My voice shook as I said it, and no amount of willpower could push down the bitterness rising in my chest.
Silence on the other end. Then a quiet laugh. "Well. I never thought the devoted Mrs. Delgado would say those words to another man."
"There's one week left in the divorce cooling-off period. Don't worry. I don't love him anymore."
I hung up and stared at the two torn halves of my marriage certificate in my hands. My heart felt like it was being carved apart piece by piece. The shredded red booklet slipped from my fingers and fluttered to the floor.
Three weeks ago, I'd finally conceived Bertram's third child.
Zara Delgado came to me directly and told me to leave.
"Bertram's status is special. You're not worthy of him. There's enough money on this card to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life. Have the baby and get out. You've already killed two of them. Don't kill a third."
I looked at the bank card she'd tossed at me, and the memory of my first two babies, born without ever drawing a single breath, cut through me like a blade.
Ten years ago, Bertram Delgado, a man notorious for his indifference to women, fell for me at first sight.