—I had a baby and my grandmother to think about.

“Time’s up, Mr. Lewis,” an officer informed Ethan. “You only get ten minutes, and not a minute more.”

“I’ll do as I promised,” Ethan said. “I’ll do everything I can to be able to see you again. Stay strong, Olivia.”

I smiled faintly and nodded. After he left, I felt a small surge of hope that my baby was going to be all right. Ethan was a man of his word. He would find a way to help me.

I lay down on the thin mattress in the corner, curled into the fetal position, and thought about everything that had happened in such a short period of time—how my best friend had betrayed me, and how I had let my marriage fall apart completely, all without even knowing it. I fell asleep with those thoughts in my head.

The clanging of the cell door woke me up. “Here. This is for you.” The officer glanced around before tossing a small plastic bag into my cell. “From Mr. Lewis. I won’t always be around, but when I am, I’ll take care of you.” He closed the door and left.

I rushed to the plastic bag and found both food and vitamins inside. Tears welled in my eyes, grateful to Ethan for what he’d done. I quickly ate the food, took the vitamins, and drank water from the tap.

Lying back down, I caressed my belly. “Everything’s going to be okay, baby. I promise.”