Maxwell slowly brought my hands down from his neck and moved closer to me.

Maxwell took a step back, his hands raised in surrender. "Please, Carmela, just calm down," he said, his voice gentle. "I don't mean you or the baby any harm. I just wanted to see you, to talk to you."

Carmela stared at him, her heart still racing. She could feel the tears streaming down her face, but she didn't have the strength to stop them.

"What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice breaking.

Carmela's anger ...