Emma woke at 2:14AM to the familiar, heavy ache in her chest and the sudden, sharp cramp low in her belly. The baby monitor was quiet for once, no fussing, no crying. Mark was asleep beside her, one arm draped over her sagging belly like he’d done every night since the promotion trip. She could feel the fresh plugs from last night still locked deep inside her, the slow, steady leak of milk soaking through her tank top and pooling between her massive t**s. The collar and the black silicone ring were still hidden under the covers, but she could feel them there like a brand.
She didn’t wake him. She slipped out of bed without a sound, bare feet silent on the hardwood, and waddled downstairs. The basement was already waiting Marcus sprawled on the couch with a fresh bottle of whiskey, Jax lea
