Aloe's POV
The news about Blake's plea deal reached me through Sofia, who called with barely contained emotion.
"He took it. Six years in federal prison in exchange for full cooperation. He starts testifying next week."
Six years. The words hit me like a physical blow. "Why would he do that?"
"Because you have a custody battle coming up, and having him fighting federal charges would hurt your case. So he's accepting prison time to improve your chances." Sofia's voice carried something that might have been tears. "Aloe, he's sacrificing his freedom for you."
After hanging up, I stood at the Vermont windows, my hand on my belly where the baby was doing what felt like acrobatics. Twenty-five weeks now, the pregnancy impossible to hide, my body transformed by the life growing inside me.
