“It’s beautiful, Sonia,” I whisper faintly, struggling not to cry.

She frowns at me. “Hey, what wrong? This is supposed to be a happy gift.”

I shake my head. “It’s nothing. Just hormones.” I wave my hand dismissing the topic.

She pauses for a minute. “I know it’s not really any of my business and all. And that you will tell me when you are ready, but I know there is something more than hormones more than this pregnancy that gives you that resigned look.”

I am not at all shocked that she is noticed. It has always been so easy to hide my secret simply because no one was ever truly looking at me. But Sonia looked. Sonia cared.

“I know you told Landon you didn’t want the baby. Is that really true?” she asks.

I am sobbing uncontrollably now. “Of course, I want my baby. I love him or her more than anything in this world.”

Sonia wraps an arm around my shoulder, comforting me.

“I would keep him if I could. But I can’t.”

“Why?”

But I cannot tell Sonia why. I cannot tell anyone why, and then I think why not. Maybe it’s selfish on my part not to want to see pity in my only friend’s eyes. Selfish to let her care knowing I am going to die. But if Sonia does not grieve for me, then who will? Certainly not my husband.

“Is it because of Landon? Did he do something? I know your marriage is not…conventional,” Sonia asks.

Shame floods my cheeks. It does not take a genius to know how she figured that one out. I am sure her brief relationship with Jared filled her in. He always seems to have a cruel thing to say.

“No, nothing like that. My marriage has been the best years of my life. Landon is so gentle, honorable, and kind.” All these things are true. He is kind to the staff, his friends; just not always to me. But gentle? He was always gentle with me. From day one. I do not want Sonia to ever think ill of him.

Sonia nods in understanding, a sad look on her face. I know she knows, but neither of us say anything for a long time.

“Could you do something for me, Sonia?”

“Of course.”

“I’m-”—I swallow hard—“I’m leaving after I have the baby. I have been working with a lawyer. Arranging a will. If I give you an address, will you promise me never to tell anyone—not Landon, not my dad, or Jared—anyone where I am?”

Sonia hesitates. “Are you in some kind of trouble, Brooke?”

“I’m not running from anyone, if that’s what you’re asking.”

We stare at each other for a long time before she finally relents. “I promise.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Also, if you would like to, um… Would you like to be a sponsor? Derick and Becca will be the godparents; Landon won’t be waver on that.”

Sonia’s grin could split her face. “Of course.” She wraps me up in a huge hug. We giggle like schoolgirls as the huge throws us off balance slightly.