"Beverly, who were you calling? Being all secretive on me."
I held the screen up so he could see the string of foreign digits.
"Some random number. They said for a fee, they could pray for the baby's safety and bless a smooth delivery."
The suspicion in Darrell's eyes dissolved.
He gave me the same tender smile he always wore.
"Beverly."
He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"You're too anxious."
"Relax. We've been so careful this time. I'll handle your surgery personally, just like always. Our baby is going to be born safe and sound."
Darrell's warm breath drifted across my neck.
That scent, the one that used to make me feel so safe, now turned my stomach.
I pulled free of his arms and locked my eyes onto his dark pupils.
"Will our baby really be born safely this time?"
His voice softened even further.
"Of course."
I studied the man in front of me, his eyes full of unwavering conviction.
A cold sweat crept down my spine.
If I hadn't heard those words with my own ears just moments ago, I would have fallen for that counterfeit tenderness all over again without a second thought.