Free Love After Marriage (Forever After #2) by Mia Kayla

whether to answer it. Finally, I strolled toward the living room and picked up on the fourth ring.
    "Beth?"
    My mother-in-law's sweet voice filled my ears, and I pulled the phone closer. Hearing her alleviated the fear within me, even for just a moment. I didn't realize I needed comforting until her voice echoed through the receiver.
    "Hi." I released a long, jagged sigh.
    I was sure Dad had called her to tell her I wasn't well, and I appreciated it. If I hadn’t picked up, I was sure she'd try my cell next.
    "Beth, hi honey. How’re you doing?"
    Heat formed behind my eyes. I craved the tenderness in her tone. "I'm okay, just having stomach issues." I leaned against the wall for support, my upper body tensing as though the weight of the whole day was on my shoulders. I wanted to tell my mother-in-law so badly. My insides craved to tell someone else who would have been ecstatic for us, but first Kent and I needed to pass this hump.
    "I can always come over and make my famous chicken noodle soup. It works wonders." She laughed. "Maybe we could do that instead of dinner tonight."
    "No, it's okay. I'll be ready for dinner." Funny thing was her chicken noodle soup did work wonders, but it wouldn't cure this. I loved his family. They had accepted me when I was alone and when my own flesh and blood had hurt me. But at the end of the day, I couldn't complain to her about what was really bothering me——her son and our future.
    "Is something wrong, honey?"
    My hand flew to my stomach. To calm myself, the baby? Who knew?
    Even though Karen Plack wasn't my biological mother, she always knew when I was upset and, although she didn't meddle, she always knew when Kent and I were arguing.
    "No, I'm just not feeling well."
    "Your stomach hurts? Maybe you're having a baby." She laughed lightheartedly.
    I bit my cheek as a strong emotion coursed through me. Did she know? Although she’d never pressured us, she would joke around Kent and call it wishful thinking. There was no doubt she wanted grandchildren to spoil.
    I kept my voice as steady as I could. "Wouldn't that be great?"
    "Great? That would be more than great. That would be the best news of the century!"
    My chest hurt, and a warmth pushed behind my eyes. I doubted my ability to keep it together any further on the phone. Damn hormones. "Mom, sorry I have to go. I think I just need to lay down."
    "Okay, Beth, but don't worry. Babies will happen soon. We'll see you tonight."
    "Thanks."
    After she hung up, I dropped the phone and slid to the floor as tears fell down my cheeks. I don't think I've ever cried so much in my life as I had these last few days.
    But when the crying fit stopped, I felt numb, not better. Sometimes, everyone needed a good cry, but nothing would curb this feeling I had inside, hoping my baby was okay, hoping Kent and I were okay.
    There was no one I could talk to. If I told my best friend, Kendy, about our situation and how Kent had been acting, she would have his balls on a stick.
    I’d never felt so alone.
    I didn’t know how long I'd been sitting on the floor, staring at the tiny lines in our hardwood, but when I heard the door fly open, I stood and rushed to the kitchen to give myself something to do. But the sudden motion had me feeling unsteady, and I braced myself at the sink as the water ran between my fingertips.
    Kent dropped his briefcase on the floor, the thud echoing in the kitchen. Anxiety crept up my throat, and a moment later I felt his presence behind me as I washed the morning dishes in the sink.
    He kissed my cheek. "Hey. I couldn't stay at work, knowing you're feeling this way.” He started to massage my shoulders. "Are you still up for dinner tonight?"
    When I froze at his touch, he dropped his hands and the air filled with uncomfortable silence. That silence seemed to be the norm between us recently.
    "Yes. I'm fine," I lied, feeling horrible and bone tired. It took every effort to keep myself upright.
    He stood there for a second,