The wheels then began to turn. Eden clamped feverishly in her fingers to the back of the chair, as if a chasm opened under his feet, but she did not protest and was not overwhelmed by tears.

Somehow, she had expected this answer, and hearing him say it freed her from a weight.

She felt stronger. A great calm took hold of her. She strove to muster all her courage and pride.

Crying would be for later, when she would be alone.

She was  used to it, since she knew he was pregnant.

The emergency was the baby. What would become of her?

"You are responsible for this child," she...