What Blooms From Burned Love

Five years ago, Suri ruptured her uterus pushing Bruce out of the path of a car. The injury left her unable to have kids. But Bruce didn't care—he still pushed for the wedding. After they got married, he poured nearly everything into her. Or so she thought. Then came the scandal. One of his business rivals leaked it, and just like that, the truth exploded online—Bruce had another woman. She was already over three months pregnant. That night, he dropped to his knees. "Suri, please. I'll fix it. I won't let her keep the baby..." And Suri? She forgave him. But on their fifth anniversary, she rushed to the hotel Bruce had reserved—only to find something else entirely. In the next room, Bruce sat beaming, surrounded by friends and family, celebrating that mistress's birthday. The smile on his face—pure joy. A smile she'd never once seen from him. That was the moment she knew. It was over. Time to go. Chapter 1 Five years back, Suri Somerset wrecked her uterus pushing Bruce Jerkinson out of a car's path—doctors said kids were off the table after that. Bruce didn't blink. He married her anyway. Right after the wedding, he went all in. She mentioned liking roses once—dude planted an entire field for her, by hand. At auctions? If she looked twice at something, his paddle was up. Every anniversary, he'd dive into the ocean, grab a shell, and carve their names into it. Now it was year five. Four shells already lined her nightstand. Suri only found out about the other woman—and the fact she was over three months pregnant—when one of Bruce's rivals blasted the scandal online. That night, Bruce dropped to his knees, slapped himself like a maniac, and sobbed, saying he'd been drunk and thought the woman was her. "Suri, please. I'll fix it. I won't let her keep the baby..." She swallowed the heartbreak and forgave him. On their fifth anniversary, Bruce told Suri he had something to take care of and to head to the hotel first. She rushed to Hotel Vantelle in Riverbourne—only to catch a gut-punch of a scene. In the next room, lit with candles like some twisted romance flick, Bruce, his parents—Harrison and Yolanda—and a very pregnant girl were all grinning, singing "Happy Birthday." "Julie, happy birthday," Bruce said, hugging her and kissing her forehead. "I know today's been rough, but once the baby's here, I'll bring you home." Julie smiled like butter wouldn't melt. "It's okay. Your wife's been through a lot—you don't wanna upset her." "Bruce, it's time. Suri's probably already here. Shouldn't we head over?" "Yeah. If she finds us now, it's game over. Baby's eight months along—we've come too far." Suri froze, heart racing. Her face went pale. Even Bruce's friends were there, laughing like it was some kind of celebration. "Relax," Harrison said. "It's not like she can have kids. Now that we finally got a grandson coming, if she acts up, I won't let it slide." Yolanda stroked Julie's belly, all soft-voiced. "Julie's in her last trimester. Could pop anytime. Bruce, you need to get her home. Just say she's your cousin. No one saw her face in that post. Suri won't know." Bruce nodded. "Got it. Once the baby's born, there's nothing she can do." That look in his eyes? Ice cold. Suri's stomach flipped. Five years. Five whole years of lies. How had she ever believed him? Harrison, Yolanda, his friends—they all knew. They all played along. "Oh, and don't forget this," Julie said, handing him a seashell. "Fifth anniversary. Keep pretending. It's fake, but make it look good." Bruce took the shell and laced his fingers with Julie's. "You always cover my back. I almost forgot." Julie lit up. "Baby's not here yet. You still gotta play the perfect husband." His friends cracked up. "Bet Suri still thinks you swam out for those shells every year. Only the first one was real, right?" "Five bucks for a fake shell instead of a gift? Bruce, you're a legend." Suri's shoulders shook. Her heart crumpled. Even the seashells were fake. So what had ever been real? Her mind blanked. Her knees gave out. She almost hit the floor. Chapter 2 Suri didn't even remember leaving the hotel. In the car, the driver asked, "Mrs. Jerkinson, heading home?" "Home?" She glanced at her ring. That place wasn't home anymore. "Take me to Specter Law Associates." It was late when she got back. The second she stepped inside, the sight hit her like a slap. Bruce had brought Julie home. He was bent over her belly, grinning. "Julie, the baby just kicked me." "Really? That means the baby loves Daddy and can't wait to meet you." They looked like husband and wife already. Suri froze in the doorway, chest so tight she could barely breathe. "Mrs. Jerkinson, you're back?" one of the maids called out. Bruce shot up, quickly stepping away from Julie. "Suri! Where've you been? It's our fifth anniversary—why didn't you go to the hotel?" The panic on his face said it all. He had no clue she'd already been there. No idea she knew everything. "Suri, let me introduce you. This is my cousin, Julie. Her husband passed recently—left her and the baby. My parents asked me to take care of her, so... I brought her here." Julie smiled sweetly, like butter wouldn't melt. "Hi, Suri. I'm Julie—Bruce's cousin." Suri just stared, numb. Julie was pretty. Early twenties. Kinda looked like her, but younger. Fresher. Suri clutched the divorce papers, chest aching too hard to speak. She hadn't thought he'd actually bring Julie home. His excuse? A joke—but he said it like it was nothing. "What's that? A follow-up from the fertility clinic?" Bruce reached for the papers. Julie suddenly gasped, "Ah! Bruce, the baby kicked again! Maybe it's hungry?" He dropped the act instantly. "Really?" He turned to help her toward the dining room. "I had the maid make your favorite panna cotta..." Julie leaned into him. "But now I really want licorice root tea." "You're pregnant. Don't drink too much tea—it's bad for the baby." "It's not me—it's the baby!" "I'll grab it now!" Bruce darted for the door, then glanced back at Suri. "Suri, want some too?" She blinked, lips trembling. "I... I'm allergic to licorice." Bruce froze, then finally said, "Sorry, Suri. I forgot. I'll be right back. Oh—and here, your anniversary shell. I was late 'cause I had to dive for this one. Total struggle!" He shoved the shell into her hand. It looked cheap. Obvious fake. How had she never noticed? "Hey, Bruce," she said with a smile. "Your cousin's eight months pregnant, right? Crazy... If that girl you slept with hadn't lost the baby, she'd be eight months too. What're the odds?" Bruce went pale. He grabbed her hand, panicked. "Suri, come on. She's my cousin, seriously. We've always been close. Don't overthink. I'm just getting her tea—I'll be right back." The door clicked shut behind him. Suri let out a bitter smile. Once someone starts lying, it takes a thousand more to keep it going. She wasn't sticking around for that. She had to go. Chapter 3 Bruce had barely left when Julie jumped in. "Suri, don't get the wrong idea. Bruce only let me stay 'cause he's worried about the baby. I swear, I'll stay out of your way." Tears rolled down her cheeks, but Suri's voice stayed steady. "I know the baby's his. And I know who you are—the girl from that scandal five months ago, right?" Julie froze. Her smile twitched, then vanished. Suri caught the shift instantly. "You knew?" Julie asked. Suri let out a cold laugh. That fake sweetness? Gone. "So since we're being honest..." Julie's voice dropped into a sneer. "You can't have kids. You're aging out. Men are all the same—you'll get used to it. Oh, and guess what? Bruce says he loves how I am in bed. Says you're like a corpse. Total buzzkill." Suri's chest tightened. She could still hear Bruce's vow in her head. 'I swear to love only Suri in this lifetime. Whether she can have children or not, she's the only one I'll ever love. I will never let her down.' Five years. That promise didn't even make it past five years. "Fine. If that's how it is, I'll make it easy." Suri held up the divorce papers. "Here—" Before Suri could hand them over, Julie dropped to her knees, clinging to Suri's legs. "Please, Suri! Don't kick me out. I'll leave after the baby's born, I swear!" Tears streamed down Julie's face. Suri froze, unsure what to say—then Bruce walked in. He saw Julie on the floor and his face twisted. He rushed over, yanking her up. "What are you doing down there?" Before Suri could answer, he snapped at her, eyes blazing. "If you didn't want her here, you could've told me! Why pull this behind my back? She's eight months pregnant—how could you make her kneel?" His words hit like a slap. No chance to explain. Watching him shield Julie, Suri's throat clenched. Like she was choking on her own silence. "No, Bruce, you got it wrong," Julie said softly. "Suri didn't do anything—I just lost my balance." But he wasn't listening. "Lost your balance? Then why are your eyes red? Why are you crying?" He pulled her into his arms, glaring at Suri, his voice shaking. "Suri, believe it or not, she is my cousin. And I don't care if you accept it—she's staying. She's eight months pregnant and drained. You've never been a mother, so you wouldn't get it. Try being more considerate." Never been a mother. Of course. The ones closest to you always know exactly where to stab. Suri let out a laugh—but tears spilled down her cheeks anyway. "Bruce, do you even remember who I lost that chance for? Huh?" Her voice cracked. "I'll give you one more shot—who is she? Still sticking with the 'cousin' story?" Only then did something flicker in Bruce's eyes. "Suri, I didn't mean it like that. You're overthinking. She IS my cousin..." Julie jumped in. "Suri, please don't be upset. Let me make you some tea. Don't blame Bruce, okay?" She walked over with a teacup—then tripped. The cup shattered. Tea splashed everywhere. Julie hit the floor and started scooping up the shards, slicing her hand open. Bruce freaked and scooped her up, racing upstairs. "Don't move! Who told you to serve her? You didn't do anything wrong—stop apologizing! Julie, you're pregnant. You can't treat yourself like this!" Julie cried in his arms. "But I'm nobody... I'm not like Suri." "What's that got to do with anything?" Bruce snapped. "You're having a baby. That's what matters." Their voices trailed off upstairs. Suri stood in the shadows. Blood slid down her shin, but she didn't feel it. A shard from the broken cup had sliced her leg deep. But Bruce hadn't even looked her way. It was always Julie. Only Julie. Her mind flashed back—to the day she saved him, nearly hit by a car. He'd held her hand, crying like a kid. "Suri, if you survive this, I swear I'll never let you get hurt again." Pain pulsed through the cut, sharp and unforgiving. Suri crouched down and cried, silent and alone. Chapter 4 Bruce never came back that night. By morning, sunlight hit Suri's face, and noise echoed from the hallway. She cracked the door. The maid was guiding workers toward the guest room. "Hustle up! Plans are already set. The nursery needs to be done, like, yesterday. Mr. Jerkinson's son's almost here—we can't have paint fumes around the baby!" Suri walked to the upstairs railing. Down below, the maid was hauling in baby stuff—crib, stroller, formula, diapers. The whole room was getting swallowed. Julie frowned. "Bruce, the baby's not even here yet. You bought all this? Isn't Suri gonna feel awful?" Bruce waved it off. "The baby's what matters now. Forget everything else." He tugged her toward the table. "These are from my parents. Go ahead, open 'em." She popped the lid. Diamonds, gold, sparkly stuff piled up like treasure. "Oh my God, this is insane." She snapped the box shut. "I can't take this. Give it to Suri." "She doesn't need it. It's for you. And the baby. Keep it." Bruce slid a ring onto her finger. "I can't give you a wedding. Or the Jerkinson name. Just... don't hate me." "Hate you? I get you and the baby. That's more than enough." They clung to each other like it was the end of the world. Suri dropped her gaze, turned back inside, and grabbed the divorce papers. She flipped to the last page, pen in hand, and headed downstairs. "Bruce, I need your signature." The two of them jumped apart. Bruce scrambled for words. "Suri, Julie wasn't feeling well, so I—" She smiled, cool and easy. "I get it. Pregnancy's tough. You were just being sweet." She held out the pen. "Sign this." "What is it?" He started flipping through. Julie tugged his arm. "Didn't you promise to take me baby shopping?" "Right, let's go." Bruce glanced down, scrawled his name, barely looking. "Suri, if you need something, just buy it. No need for my signature." Suri locked eyes with Julie. Yeah—Julie knew exactly what he'd signed. She'd timed it just right. Suri looked at the fresh signature and let out a quiet smile. That made it easy. She slid off the emerald ring. "Julie, this is yours now." Bruce frowned. "Isn't that the ring my mom gave you? It's a Jerkinson heirloom—our wedding ring. You can't just hand it off." "Your mom said it keeps people safe. Jade wards off bad luck, right? Julie's pregnant. She needs it more." Suri slipped it onto Julie's finger. "Wishing you a safe delivery. And wishing you..." 'A happy little family.' She didn't say it out loud. Bruce looked weirdly touched. "Suri, thank you. After the baby's born, I'll make sure she gives it back." She gave a polite smile. "Let's talk then." "I'm taking Julie shopping for baby stuff. I'll be back for dinner. Oh, and Suri—the doc says she's a little anemic. I remember your creamy chicken soup's a lifesaver. Mind making some?" Tears stung her eyes. "And if I say no?" Bruce paused. "Would it help if I said please?" "If this is the last thing you ever ask of me..." "Doesn't matter. I'm asking. For the baby." Before Suri could respond, he was gone—with Julie. Chapter 5 After they left, Suri drove straight to the law firm. Mr. Specter, her lawyer, greeted her with his usual calm. "Ms. Somerset, I'll file it today. In about a month, you and Mr. Jerkinson can swing by for the divorce decree." For the first time in forever, something in her chest eased. On the way back, she swung by the farmer's market. It was his final ask—she'd give him that. She picked out the best chicken, headed home, and started prepping dinner. She'd cooked more meals than she could count. Bruce was always picky. The only food he actually liked? The stuff she made. When they first got married, she'd loved cooking for him every day. Then one day, he told her to stop—said he didn't want her getting worn out. She never thought the next time he'd ask her to cook, it'd be for someone else. The soup simmered for almost two hours. Suri brought it to the table just as Bruce walked in with Julie. "Smells amazing, Suri. You've worked hard." Julie floated over, and right away, Suri clocked the diamond necklace. Brand new. Limited edition. "Nice necklace," she said, her tone light. Julie pretended to take it off, all theatrical. "Saw it while we were shopping. Bruce bought it for me. You like it, Suri? I'll totally give it to you." Bruce stepped in. "Don't. I bought it for you—it's yours." He turned to Suri. "I got you something too." He handed her a wrapped box—fancy ribbon, clean fold, but at the bottom, small print: 'Free Gift.' Suri felt her heart crack wide open. "Thanks. Let's eat." She forced a smile, took the box, and ladled soup into Julie's bowl. Julie took a sip, then gagged hard. "Ugh, it smells awful!" She covered her mouth. "This is disgusting. If you didn't want to cook, you could've just said so! I'm gonna throw up—ugh—" "Get it out of here, now!" Bruce barked, waving the maid over to take the soup away. As the maid reached for the pot, Bruce waved her off—too fast. The scalding pot tipped, splashing Suri's bare arm. "Ah!" she gasped, flinching from the burn. The maid jumped. "Mrs. Jerkinson, are you okay?" "Suri, what happened?" Bruce turned, looking shaken. But then—Julie grabbed her stomach. "Ah! Bruce, it hurts—my stomach! Am I going into labor?" Bruce snapped. "Suri, look what you've done! If something happens to the baby, I'll never forgive you!" He didn't wait. He scooped Julie up and bolted. "Driver! Start the car—we're going to the hospital!" Suri stood frozen, staring at the burn on her arm. It throbbed like a warning flare, torching whatever hope she had left. "What's wrong with Mr. Jerkinson? You're hurt and he just bailed without even checking on you," the maid muttered, grabbing the first aid kit. "He wasn't always like this. People say men change... guess it's true. "You've done everything for him. Just 'cause you can't have kids—" She cut herself off. Suri stared at the mess on the floor and let out a low, bitter laugh. "This was the last meal I'll ever cook for you, Bruce Jerkinson." Chapter 6 Suri finally crashed at dawn after hours of tossing and turning. Didn't last. Bruce yanked her up, his face tight. "You actually slept?" He dragged her out of bed. Pain flared down her burned arm. She lay on the floor, pale light spilling over her as she looked up at him. "What are you even doing?" "What am I doing? Why'd you put cinnamon in the cream soup? You know it's got cinnamaldehyde—causes uterine contractions! Julie could've miscarried!" "What?" Suri blinked, stunned. "You're saying I did that on purpose? Just to make her lose the baby? Seriously, Bruce? Why would I do that?" "Because you hate how well I treat her! Suri, you were the only woman I ever cared about." He was shaking, furious. "I brought Julie here 'cause she's pregnant and alone. "If you had a problem, you should've just said it! Why go this low? "I'm done with the excuses. Is Julie right? You're bitter 'cause you can't have kids, so you wanted her to lose hers?" Suri stayed on the floor. "You don't believe me." "You messed up and won't even own it," he said, towering over her. "We're going to the hospital. You're apologizing to Julie." "And if I don't?" Her eyes flamed. "You're going. I've spoiled you long enough—look what that's done. Time you owned up to what you did." Bruce hauled her to the hospital. The second they walked in, he dropped her arm and went straight to Julie's side. His tone flipped. "You still hurting?" "It's better now. Bruce, when you left... I was so scared. I thought I might lose the baby—and you weren't here." "Come on, silly girl. I'd never leave. Suri's here to apologize." Suri stepped up, locking eyes with her. "Julie, did you tell Bruce I added cinnamon to the soup?" Julie played innocent, but Suri wasn't buying it. She knew exactly who Julie was. She hadn't added a thing to that soup. Only one way this made sense—Julie did it herself and pinned it on her. Of course. Anyone who snagged Bruce like that was never gonna play clean. "It's okay, Suri," Julie said, all sweet and fake. "I know you didn't mean it. Just... be more careful next time. "Bruce worries about me, that's all. Don't be mad. But maybe you shouldn't cook anymore. We don't want any more... accidents. "I just want the baby to be safe." Bruce's chest tightened. He looked at Suri. Long pause. Then, "Tomorrow, you're moving to the complex next door. I've got a place there. You'll stay until Julie has the baby." Her burn throbbed, sweat clinging to her skin. Suri's lips had gone pale—Bruce didn't even notice. She pressed them together, steady. "Fine. I'll move out. You two could use the space." The flat look in her eyes made him hesitate. "That's not what I meant. It's just two months, Suri. You get that, right?" "I get it." She smiled. She was leaving anyway. "Good. To show Julie you're sorry, get her a gift for tomorrow when she's discharged." Her face went bone white. "Sure. Got it." She already knew what she'd give. Chapter 7 Suri had barely stepped inside when the staff started hauling her stuff to the complex next to theirs. Watching all the things she and Bruce once picked out get boxed up, she expected heartbreak. Didn't happen. She was gonna move out eventually. At least she didn't have to pack. Perks. "Mrs. Jerkinson," one of the staff said, "the new place needs a few more days. Mr. Jerkinson said you can stay here two more nights." "Cool," she said. After that, Suri headed to the rose garden. It was May. Full bloom. She told the gardener to cut every single rose and send them to Julie. "But Mrs. Jerkinson, aren't these your favorites? You usually just take a few. You sure you want them all gone?" "Yeah." She parked herself on a bench and watched them work all day—snipping, clearing, loading up the truck. By sunset, the sky was streaked in pink and purple. Suri grabbed a torch and lit the leftovers on fire. The flames twisted up with the dusk light—gorgeous, in a totally wrecked kind of way. "Oh my God, what are you doing? Mr. Jerkinson planted these himself! Burning them... what a shame!" "He's never planting anything here again. Might as well torch the past while I'm at it." Still watching the fire, Suri pulled out her phone and called her elder brother, Connor, who was doing business overseas. "Connor, where are you right now? I'm thinking of visiting in a few days." "Everything okay? You and Bruce taking a trip or something?" "Just me. Send the address—I'll come soon." There was a pause on the line. "You're going alone? What happened? Fights happen, Suri. Let it go. Didn't Bruce make that woman end the pregnancy?" "She's about to give birth. I already signed the divorce papers. Once the decree comes in, I'm heading your way." Connor didn't hesitate. "That loser. Don't worry, Suri, I've got you. Our company's way bigger than his. Did he really think we can't find someone a million times better?" He paused. "Since he screwed you over, I'm pulling every business deal we had with him. And this time, you're not stopping me." "Go for it," Suri said. "Handle everything." Their parents had been gone a long time, but Connor had built his life up strong overseas. The Somerset network had carried the Jerkinsons more than Bruce ever realized. Now that she was done with him, she didn't want a single thread tying them together—not even in business. After hanging up, Suri headed home. The roses were already at the villa. Julie was in the middle of them, glowing. "Bruce! I love them! Did you send these? I've never gotten this many before!" Bruce stared at the flowers, something about them tugging at him. He asked a servant, who said they were from Suri—a so-called apology gift for Julie. His face tightened. Chest, too. Then he spotted Suri standing outside the yard. Alone. Thin. Empty-eyed. "You're back?" "Yeah. The other place isn't ready yet. I've got two more days." She brushed past him into the house. Bruce grabbed her arm. "Don't be like this. I'm not kicking you out. This is still your home. Once Julie has the baby—" "I know. If that's all, I'm going to my room." He looked like he wanted to follow, but Julie tugged his sleeve. "Bruce, you said you'd stay with me!" Yeah, he didn't come back. Not right away, anyway. After her shower, Suri stepped out to find the door cracked open. Bruce wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I'm sorry. I know I've been distant. But once Julie has the baby, things will change, okay?" Too late. She'd run out of disappointment to feel. She gently pushed him off. "Pretty sure Julie's calling for you. Aren't you gonna check?" "Really? I'll go see. Be right back." Chapter 8 Bruce never came back. Sometime past midnight, a sharp pain tore through Suri's stomach. She snapped on the bedside lamp, tried to move—but her body wouldn't listen. "Bruce!" Her voice cracked. "Bruce, my stomach—! "Someone help! Please! I don't feel right!" She screamed until her throat burned, but the house stayed dead quiet. Hands shaking, she fumbled for her phone and dialed Bruce. A voice answered—but it wasn't his. "Hello? Suri, what is it?" Julie. "Sorry, Bruce spent the whole night reading to me and the baby," Julie said, fake sweet. "He was so wiped, he passed out. If you need something, just tell me." "Tell Bruce my stomach really hurts... ask him to come back..." "Your stomach hurts?" Julie let out a sharp laugh. "Come on, you can't even have kids. What's there to hurt? And even if I wake him, you think he'd actually care?" Before Suri could say anything, Julie shouted, "Bruce, wake up! Suri says her stomach hurts. She wants you to go over." A pause. Then Bruce's groggy voice: "What is it?" "Bruce—" Julie cut in, all pout. "Ugh, I was finally asleep. My stomach wasn't even hurting that bad, but she just HAD to call and wake me. Now it's acting up again." "Your stomach hurts again? Don't worry, I'm staying with you. I'm not going anywhere." Then Bruce snapped into the phone, "Suri, seriously? You can't even get pregnant—what stomach pain? Go to the bathroom or something. Quit calling!" Click. No matter how loud she screamed, no one came. The pain slammed into her harder, draining every bit of color from her face. Sweat drenched her forehead. Her lower belly kept tightening like it was trying to fold her in half. Then—warmth. A sudden rush beneath her. And just like that, panic took over. 'It hurts so bad.' She glanced down—blood soaking the floor beneath her. Her face went paper white. Was she... pregnant? "Help!" Barely hanging on, she dragged herself to the door. "Somebody... please..." Bruce finally stepped out, holding up Julie. "What are you yelling about?" he started—then saw the blood. His face dropped. "Suri? What's going on?" He moved toward her, but Julie gagged dramatically. "Ew, what is that smell? Suri, if you're on your period, use a pad or something. There's blood EVERYWHERE. You seriously smell infected." Suri shook her head, voice barely there. "No... Bruce, my stomach... I think I might be—" Julie cut in, full venom. "Oh, I get it. You're jealous I'm pregnant, so you're pulling this stunt to mess with me. But this? It's just pathetic. Bruce is only gonna hate you more." Bruce froze—then stepped back. He looked down at her like she was something stuck to his shoe. "Are you done? Pregnant women need sleep. Go back to your room. Keep this up and you're moving out tonight." The door slammed. Cold air rushed past her. "Bruce Jerkinson... don't you DARE regret this..." She stared at his heartless back, the world tilting—then everything went black. Chapter 9 When Suri came to, she was in a hospital bed. Alone. Outside, nurses rushed by, chatting. "Did you hear? Bruce Jerkinson's wife is about to give birth." "For real? I thought she couldn't have kids. Wasn't she always doing IVF and stuff?" "No clue, but yeah—she's in labor. Early, too. Bruce is losing it." "He must really love her. Married her even though she couldn't get pregnant, and now look—baby's finally here." Suri shut her eyes, the words slicing through her. Julie's giving birth? Already? Eight months. That was too soon. Her phone buzzed. She answered—and Bruce's voice exploded through the speaker. "Suri, where ARE you? I don't care—get to the hospital, now. "Julie's in early labor because of your drama. If anything happens to that baby, I'll NEVER forgive you! "You've got ten minutes. Come apologize to Julie. If you don't—we're DONE. DIVORCE." Click. The line went dead. She stared at the screen as it faded, too numb to speak. Then a doctor walked in, clipboard in hand. "Mrs. Jerkinson, how are you feeling? If your housekeeper hadn't brought you in... you wouldn't have made it." "Dr. Thompson... what happened to me? Why was I bleeding? Don't tell me I was—" "I'm sorry, Mrs. Jerkinson. We tried everything, but we couldn't save the baby. Your IVF last month actually worked—but you came in too late. If you'd gotten here sooner, maybe..." "What?" Her voice cracked. Pain flooded her eyes. "My baby... is gone?" "Yes. And with how difficult it was for you to conceive... I'm truly sorry. You should call your husband. Recovery's going to take time. He should be here." Her phone buzzed again. Bruce. [Why aren't you here yet?] [Do you really want a divorce before you'll show up?] [I'm so disappointed in you. If something happens to Julie's baby, I never want to see you again.] Suri pressed her cracked lips together, hands shaking as she stared at the messages. Swallowing her grief, she made one call. "Raine... can you come get me from the hospital? I need your help." By the time Raine Dudley, Suri's best friend, arrived to take her away, Bruce was still pacing outside the OR, frantically calling and texting her. She hadn't replied once. Eventually, she just turned off her phone. Furious, he was about to lose it when Dr. Thompson walked by, brow raised. "Mr. Jerkinson? What are you doing here? Mrs. Jerkinson's baby—" The OR doors swung open. Another doctor stepped out, cutting him off. "Mr. Jerkinson." Bruce rushed forward. "How is it? My baby?" "Both mother and child are doing well. You can relax." "Really? Boy or girl?" "A boy. Your family finally has an heir. Mrs. Jerkinson's been moved to recovery. You can see her now." Bruce didn't wait—he spun around and bolted down the hall. Dr. Thompson watched him go, frowning. "Mrs. Jerkinson gave birth to a boy? That can't be... she miscarried. What's going on? Are there two Mrs. Jerkinsons?" Bruce stopped cold. He turned, face tightening. "What miscarriage? Who miscarried?"