The Price of a Sunrise

""A rough week,"" Claire repeated softly, taking a slow step toward him. ""While she was eating mango cake and watching the sunrise at Red Rock, do you know where I was, Vincent?""

Vincent crossed his arms over his chest, his expression hardening. ""Here, probably sulking because I didn't answer your call. Look, Claire, I'm not doing this right now. I've been awake for twenty-four hours.""

""I was at Dr. Mercer's clinic,"" Claire said, her voice cutting through the bedroom air like a scalpel.

Vincent blinked, irritation flickering across his features. ""What did you need a doctor for? Are you sick?""

""I was losing our baby,"" Claire said, the words dropping into the space between them with absolute, devastating finality.

The color drained instantly from Vincent’s face.

The smug, defensive posture collapsed, his arms dropping to his sides as he stared at her, his mouth parting slightly in sheer, unadulterated shock. 🌿

""What... what did you just say?"" Vincent stammered, taking an involuntary half-step backward.

""I called you last night to tell you I was pregnant,"" Claire said, her eyes locked onto his, unblinking and devoid of tears. ""I begged you to come home. I told you it was important. And you told me that Isabella wanted mango cake, and that my news could wait until morning.""