“Elena’s family was deep in debt,” Sarah explained, stepping alongside Elena’s wheelchair like they were business partners. “I offered her a choice. I could expose the affair, sue her for alienation of affection, ruin her career, and leave her broke with a bastard child… or, I could pay off her family’s debt, cover all her medical bills, and give her a million dollars in cash.”
“In exchange for what?” I choked out, though I already knew the horrific answer.
“In exchange for the baby,” Elena whispered, refusing to look me in the eye. “The second this child is born, I sign away my parental rights. Sarah’s name goes on the birth certificate. Not mine.”
“And what about me?” I stammered, backing away. “Where do I go in this?”
Sarah stepped forward, her smile returning, sharper than a scalpel.
“You? You’re going to stay married to me, David. You’re going to help me raise this child. Because if you ever try to leave, or if you ever tell a soul about this night, I will release the financial records proving you embezzled money from your company to fund Elena’s apartment.”
She reached into her purse and pulled out a manila envelope, tossing it onto my chest. I caught it reflexively. Inside were bank statements, wire transfers, and signatures I thought I had hidden perfectly.
“I own the baby, I own the money, and I own you,” Sarah whispered in my ear, her breath hot against my neck. “Now, be a good husband. Go sit in the waiting room. Our daughter is about to be born.”
