The house was large and expensive, surrounded by manicured lawns and neat rows of red tulips.

David opened the door for me. He smiled, but his eyes were hard.

“We are going to act normal today, Maya,” he whispered. “Don’t embarrass me in front of my family.”

“I will act exactly how I should,” I replied.

Alice was waiting for us in the foyer. She smelled of lavender cologne and expensive soap.

“Maya, dear! You look so tired,” she said, giving me a quick hug. “You really should be resting more. David, bring her bag inside.”

The dining table was set with Alice’s finest white china and silver silverware.

David’s aunt and uncle were already seated, talking about their recent trip to Florida.

Everything seemed perfect. Too perfect.

But I noticed Alice was watching me closely. Every time I reached for my glass of water, her eyes followed my hand.

The air in the room felt thick.

Alice served her signature roast chicken and lemon potatoes. The family laughed and talked, but I could barely swallow a bite.

“David is doing so well at the firm, Maya,” his aunt said. “You are very lucky he can support you while you work from home.”

I looked down at my plate. I swallowed hard. I looked at David.

“I am very lucky,” I said quietly.

Alice smiled. It was the same smile she wore when she took me to the notary’s office.

I knew what was coming next.

After the plates were cleared, Alice placed a bowl of fresh fruit on the table.

Then she reached into her sideboard and pulled out a blue paper folder.

She laid it next to my teacup.

“Maya, dear,” Alice said, her voice dropping to that sweet, helpful tone. “Since the baby is coming in 2 months, we really need to sort out the house paperwork.”

“What paperwork is that?” I asked.

David slid his gold pen across the tablecloth.

“It is just the modification to the marital property agreement, Maya,” David said calmly. “It protects the apartment from any liability with my new project. It is just a formality.”

“Just a formality,” Alice repeated, nodding. “You do not understand these financial things, honey. David knows how to handle the money. It is best to sign it now.”

I looked at the gold pen. I looked at the blue paper folder.

My heart was beating fast. I felt sick to my stomach.

I did not take the pen.

Instead, I reached into my canvas bag and pulled out the white shoebox.

I placed it in the center of the table.

“What is that?” David asked, his brow furrowing.

“This is my folder,” I said.

I took the lid off the box. I took out the screenshots of Valerie’s text messages. I took out the bank transfer receipt for $3,850.

I laid them on top of the legal papers.

“This is the transfer you sent to Valerie on Thursday night,” I said. My voice did not shake. “The one with the memo for her baby shower and your baby.”