The joy had barely touched my heart before his next words crushed it:

"But your heart is in very poor condition. If you insist on carrying to term, we could lose both you and the baby. Our medical team's recommendation is to terminate the pregnancy."

It was snowing lightly that evening, so Sean came home late. He walked through the door with a grin and handed me a roasted sweet potato.

"Worked overtime today. Boss gave me an extra fifty bucks, so I figured I'd get you something nice. Eat it while it's hot."

I cradled it in both hands, the heat turning my palms red, but I couldn't bring myself to set it down.

He crouched in front of me, eyes bright.

"Elaine, once I land a big payday, we'll move somewhere with proper heating. You'll never have to freeze again."

I looked at him. At his reddened nose. At the light in his eyes. My throat closed up.

I laughed through my tears, broke the sweet potato in half, and held one piece out to him.

He took it, bit off a huge chunk, and winced at the heat, grinning at me like a fool.

The next day, I hid the test results.

The day after that, I came home from the hospital and found Sean holding a piece of paper, his face flushed with excitement.

"Elaine, you're pregnant! How could you keep this from me? We're finally going to have a baby!"

"And today's a double celebration. I finally landed an investor. Our whole future just opened up!"

He swept me into his arms and spun me around until I was dizzy, my heart hammering against my ribs.

I didn't know how to tell him. I couldn't keep this baby, because it would kill me.

I knew him. The moment he found out, he would abandon everything and pour every last dollar into saving me.

But how could I let him? He'd clawed his way out of nowhere, fought tooth and nail to build something, all so he could give me a home.

His dream. His future. Everything he had was riding on that plan.

I didn't want to die. But I couldn't watch everything he'd worked for collapse, either. So I ended the pregnancy, and then I drove him away.

I scraped together every penny I could and bought the cheapest medication available, and through news headlines and magazine covers, I pieced together the story of a man who'd made it.

Then came the day we met again at the bridal shop.

I stumbled out of the hospital in a daze, the report crumpled in my fist, barely able to walk a straight line.