Marcus froze for a second, instinctively catching the envelope before it slipped from his hand.
Allison didn’t even look back. She turned on her heel and walked out.
When the door clicked shut behind her, Marcus knew there was no point trying to chase her now — not while she was still burning with anger. He tore the report open anyway. Inside was a single page and a sonogram print. Male fetus.
He exhaled hard, dropped back onto the couch, the report still clutched in his hand. His thoughts spun in chaotic loops.
He had no idea how long he sat there until his phone buzzed against the table — his secretary, calling about work. He pressed the phone to his ear and wandered to the window. Outside, the sky had turned dusky red. Late autumn, nearly winter. Dusk came early now.
He stared at t
