. CHAPTER 2 — America’s Favorite Husband
Evan recovered faster than a camera flash.
The smile returned, smoother than before, wider at the edges. He crossed the room with open arms as if he had entered a stage instead of an exam room. His coat hung perfectly from his shoulders, his hair looked touched by a stylist, and even the nurse near the counter seemed to hesitate, as though the room had suddenly filled with celebrity light.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Evan said, bending to kiss Mara’s forehead.
Mara flinched.
It was small. Almost invisible. But Eleanor had spent her life reading fear in courtrooms, and she saw it as clearly as a scream.
Evan’s jaw tightened, then loosened. “Cold hands?” he joked, glancing at Eleanor. “Pregnancy makes everything dramatic.”
Eleanor did not laugh.
Mara tried to sit up straighter. “He’s just tired, Mom.”
“Tired men don’t leave fingerprints,” Eleanor said.
The room chilled.
The nurse looked down. The ultrasound technician froze with one hand on the machine.
Evan’s smile remained, but his eyes hardened. “I’m not sure I like what you’re suggesting.”
“I’m not suggesting anything,” Eleanor replied. “I’m asking why my daughter is hiding bruises in a maternity clinic.”
Mara’s lips trembled. “Please don’t.”
Evan placed a hand on her shoulder. Not gently. Not enough to hurt in front of witnesses, but enough to remind her. Mara’s breath caught.
Eleanor stepped forward so fast Evan’s fingers lifted away.
“Do not touch her like that.”
A faint laugh escaped him. “Eleanor, with respect, you’ve never liked me. You think nobody is good enough for your daughter.”
“No,” Eleanor said. “I thought you were too polished to be honest. Now I think I was generous.”
Evan’s face went still.
From the hallway came a murmur: nurses whispering, someone recognizing him, a phone camera being raised before another staff member pushed it down. Evan noticed. His public mask shifted back into place.
He moved to Mara’s side and faced the ultrasound screen.
“Let’s focus on what matters,” he said. “Our baby.”
Mara turned her face away, tears clinging to her lashes.
Eleanor looked at the monitor, at the tiny flicker of life, then back at Evan.
May you like
For the first time in years, the old judge inside her woke fully.
And she did not intend to adjourn.
