"You're my wife. You're carrying my kid. You don't have a choice."
I laughed. Short. Bitter. "I don't have a choice?"
"No." I stared at him. "I'm not moving across the country because you say so."
"I have a life here. Eli has school. I have work..."
"You don't have shit here. Paparazzi are still outside your apartment. You can't go back. And you're not staying in this hotel forever."
Zariah spoke up. "Cal...."
He cut her off. "This isn't up for debate."
I stood. "I'm not moving to LA with you. I barely know you. Eli barely knows you. You can't just...."
"I can. And I am." He stepped closer. Voice low. Cruel. "You signed the papers. You said yes. You're married to me. You're having my baby. You come with me. End of story."
I stared at him. Chest tight. "And if I say no?"
"Then Ron gets lawyers involved. Custody shit. Media shit. You want that for Eli?"
I flinched.
Zariah stood too. "That's low, even for you."
"I'm not leaving my job," I said to Cal. "I'm not uprooting Eli again. Not for you."
He rubbed his face. "Zariah can visit. Eli can do online school. I'll pay for everything. You're not staying in this hotel forever."
"I'm not going where Sydney is."
He laughed once. Cold. "Sydney's family. You're... temporary."
The word landed like a slap.
Zariah stepped between us. "You're being cruel."
Cal ignored her. Kept his eyes on me. "My lawyer's coming tomorrow. Prenup. You sign it. We leave Saturday."
I felt the room tilt. "You're serious."
"Dead serious."
He turned to leave.
Then stopped. Turned back.
He walked out.
Door slammed.
I stood there. Shaking.
Zariah hugged me from behind. "You don't have to do this."
"I know." My voice cracked. "But I think I do."
That evening Eli was eating pasta at the kitchen island. Kei had come over to check on us, said he felt bad about earlier. He was sitting next to Eli, making stupid faces while Eli laughed around a mouthful of noodles.
