PART 1
I was three minutes late for the train to Boston.
Three minutes.
That was all.
But those three minutes changed my entire life.
My name is Claire Bennett.
I was thirty-four years old.
I was twelve weeks pregnant.
I was also eight weeks away from marrying Ethan Cole.
We had been together for five years.
Engaged for ten months.
The baby had not been planned.
But once we knew, Ethan had seemed happy.
At least at first.
That morning, my nausea was worse than usual.
I barely managed half a piece of toast.
Even the smell of coffee made my stomach twist.
Ethan knew that.
He had watched me sit on the kitchen floor the week before because I could not make it upstairs without getting dizzy.
That was why I had booked a specific seat on the train.
Window.
Near the restroom.
Quiet car.
Enough space to lean against the wall if I needed to close my eyes.
Ethan knew all of that.
When traffic slowed us down near the station, he grabbed my suitcase.
“I’ll get us boarded.”
“I need the restroom first.”
“Go.”
“I’ll save your seat.”
Those were his exact words.
I believed him.
Three minutes later, I boarded.
The train was crowded.
People were lifting bags into overhead racks.
Children were crying.
Coffee cups rattled.
I dragged my small suitcase behind me and tried not to breathe too deeply.
Then I reached our row.
And stopped.
Maya Reed was sitting in my seat.
Twenty-three years old.
New intern.
Two months with our company.
She was curled against the window.
Ethan’s charcoal blazer was draped over her shoulders.
Ethan stood beside her.
