Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Cora Yavener lost her baby during her third month in France. Before leaving, she taught her son, Noah Lyson, how to make video calls. Once she arrived in France, Noah called her every day, tablet in hand. That night, she waited for his usual call. The screen came on, but all she saw was darkness. Nearly ten minutes passed before Noah's face finally appeared. Cora immediately noticed his red, swollen eyes. When she asked what was wrong, the little boy burst into tears and rubbed at them. "Mommy, when are you coming home?" he sobbed. "I don't want Daddy anymore. He's a bad daddy! He let that mean lady wear your clothes. I told her not to, but she yelled at me and said Daddy didn't want you anymore. Then she told me to call her Mommy." Cora froze. As she came out of her daze, she saw Evan Lyson's assistant smiling and waving at her. The woman was wearing Cora's pajamas. "Cora, don't worry about staying in France," the assistant said. "I'll take good care of Mr. Lyson and Noah." It had only been three months. Cora could hardly believe Evan hadn't even held out that long. She felt heartbroken, then bitterly amused, and above all, foolish for ever hoping things might work out. After ending the call, she couldn't stop seeing the assistant in her pajamas. Her skin crawled, so she took a shower. Her foot slipped on the wet floor, and she fell. She lost the baby at six months. The baby was already fully formed, so she had to undergo induced labor. The pain was unbearable, and she nearly died on the operating table. Without Hayden Sabey pulling strings to find France's top doctor, Cora was sure she wouldn't have survived. When Evan heard she had lost the baby, he flew to France to see her. Cora refused to meet him, and Mrs. Yavener chased him out of the house with a broom.