Cassandra stated that Wesley had the right to build a life with his wife. Edith slammed her hand down on the wooden dining table.
“My son would be absolutely nothing without my guidance!” the woman screamed. “And that girl you are carrying hasn’t even been born yet, but she is already tearing this family apart!”
Those words hurt Cassandra more than any of the previous insults combined. It was the first time Edith had spoken about the baby with such pure hatred.
Cassandra reached out to snatch her folder back. Edith shoved her shoulder, and the front door was suddenly thrown wide open.
“Grab your things and get out of here right now,” Edith commanded. “If Wesley isn’t here to protect you, then you aren’t staying another hour.”
“I am seven months pregnant and I have nowhere to go,” Cassandra cried.
“I didn’t get you pregnant, so that isn’t my problem,” Edith said while pointing to the street. “Go find someone else who will put up with your whining.”
Cassandra thought it was just a hollow threat until she saw Edith march into the bedroom. The older woman grabbed a small suitcase and began throwing clothes inside without any care.
She mixed delicate blouses with muddy shoes and tossed baby items on the floor. Cassandra tried to stop her, but a sharp tug in her abdomen forced her to double over.
“Please, that is enough,” Cassandra groaned through her teeth. “You are going to cause a medical emergency.”
“The only emergency in this house is you,” Edith replied while dragging the suitcase toward the front door.
A neighbor across the street was watering her garden and stopped to watch the commotion. Cassandra felt a wave of deep embarrassment wash over her as she stood on the porch.
Edith shoved the suitcase onto the sidewalk and stood in the doorway. “I do not want to see your face here when the sun goes down tonight.”
The heavy wooden door slammed shut.
Cassandra stood frozen on the sidewalk for several minutes while tears blurred her vision. She took a deep breath and tried to call Wesley, but the call went straight to voicemail.
She sent a frantic text message, but it remained on a single checkmark. The pain in her stomach returned, and this time it was much sharper than before.
When her best friend, Jenna, arrived twenty minutes later, she found Cassandra sitting on the suitcase. Cassandra was pale and clutching her belly while staring at the locked house.