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G abby moved the pillow away from her arm and slowly rose from the bed. She peered over at the fresh clothes forlornly. After attempting to remove her clothing, she gave up trying to change. The pants came off easily, but with the protruding belly, a broken arm, and a bruised shoulder, she hurt too much to care.

The urge to use the bathroom grew stronger. Gabby opened the door, cautiously crossing the hall and into the bathroom. She shimmied her pants down and let out a relieved sigh when she didn’t need to ask for help.

She carefully washed her hands and did her best to fix her hair. When she finished, she followed the smell of sausage and pancakes.

“Good morning,” she cheerfully greeted Nugget and Bryanna. “Oh, wow. I didn’t know I stayed with a baker and a chef,” she exclaimed at seeing the little girl beside Bryanna flipping a pancake.

“Morning,” Bryanna greeted.

“Good morning. I’m making pancakes. You can have two because I used all the batter and flipped the last one on the floor. I bet if I got a dog like Rollo, he’d clean up the floor lickety split. Then you won’t have to help me, Mama. I know it’s hard because Melody said her mom got fat when baby Grace was in her belly and then she popped out and her mama’s tummy got flat again.”

Bryanna gave her a stern glance. “The baby grows inside her tummy and her belly has to expand to make room for it. When you call Aunt Catherine fat, it sounds hurtful and unkind. I know it’s not what you mean but people come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s what we see inside that matters the most. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mama. I didn’t mean it. Her belly looked big like Santa’s. We say he’s a jolly, fat man,” Nugget reasoned.

“You’re right,” Bryanna agreed. “It’s not nice of us to say it about Santa when he brings us such lovely gifts. He’s a very kind person.”

“Does it mean Daddy shouldn’t tell Uncle Leo he’s getting fat from eating all those donuts you make?” she asked innocently.

“Yes. I’ll speak to your father today about his bad decisions.”

“Oh, good. You better tell Uncle Shadow, too. He told Uncle Taco to move his fat ass and get out of the way when Daddy took me to PT while you saw the doctor. It hurt Uncle Taco’s feelings and he punched Uncle Shadow in the arm. Aunt Tess pointed her finger at him and said it’s not nice to hit people. I agreed with her. But she didn’t yell at Uncle Shadow. Will you tell him, too?”

Bryanna sighed and shook her head while Gabby chuckled behind her hand. Her former friend apparently had her hands full with this cheeky little girl.

“I’ll ask Aunt Avie to talk to Uncle Shadow. We don’t say the word ass. It’s not a nice word.” She arched a brow at her daughter.

Nugget’s lips pursed together as she worked out the problem. “If it’s not a nice word, then why does Uncle Ryder tell Aunt Claire she has a nice ass and she smiles?”

Bryanna wiped her forehead as Gabby giggled. “I’ll ask Gran Victoria to talk to them. She’ll make them understand it’s not a nice word.”

“Yeah. They’re pretty scared of her. Uncle Shadow walks funny when she comes to visit. But I think he does it to make Gran Victoria happy cause she laughs and laughs.”

“Why don’t you let me finish making up your pancake so you can eat before Uncle Whiskey arrives to pick you up?” Bryanna asked.

“Ok, Mama.” Nugget hopped off her stool and ran to fetch her things.

“She’s a pistol. You’re very good with her,” Gabby complimented her.

“Thanks. She’s a great kid. Sometimes the men forget when they’re around…”

“Can I help with anything?” Gabby asked.

“No. I got it. Do you want milk or orange juice?” she asked as she flipped the pancakes onto a platter and set the sausages on the table.

Gabby’s smile faded as her friend avoided her. “I’ll take milk, please.”

Bryanna poured the drinks as Nugget returned to the table and dug into her pancake and sausage.

“Did you remember your library book?” Bryanna asked Nugget as she passed the milk to Gabby.

“Uh, huh. I’m checking out two new ones today. Mrs. Henderson said I moved up another reading level,” Miya boasted proudly.

“I’m proud of you. You worked hard for it.” Bryanna passed a plate to Gabby.

Gabby’s appetite disappeared as she watched Bryanna ignore her. An unwanted feeling came over her. She wondered if Marcus lied about Bryanna inviting her to stay there. Saint made her feel welcome, while her ‘friend’ made her feel like an intruder.

Trying to act normally, she picked at the food and drank the milk. The longer they sat at the table, the silence reverberated around the room, making her uncomfortable. A car horn beeped twice and Nugget drained the rest of her milk and brought her plate and cup to the sink.

Bryanna leaned down, smiled and kissed her daughter. “Have a great day. Aunt Samantha will pick you up. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” Nugget turned toward Gabby. “Have a great day.”

Gabby smiled and gave a small wave. “You, too.”

Bryanna held the door open for her daughter and watched until she disappeared. Bryanna closed the door and returned to the kitchen.

Gabby gave her a slight smile. “It appears like you’re a bit further along than me. Maybe closer to eight months?”

Bryanna picked up her plate, took it to the sink, and began putting away the breakfast items. “Yes.”

“Did you decide on a theme for the nursery?” Gabby asked, trying to break the tension between them.

“No.”

“Your house feels cozy and I see your touches everywhere. It’s lovely,” she commented.

“Thanks,” Bryanna responded.

Gabby shook her head and rose from the table. She unsteadily picked up her plate and cup to take them to the sink.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it,” Bryanna informed her.

Gabby turned to stare at her. “Bryanna, I know you’ve avoided my calls. I understand you might’ve felt uncomfortable about Marcus’ and my decision, but I didn’t end our friendship. Why did you invite me here if you didn’t want me here,” she exclaimed.

Bryanna appeared surprised by her statement. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at Gabby. “I’m sorry?”

“Why did you invite me here if you’re this angry with me?” Gabby demanded.

Bryanna shook her head. “I didn’t. You know what my father did. How do you think I feel after what you’ve done?”

Gabby shook her head, confused by her statement. “I’m not following you. Marcus made this decision. I imagine you didn’t want to take sides?—”

Bryanna’s mouth flew open and she laughed. “Take sides? I’ll never be on your side. How could you do it after knowing what our father did?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Gabby cried.

“You cheated on my brother. He told me he walked in on you. Don’t deny it,” Bryanna replied vehemently.

Gabby sharply inhaled at Bryanna’s announcement. Tears pricked her eyes. “Marcus told you I slept with another man?” she asked slowly.

“Yes. He said he walked in on you with another man,” Bryanna said angrily.

Gabby nodded. “I understand. I’m not feeling good. I’ll be out of here as soon as I can.”

“You’re hurt. Marcus asked if you might stay here. I don’t understand why you’re even here,” Bryanna accused her.

Gabby winced at the venom coming from her friend. “No. I guess you wouldn’t. Thank you for your honesty.”

She turned and walked up the stairs to her room. Her heart raced as she felt the months of loneliness, not understanding what had happened between Marcus and her, the desperation of how she planned to raise a child by herself, and then the abandonment of her best friend finally broke her.

Taking out her phone, Gabby searched for a car service. Finally, when she found one, she gave them the address of a local drugstore she saw on the way into town. They promised to arrive within the hour and cost her plenty, but she refused to stay any longer. If Bryanna and Marcus’ father stood before her, she’d smash his nose in for abandoning her best friend and husband. If he only knew the damage he’d caused.

Gabby heard Bryanna coming up the stairs. “Listen Gabby...”

Gabby locked the door and covered her ears. She didn’t want to hear anything else from the Hutchins family. They hurt her more than she ever dreamed possible.

She waited until Bryanna finally gave up and heard her go into her room and close the door. Slipping the tennis shoes on, she grabbed her laptop and purse, stuffing her phone inside. Gently unlocking the door, she quietly shut it. Creeping down the stairs, she silently slipped out and made her way through the small town. Her eyes watered as she saw Bryanna’s bakery for the first time. She angrily swiped at the tears and ducked inside the hardware store. She needed to stay out of sight for forty-five minutes. Realizing she forgot her meds, Gabby refused to return. She wanted to disappear and never see them again.

Knight rose early, made breakfast, showered, and dressed in record time. Leaving Gabby last night felt wrong, and he didn’t sleep as he worried about what she got herself into. Determined to get to her, he finished his tasks and jumped in the loaner car. A set of keys jingled in his coat pocket and he realized they were Gabby’s. She must’ve dropped them in the pocket when he wrapped his coat around her.

Something nagged him about where she lived. Instead of turning toward Serenity, he returned to the apartment. Gabby might feel better if she wore some of her own clothing. He pulled his reusable grocery bags from behind his seat to put a few things in. If she needed anything else, he could always return. Walking up to the security gate leading into the building, he almost laughed at the pitiful excuse for safety. With one hard jerk, the rusted bolts promised to fall away. Taking the stairs two at a time, he walked up to the apartment and used the key to let himself in.

Scanning the room, he took everything in and snapped photos. Knight shook his head as he imagined why Gabby chose to live here.

He walked through the stuffing from the destroyed couch. He went to the bed and grunted angrily when he realized it consisted of an air mattress with a sheet over it. Knight picked up the clothes and recognized the designer labels, yet she lived in a dump. He didn’t understand it. Tossing a few outfits in the bag, he located undies, bras and socks. Finding two sets of matching shoes, he placed them inside.

A picture lay on its side facing the wall. He knelt and picked it up, surprised to discover a picture of them. She stood behind him with her arms around his neck. Her head tilted back in a full-blown laugh and he peered at her from over his shoulder with a huge grin. Knight recalled feeling like he was the luckiest man alive. When did it change? He frowned when he realized the feelings had never changed. He did.

After months of searching for an evil monster, he became obsessed with ending the man’s terror on innocent people. People who reminded him of his wife. The woman who pretended another man stayed in the back cooking when he knew damn well she worked in the restaurant alone. As a large man, he could’ve overpowered her in seconds. Her blind trust reminded him of the victims who thought the monsters would never hurt them while their blood spilled onto the streets. Visions of women brutalized beyond recognition and cries of young children filled his head.

Knight walked to the dresser and pulled at one of the drawers. Something sparkled for a second before disappearing in the pile of clothes. He tossed items on the floor as he searched for what caught his eye. A few minutes later, he stopped and picked up her engagement ring and wedding band. She tied them with the ribbon from the single rose he had given her, promising she remained his only love forever. Knight crushed them in his palm and placed them in his pocket.

Deciding to return to Serenity, he left the apartment buildingand scanned the area. Sliding inside the borrowed car, he drove a few blocks to ensure no one followed him. His cell rang and Saint’s name appeared.

“Hello,” he greeted his brother-in-law.

“How long until you arrive?” Saint barked.

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. I stopped by Gabby’s apartment to pick up some stuff for her,” he replied.

“Bryanna and Gabby got into a fight. Kassie arrived to check her BP. When she refused to come to the bedroom door, they broke in and she’s gone. Gabby fled, your sister’s pissed and Kassie borrowed Victoria and Ivan’s men to search for her.

“Shit,” he muttered as his heart fell into his stomach.

“Leo called the team together. We’ve searched and haven’t located her. The man at the hardware store saw her shopping and said she walked out of the store but he didn’t see where she went.

“I’ll be there in five.” Knight raced to Serenity. When he arrived in town, he didn’t care that he turned onto the main street on two wheels as he sped to Bryanna’s.

When he entered the house, Saint sat by his wife, comforting her.

“What did you fight about? What the hell, Bryanna? I asked you to watch her for a couple of days. I told you she can’t be stressed, and you fought with her?” he yelled. He never shouted at his sister and all reasonable thought flew out the window when he thought of his pregnant wife out there alone with someone trying to hurt her.

Saint slowly rose from the couch. His eyes narrowed, his hands clenched into fists and his nostrils flared as he stared Knight down. “You’ll treat my wife with respect in her own house,” he snarled.

Knight paced and his hand gripped his hair. “I’m sorry Bryanna. I’m worried sick. What did you fight about?” he asked.

“You,” she said deadly quiet. “You said you caught her with another man. Yet when I asked her why she did such a thing when she knew how our dad abandoned us, she didn’t appear angry or indignant. She seemed surprised and hurt. Why Marcus?” Bryanna rose and faced him. “Did you lie?”

He shook his head. “No. I came home and found her in the bedroom with another man,” he explained. “She sat in the bed and he came out of our bathroom.”

“Did you allow her to explain? Or did you assume she slept with him? Did you see her in the act?” Bryanna didn’t let up. “I suspect you didn’t from the expression on her face. You came into my house yelling at me about how I did this. What about you, Marcus? You told me my best friend betrayed you while you were deployed. I didn’t talk to her for months and I hurt her,” she cried.

Saint gathered her up in his arms. “Cupcake, we’ll find her. Knight’s headed up to the facility with me and we’ll figure out where she might’ve gone. Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he soothed.

Knight stood stunned by his sister’s revelation. Replaying the moment in his head, he recalled Gabby sitting in bed. She wore her lounging PJ’s. She didn’t sleep in them. Gabby wore them on lazy Sundays when she didn’t feel like dressing. What about the man? Why did he come out of the bathroom? He carried something in his hand. Knight grabbed onto the memory and focused on what the man held. He held a glass of water and…meds. Something had happened to Gabby. His heartbeat sped up and halted when he realized how badly he had treated the woman he loved more than anything, and now she was gone.