The Broken Candle

Of course, I was one step ahead. I was already on the floor when Rowena made her move, and I called for the doctor and nurse.

Bennett rushed out at the commotion to find me cradling my belly, wailing.

"Sean sent me the fruit. He said you loved cherries! You can't just push me because you don't want them!"

Bennett was the epitome of an old-school guy, tough on the outside and even tougher on the rules he set for his wife, Rowena. He was hardly ever home, but he expected her to be the picture of virtue–no other men allowed.

When I mentioned Sean knew Rowena's fondness for cherries, Bennett snapped back, "And how would Sean know that, huh?"

I played it cool, all wide-eyed innocence. "Well, with you gone, Rowena leans on Sean for help. They're close, grab meals together, and hang out. They're bound to pick up on what the other likes. Is that so weird?"

Bennett's glare could have cut through steel. Rowena, in a total flap, tried to shut me up. "Cut it out, May! You're the one who's always called for help, not Sean! I've never been alone with him! And the cherries? You're the cherry fan. Sean just shared some with me, that's all!"

Rowena had spun this yarn before, and Bennett had bought it hook, line, and sinker. Back then, I was naive, felt bad for her, and even defended her, saying Bennett was too touchy, too mistrustful.

Not this time. I was not about to play the fool again.

"Out with it, May. Is Rowena always cozying up to your man?" Bennett was fuming, fists balled up like he was ready to throw down.

I feigned confusion. "Maybe I got it twisted... Sean was out late, and with the baby coming, I hit the hay early. Could've heard wrong, seen wrong, you know?"

However, my words did nothing to calm Bennett. If anything, they cranked up his suspicions that Rowena and Sean were sneaking around. "Rowena! You better come clean with me, or else!"

Bennett's words sent a wave of fear through Rowena, draining the color from her face.

Her eyes, brimming with bitterness, locked onto mine. "You knew how much this mattered to Bennett, May, and you still threw these filthy lies at me! You witch!"

I put on my best innocent face. "But honestly, I have no clue what's happening between you and Sean."

Rowena, seething with rage, stormed toward me. "You've shamed me to the point where I'd rather be dead! If you're so sure that Sean and I are up to no good, then let him face the music!"

Sean would not just deny any affair with Rowena. He would go out of his way to protect her, leaving me to sink further into trouble.

However, I had already locked the door. Sean was trapped, no matter how much he wanted to get out.

That was when Bennett, red with anger, started hammering on the hospital door. "Sean, come out this instant! Your wife is making up stories, dragging my wife through the mud. You owe me an explanation!"

I never thought the door would be so weak. Bennett's pounding was too much for it, and it burst open!

Sean burst out, yanked me up from the floor, and gripped my arm like he thought I might bolt.

"Honey, what are you doing? It's time for your C-section!"

An icy dread washed over me from head to toe.

However, I was not about to give up. With everyone watching, I doubted they would push me to the brink of disaster.

Especially Bennett. He was questioning Rowena and Sean's relationship, and he would not dare come after me. This was not going to go down like it did in my previous life.

To my shock, Rowena started wailing to anyone who would listen, completely losing it.

"My husband was away, and of course, that's when everything decided to break: the light bulb, the washing machine. I was clueless about fixing them, so I had no choice but to call Sean for help. But May got the wrong idea, thinking I was after Sean. She even trashed my place a few times in a fit of rage!

"May's just green with envy. Oh, and she once said her brother was getting married and needed a house. She even asked me to sell mine to her at a low price. I refused, and she's held a grudge ever since."

Rowena had her story straight, but she was playing a single tune: jealousy.

"She's envious, Bennett, and she just shoved me. Are you really going to stand there and let your wife be treated like this?"

Bennett lost it when he heard that, stormed over, and was about to shove me too!

I tried to sidestep, but Sean yanked me right into the line of fire.

"Honey, you shouldn't have badmouthed Rowena. Say you're sorry, now!"

His tug landed me smack in front of Bennett, who wasted no time and kicked me right in the gut.

I doubled over in agony, barely catching Sean's quiet chuckle.

"My wife's in labor! Ms. Charlton! Get her to the operating room, now!" Sean was barking orders, summoning a nurse.