LOVING HER TOO LATE

CHAPTER 009

Savannah's POV

The clinic where I went for prenatal care had a scent of antiseptic, baby powder and anxiety.

I was in the waiting room, my hands tightly clenched in my lap, my fingers pressing into the coat. A woman sitting opposite me was reading a parenting magazine that had a cheerful little bear on the cover. She appeared calm, as if this was something everyone did. It felt like any other appointment, not the one that would change everything.

A nurse wearing scrubs called out to me. I moved too quickly and almost fell over my own feet.

“Let’s go this way, dear,” she said, smiling in a way that was both kind and professional.

I walked behind her as she went down a quiet hallway. Every action made the knot in my stomach feel tighter. I kept thinking about Ethan all the time. About the things he said when I left. How he looked at me as if I had slipped away from him. He didn’t raise his voice. He whispered.

That was even more terrible.

The sonographer welcomed me in a room that was softly lit. She looked at me with kindness and wore a pink cap decorated with little unicorns. Her voice was soft and soothing, as if nothing bad could ever happen in this place.

"Okay, Savannah. Let’s get you settled and I’ll show you the baby, okay?"

I agreed and lay down as she applied the warm gel to my stomach. I should have felt safe, but I felt like I was being watched. Vulnerable.

I felt the wand touch my skin and the screen turned on.

She walked slowly, keeping her eyes on the black-and-white noise. Time passed by in seconds.

No sound.

I was frozen in shock.

Was there a problem?

Did the baby ever exist? Was I being made to suffer? Was the brain affected by stress or trauma?

And then—

That sound.

Thump-thump-thump-thump.

It echoed through the room, fast and strong. Steady. Alive.

I gasped.

“There we are,” the sonographer whispered. That’s the one you’re expecting.

I didn’t notice I was crying until my eyes started to blur. It wasn’t only about the heartbeat. It showed me that I was right. That small light on the screen represented a life. My life. Our life.

For the first time in a while, I felt a sense of relief. I didn’t feel like I was sinking anymore.

The sonographer gave me a small picture and smiled gently as she handed it to me. I looked at it, holding it as if it could break at any moment.

The shape was hard to make out — it looked like a tiny bean hiding in the darkness. Still, it was present. Breathing. Fighting.

As soon as I left the clinic, everything appeared as it had before. Blue sky. Cars were parked along the edge of the road. A woman with a stroller walked by the front window. A little boy ran next to her, laughing.

Yet, something didn’t seem right.

It was the quiet that got to me. The ones that made your gut feel uneasy.

I headed toward my car which was parked near the trees. The air was getting chilly and the breeze seemed to be whispering a warning on my neck.

That’s when I noticed it.

A dark gray car. Parked right in front of the house. Tinted windows. Not running. Not moving.

However, someone was already inside the house.

I continued walking, moving quickly but not in a hurry. Act as if you don’t notice it. Imagine you have no idea what is going on.

When I passed another car, I looked in the side mirror.

A man. He is tall. He is wearing a long black coat. His hat was pulled down over his eyes.

He wasn’t just standing around aimlessly.

He was keeping an eye on me.

I felt my heart jump. I kept going until I got to my car. I opened the door with hands that were shaking. I got inside and closed the door.

I didn’t check it out again.

I didn’t have to.

I could tell he was still around. Still watching.

I turned on the engine and drove away, holding the wheel tightly. I looked in the rearview mirror three times. The sedan did not join us.

Yet, my skin felt like it was being chased by something.

I made a turn that wasn’t necessary halfway through my journey. Then another. Then, a third. In case something happens.

However, no one joined him.

Perhaps they were just better at covering up their actions.

As I reached my apartment building, my stomach was in a real mess. I pulled up behind a delivery van, switched off the engine and sat for a moment, listening.

Nothing.

I picked up my bag, pushed the ultrasound picture further inside and ran to the door as if the ground could collapse at any moment.

After entering, I made sure to lock every bolt on my door. Deadbolt. Chain. I even tried putting a chair under the knob, just like in the movies.

I didn’t let myself fall to the floor and lean against the door until I was certain I was alone.

What was that sound? Who was it?

It wasn’t Ethan who did it.

He preferred to stay clean.

He did not do it himself; he had others to help him.

I felt a tightness in my stomach as I thought about it. I noticed the slight bump that was just starting to appear. I felt my hands shaking as I took the photo out of my bag.

I was responsible for that little heartbeat.

I jumped when I heard a knock. I let the picture fall to the ground.

Three knocks.

Not loud. Not frantic.

Calculated.

I got up slowly, my heart racing and looked through the peephole.

No one.

Just the hallway is what I see.

After that, a small piece of paper was gently pushed under the door.

No footsteps. No sign of retreating. Just silence.

I hesitated before picking up the phone.

Just five words.

“You should have kept your mouth shut.”

I felt my throat tighten and dry up.

The paper had a faint scent of cologne which was sharp and bitter, like leather and ash.

I made sure to lock every door and bolt.

I moved back into the dark corners of my hallway. I didn’t notice I was crying again until I felt the salt on my lips.

I heard my phone vibrate.

Unknown number.

I didn’t say anything.

Another buzz.

A text.

“The next time, we’ll use something other than paper.”

I was unable to breathe.

I placed my hand on my stomach, hoping it would protect the baby from harm.

What were their goals?

I walked into my bedroom, holding the ultrasound picture. I sat on the bed and looked at the blurred shape once more.

It wasn’t only Ethan who was affected now.

He was aware that I was pregnant.

This message — this entire event — was planned for a specific time. Today. The day you have the ultrasound. There had to be someone inside the building keeping an eye on things.

My phone made another noise.

Another message.

This time, I’ll send you a photo.

I opened the message and almost dropped my phone.

I was the one who did it.

Being positioned on the exam table. Crying. The sonographer standing next to me.

The shot was taken from outside, looking in through the clinic window. A shot from far away, but I am still recognizable.

I rushed to the bathroom and vomited.

They were so close to each other.

The knocking at the door happened again.

Not meant as a criticism, really. It’s more like a tap.

Sharp. Deliberate.

I froze.

Then, a voice was heard. Low. Male. Too calm.

“Savannah… I can tell you’re still in there.

I couldn’t move.

I didn’t know who was speaking.

Yet, the way he said my name — so close and so easy — made me feel uncomfortable.

I walked down the hallway, holding my phone to my chest and the ultrasound photo in my pocket.

He said, “I just want to talk.”

I didn’t say anything.

I couldn’t.

The doorknob made a rattling sound.

Then nothing.

I waited.

Minutes passed.

I could hear someone walking away after that.

I thought I had, but I wasn’t sure.

I went back to the peephole.

No one.

I stayed up all night.

I was sitting on the floor, holding a pillow, with the lights off and my phone in my lap.

What are their goals?

Was it Ethan who sent the warning?

Or could this be the start of something bigger?

And if they knew my address…

How much time did I have before they returned?