The smell of garlic and roasted chicken filled the kitchen as Mark moved around with a proud smile on his face. He had spent the last two hours preparing what he called his “special welcome-home dinner,” even though he’d already been back for weeks. Emma sat at the dining table, watching him with a knot in her stomach that had nothing to do with morning sickness this time.
“You’ve been so distant lately, babe,” Mark said warmly, plating the food. “I thought this might help. Just us, good food, and some time to reconnect.”
Emma forced a smile, her hand instinctively resting on her still-flat belly under the table. “It looks amazing, honey. Thank you.”
She was wearing a modest sundress, but underneath she was already plugged, per Jax’s earlier instructions. Her phone had buzzed twenty min
