What Blooms From Burned Love

Bruce never came back that night.

By morning, sunlight hit Suri's face, and noise echoed from the hallway.

She cracked the door. The maid was guiding workers toward the guest room.

"Hustle up! Plans are already set. The nursery needs to be done, like, yesterday. Mr. Jerkinson's son's almost here—we can't have paint fumes around the baby!"

Suri walked to the upstairs railing.

Down below, the maid was hauling in baby stuff—crib, stroller, formula, diapers. The whole room was getting swallowed.

Julie frowned. "Bruce, the baby's not even here yet. You bought all this? Isn't Suri gonna feel awful?"

Bruce waved it off. "The baby's what matters now. Forget everything else." He tugged her toward the table. "These are from my parents. Go ahead, open 'em."

She popped the lid. Diamonds, gold, sparkly stuff piled up like treasure.

"Oh my God, this is insane." She snapped the box shut. "I can't take this. Give it to Suri."

"She doesn't need it. It's for you. And the baby. Keep it."

Bruce slid a ring onto her finger. "I can't give you a wedding. Or the Jerkinson name. Just... don't hate me."

"Hate you? I get you and the baby. That's more than enough."

They clung to each other like it was the end of the world.

Suri dropped her gaze, turned back inside, and grabbed the divorce papers.

She flipped to the last page, pen in hand, and headed downstairs.

"Bruce, I need your signature."

The two of them jumped apart.

Bruce scrambled for words. "Suri, Julie wasn't feeling well, so I—"

She smiled, cool and easy. "I get it. Pregnancy's tough. You were just being sweet."

She held out the pen. "Sign this."

"What is it?" He started flipping through.

Julie tugged his arm. "Didn't you promise to take me baby shopping?"

"Right, let's go." Bruce glanced down, scrawled his name, barely looking. "Suri, if you need something, just buy it. No need for my signature."

Suri locked eyes with Julie.

Yeah—Julie knew exactly what he'd signed. She'd timed it just right.

Suri looked at the fresh signature and let out a quiet smile. That made it easy.

She slid off the emerald ring.

"Julie, this is yours now."

Bruce frowned. "Isn't that the ring my mom gave you? It's a Jerkinson heirloom—our wedding ring. You can't just hand it off."

"Your mom said it keeps people safe. Jade wards off bad luck, right? Julie's pregnant. She needs it more."

Suri slipped it onto Julie's finger. "Wishing you a safe delivery. And wishing you..."

'A happy little family.'

She didn't say it out loud.

Bruce looked weirdly touched. "Suri, thank you. After the baby's born, I'll make sure she gives it back."

She gave a polite smile. "Let's talk then."

"I'm taking Julie shopping for baby stuff. I'll be back for dinner. Oh, and Suri—the doc says she's a little anemic. I remember your creamy chicken soup's a lifesaver. Mind making some?"

Tears stung her eyes. "And if I say no?"

Bruce paused. "Would it help if I said please?"

"If this is the last thing you ever ask of me..."

"Doesn't matter. I'm asking. For the baby."

Before Suri could respond, he was gone—with Julie.