My stomach twisted. “So this is my fault,” I whispered. “I get sick, and you climb into my marriage.”
She shrugged, eyes cold now. “I was there for him. I listened. I supported him. Someone had to.”
I laughed bitterly. “You mean you waited until I was weak.”
Gusion stepped between us. “Enough,” he said. “This conversation is going nowhere.”
“Nowhere?” I looked at him, really looked at him. “You lied to me. You humiliated me. You erased me. And you’re annoyed because I reacted?”
Hanabi lifted her hand then, the diamond catching the sun. “You should stop pretending this was ever going to last. He chose me.”
Before I could speak, my mother smiled.
“Miya,” she said gently, “Hanabi is pregnant.”
The world tilted.
“What?” My voice barely came out.
Hanabi placed a hand on her stomach, proud. Smiling. “Yes. It’s Gusion’s. I’m carrying his baby.”
I couldn’t breathe.
My husband.
Her child.
While I was alone in hospitals. While I was told I was dramatic. While I was slowly dying and no one cared.
My mother nodded, pleased. “This is what Gusion needs. A fresh start. A proper family.”
Then I felt a small tug on my sleeve.
I looked down.
Nana.