Evelyn stood beside him, her face carved from stone.

Two corporate attorneys in dark suits stood with them, briefcases in hand.

And two uniformed sheriff’s deputies stood a little apart, watchful and ready.

And sitting comfortably on a plush velvet bench behind them all, wearing a soft cashmere sweater and sipping a warm cup of decaffeinated tea, was me.

My bump was proudly on display.

I looked, I had made sure to look, rested, and radiant, and utterly, completely unbothered.

Julian’s brain, I could see, simply short-circuited.