“ What was that?” Tessa yelled with a lowered tone, wrist still in his grip. “ Your family needs you now, don't just walk away.”

“ You're in pain.” He opened the car door, pushed her gently inside, and closed the door.

She inhaled sharply, waited for him to get in, annoyed at him, at her body, at the situation.

“ There's a murder. And this.” She pointed at her stomach. “ It's nothing serious.”

“ That doesn't mean it's nothing.” The response came too quickly, too naturally, and that… that caught her off guard.

She looked at him properly now.

He ignited the car and drove out, something close...