Chapter 5: The Seeds of Doubt
By the sixth month of Elena’s pregnancy, Preston had changed.
He still came home, but he was distant. Conversations became short. Affection became rare. When Elena tried to talk about baby names or nursery colors, he listened with the polite detachment of a doctor hearing a patient’s symptoms.
One night she found a text on his phone while he was in the shower.
Khloe: I hate seeing you stressed because of her. You deserve better than constant suspicion.
Elena confronted him the moment he stepped out of the bathroom.
Preston’s face hardened.
“You’re checking my phone now? This is exactly what she meant. You’re becoming paranoid, Elena.”
“She?” Elena’s voice shook. “You’re defending her?”
“I’m defending myself against accusations that have no basis.”
May you like
That was the first night he slept in the guest room.
It was not the last.
