Frozen Promises

Allison tucked away the signed divorce agreement and let out a long breath.

Braydon skipped reading the details. That spared her a lot of fake tugging and excuses.

This worked out fine. Next month she could leave unburdened.

She stepped out of the office just in time to see Braydon scoop Kathleen up in his arms and dash into the elevator without a backward glance.

The fragile little pregnant woman must have "accidentally" bumped into something again and stirred up fetal distress.

Allison stared blankly at the spot where they vanished.

The elevator doors slid shut slow. Braydon never once looked up at her.

Her heart went hollow for a beat.

She once dreamed of having a child with him.

She even pictured how frantic he would get if something went wrong during her pregnancy.

Now she witnessed his panic firsthand. It just was not for her.

True love shifted in a flash.

The man who once saw only her faded into the river of time. Gone forever.

Whatever. She might as well pretend he died.

Allison sighed softly. She took another elevator down and drove to the hospital.

Years of intense ice training and shows left her with plenty of old injuries. She needed regular therapy.

Today marked her scheduled checkup.

After a full rehab session, she walked out of the therapy center sore all over.

She spotted Kathleen unexpectedly by the artificial lake in the hospital garden.

The other woman clearly waited for her. She curved her lips and hurried over. "Ms. Palmer, nice weather today. Care for a stroll?"

Allison wanted no tangle with her. She walked straight ahead.

Kathleen caught up though. She started bragging in that false-modest way. "I told Mr. Saunders it was just a little bump on the table corner. No big deal. He insisted on rushing me here for a check."

Allison halted sharp. She fixed Kathleen with a cold stare. "If you came to gloat, spare me. Your little games turn my stomach."

Kathleen's laugh grew bolder. "You know, us mistresses have it easy compared to you proper wives. Your husband knocks up another woman, and you sit there cool as ice. If it were me, I'd have passed out from rage."

Allison ignored her. She sidestepped to leave. Kathleen grabbed her wrist though. "Ms. Palmer, you don't seriously plan to just muddle along with Mr. Saunders and raise my kid for me?"

She dropped her voice low with a spiteful grin. "Let me tell you. Fat chance. He slept with me. He said I taste better than you. Replacing you is just a matter of time."

Allison burned with fury. She yanked her hand free. "I told you I don't want to hear it."

That slight tug sent Kathleen toppling straight back though.

She was pregnant after all. Allison reached out on instinct to steady her.

Kathleen twisted and pulled her arm instead. They both tumbled into the lake behind them. Water splashed everywhere.

The icy lake flooded her mouth and nose. Allison could not swim. Her body sank out of control.

Kathleen clung to her clothes like some water spirit. She whispered in her ear. "Guess who he saves first."

Allison struggled to lift her head. In her blurry sight, she made out Braydon rushing over. His face twisted in panic.

Kathleen clearly knew how to swim. She thrashed hard now though. Her cries rang out shrill and helpless. "Mr. Saunders! Save me! Save our baby!"