The Cufflink

Chapter 2 “She caused this”

The front door hadn’t even closed before a bedroom door opened down the hall.

“Mama?” David turned, and for a second the anger in his face cracked.

Ann Williams stepped out, barefoot, wearing a silk robe. Too young to be called “Mama” by most people, but in the Williams house, she was the one who held it together. Her eyes moved from David’s face to Lena’s stomach. Too fast. Calculating.

“David,” she said, voice smooth, practiced. “You’re home.” She crossed the room quickly and pulled him into a hug, putting herself between him and Lena. “We didn’t know you were coming.”

“I wasn’t planning to,” David said, trying to see past her. “Mama, she’s pregnant. With another man’s—”

“I see it,” Ann cut in, still holding him. Over his shoulder, her eyes met Lena’s. Not a warning. A plea. Don’t. “Lena, sit down. You look tired.”

Lena didn’t move. She stared at Ann with something cold and sharp. “Don’t pretend with me.”

David stiffened in Ann’s arms. “Lena—”

“No.” Lena stepped forward, one hand over her stomach. “She caused this. All of it.” Her eyes flicked to Ann’s. “But don’t worry. I’m not going to tell him. Not yet.”

Ann’s breath caught. For a moment, her composure slipped.

David looked between them, frowning. “What are you two not telling me?”

Ann recovered fast. She smoothed his collar, the way she used to when he was a boy about to make a mistake. “Nothing, son. We’re just… catching up.” She forced a smile. “Go upstairs and freshen up. We’ll talk after the board meeting tomorrow.”

David hesitated. Then he glanced at Lena, saw her hand still on her stomach, and left without another word.

The second he was gone, Lena’s voice dropped.

“You have to let me go, Ann.”

Ann’s hands trembled. “Lena, no.”

“I love him,” Lena said, and it sounded like it hurt. “That’s why I have to end it. If he finds out who the father is, if he finds out what you did to make this happen, he’ll never recover.”

“I know,” Ann whispered. “That’s why you can’t say anything.”

Lena laughed, broken. “So I should just stay? Live a lie in his house? Carry this baby and pretend it’s—”

“Don’t say it,” Ann cut in, stepping closer. “Please. If David hears it from you, he’ll break. He’s the heir to this family. He can’t fall apart now.”

“And I can?” Lena’s voice cracked. “Ann, I’m trying to protect him. The only way to do that is to walk away. Divorce him. Before he looks at me and sees the truth in my eyes.”

Ann grabbed her wrist. Her grip was desperate. “If you leave him, he’ll dig. He’ll find out everything. Stay. Lie. Do it for him.”

Lena looked down at Ann’s hand on her wrist, then up at her face. “You’re asking me to destroy myself to save him.”

“I’m asking you to save him,” Ann said. “Because I can’t.”

For a long moment, Lena said nothing. Then she pulled her wrist free.

“I love him,” she repeated. “That’s why I have to leave.”

Ann didn’t answer. She just watched Lena walk away, and for the first time, she looked afraid of what would happen next.