Page 29 of Rescued By Midnight

“It’s just the beginning. You have to give him time to work.”

“No. I found someone else.” Did I just tell my husband ‘no?’

“And how are you going to pay for this?”

“We have money, Brayden. There’s everything my parents left me, too.”

He sputters. “You want to let some therapist siphon it away? When Elder Wattle, in all his experience and levels and wisdom, could offer the same services, free of charge? What about all that we’re working towards?”

Guilt spears me. We were doing so well, Before, saving our money to start a family. He’s making a good point, but, “I thought you’d want me to feel better, to get the help I need.”

“Obviously I do, which is why you need to come back to the church and our Community. Stop living a worldly life, Alice. You belong with us. Your levels will slip if you insist on ignoring our teachings! And then how will we be approved for starting a family?”

A sudden, horrifying thought overtakes my brain. “Did you and Jericha get approval for her pregnancy?”

He’s silent for so long, I think he’s hung up on me.

It’s all the answer I need.

They were trying for a baby. Her pregnancy was no accident.

I slide my thumb over the screen, ending the call, and then I turn off my phone.

I bury my face in my pillow and let myself cry.

CODY - NOW

Her pain is my pain. Does she know that? I can’t tell her, and I never will.

Listening to her cry on the other side of the wall is pure torture. She’s trying to be quiet about it. Her sobs are muffled like she’s under the blankets. Is her body curled up, folding in on itself while she tries to fight the pain?

I stride to my bedroom door and start to open it, intending to go to her.

No. It isn’t my place.

I return to my bed and sit on the edge, grabbing my phone to check the news. I unseeingly skim the headlines. Bad news, bad news, more bad news.

Meanwhile, Alice is still crying. Where the fuck is Landon? Why doesn’t he comfort her?

I send him a text. Where are you?

He responds immediately. In line at V’s. Do you want a bagel?

Fuck. I text back a quick no thanks and stand to stare at the wall dividing my room from Alice’s.

Her sobs have faded, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t crying.

My sister would flay me if she knew I was listening to a woman cry without comforting her. Shit. I know the right thing to do here. It’s the only thing that will make me feel better, too.

Resolved, I open my door, take two steps down the hall, and knock on Alice’s. “Hey, it’s Cody. Can I come in?”

“Um, now’s not a good time.” Her voice is high and tense. She’s trying to hide the fact she’s upset.

“I really need to,” I say. “Please?”

No response.

I deepen my voice without thinking, the Dom coming out. “Let me in, baby.”