Dr. Salinas reaches for the phone beside the ultrasound machine. “Then they need to leave.”
Diego’s face reddens. “I’m her husband.”
“And this is her medical appointment,” the doctor replies. “You do not have the right to enter without consent.”
Paola pulls at his sleeve. “Diego, let’s go.”
You stare at her.
There is something in her voice now.
Not confidence.
Urgency.
“Wait,” you say.
Everyone looks at you.
You turn to Paola. “Why do you want to leave now?”
She blinks. “Because this is uncomfortable.”
“No,” you say. “You were perfectly comfortable when you came in to watch my humiliation.”
Diego snaps, “Enough, Laura.”
You ignore him.
Your eyes stay on Paola’s face.
“You wanted the doctor to say I was far enough along to make me look guilty,” you say slowly. “But she said the opposite. And now you’re scared.”
Paola laughs, but it comes out thin. “You’re emotional.”
There it is again.
The word women hear when the truth starts getting too close.
Emotional.
You slide off the exam table carefully, your legs weak but steady enough.
“You knew,” you whisper.
Paola’s mouth opens.
Diego steps in front of her. “Don’t start inventing stories.”
But your mind is already moving backward.
The timing.
The way Diego had not seemed confused when you showed him the pregnancy test.
The way he had seemed ready.
The suitcase already packed.
Paola already waiting.
The divorce papers already prepared.
The clause demanding you repay “marital expenses” if the baby was not his.
This was not rage.
This was a plan.
You look at Diego.
“You didn’t leave because you thought I cheated,” you say. “You used the pregnancy because you already wanted to leave.”
His face changes.
There.
The truth passes across it for half a second.
Then he covers it with anger.
“You’re insane.”
