Now there was no warmth in it at all. The two syllables left his mouth like a sentence being handed down, and the cheek he'd slapped throbbed all over again.
I kept my expression blank and forced my voice flat.
"Did you forget? My prenatal checkup is the day after tomorrow."
Of course he didn't remember. He'd never once gone with me since I'd gotten pregnant. I'd brought it up a few times, and every time he'd given me the same pained look: "Sorry, Cecily. I'm afraid Alice will find out and have another episode. She's only just started to stabilize."
He was quiet for a moment, studying my expressionless face. Then: "You know I only said that about getting rid of the baby to calm her down."
I didn't answer. Was I supposed to thank him?
I was done groveling. Weakness and tears only built monuments to the enemy's victory. Every smug smile Alice wore was cemented with my humiliation.
When I continued to ignore him, Dustin did something unprecedented—he volunteered. "I should be free in two days. I can go with you."
I nearly laughed out loud. The classic routine: crack the whip, then offer a sugar cube.