Vanessa's POV

Vanessa hated hospitals.

She hated the smell, the lighting, the sterile quiet that made every heartbeat sound like drums in her chest. But today she forced herself to tolerate it, today mattered a lot. Today had to look perfect.

She lay on the adjustable bed, one hand resting dramatically on her swollen belly, her breaths shallow and shaky. The moment she heard footsteps in the hallway, she squeezed her eyes shut and curled slightly to one side,pretending to be in pain and ...