“Lina?” Phil was behind her, his hand sliding over her stomach.

“Don’t.” She shook her head as she stepped away from him, crossing to the edge of the deck and looking out over the darkened yard. “I want to be alone.”

“Let me make it better.”

“Make it better?” She turned to him. “You’re why I’m hurting,” she cried. “You hurt me. And do you know what the worst part is? You’re the only one that had the power to hurt me like this.”

“Baby, don’t.” He touched the side of her face. “Don’t cry.” He brushed his mouth against hers. “I love you.”

“Stop!” she cried, pushing her palms against his chest. “I hate you!”

“No you don’t.” His arms were around her, pulling her tightly into his chest. “No, you don’t.”

“Let me go!” she screamed as she tried unsuccessfully to get away from him. “Let me go!”

“Not until you calm down.”

“I hate you! I hate you!”

“Mom?” Logan’s concerned voice came from behind Phil. “Are you okay?”

“She’s fine. Go back inside!” Phil growled.

Logan took a step towards them. “Mom?”

“It’s okay,” Lina said, no longer struggling. “I’m fine. Go back inside.”

“Get out of here, Logan!” Phil roared when Logan still hesitated. “Now!”

As soon as the door closed, Lina fisted Phil’s shirt. “Don’t you dare take this out on him!”

“They’re watching.” He loosened his embrace. “All three.”

Lina’s anger was gone as soon as she saw the worried looks on her children’s faces. “I’m calling Adele. I need to call Adele.”

“What? Why?”

“I don’t want to be here. I need to get away from you.”

“Then I’ll leave.”

“No. I can’t be around the kids, either.” She wiped at the tears beneath her eyes. “I need some space.”

“Lina,” he began touching her arm. “Don’t do this. Go to our room. I’ll stay away. I’ll keep the kids away, and I’ll sleep in the guest room downstairs. The kids won’t know. Please. Stay.”

“But I want to talk to Adele.”

“Then have her come here. Call her.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and held it out to her. “Call her,” he repeated. “This is your house. You belong here. The kids need you here.”

Lina was curled in the fetal position on the bed when Adele burst into her room. “What’s going on? What happened?”

“Phil had an affair,” Lina said, knowing if she didn’t say it immediately she wouldn’t be able to. “And now she’s pregnant with his baby.”

A speechless Adele stared at Lina for a full minute before responding, her face pale and her large eyes like saucers. “That motherfucker!” She crossed towards the door.

“Adele, no!” Lina cried. “You can’t say anything. The kids don’t know. Please! Please don’t. Please.”

“Oh, baby,” Adele whispered. “I’m so sorry.” She crossed back to the bed. And then they were both crying as Adele cradled Lina in her arms. “Do you know what we need?” Adele asked when the tears finally stopped. “Ice cream.”