My stomach churned with the weight of my low spirits. I feared I might actually throw up, so I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would take over and ease the nausea.

The rest, however, were bored and began playing "Song Quiz". They cranked the volume up so high that the noise made it impossible for me to sleep.

I was drifting into a light sleep when Walter's shout for the answer jerked me awake again. "Mistaken Love! Mistaken Love! That's five points for me!"

His laughter boomed.

When he turned and saw the displeasure on my face, he stuttered, "R-Renee, do you want to join us?"

"Don't bother," Elias said. "She's such a buzzkill. Having her in the game would just ruin the vibe."

This was the same guy who had fallen for me at first sight when we met at a college club event. I was the most energetic person there, and he told me that my cheerful personality was what drew him in.

But now, he didn't think twice about making me feel small to spare his colleague's feelings.

"What was it about Renee that made you want to marry her, Elias?" Isabel asked in a sugary tone. "A man like you deserves someone exceptional."

"She's great at running a household and taking care of others," Elias explained, his smirk barely noticeable.

"Oh, you mean like a housekeeper? But I'm sure she's better than your average housekeeper, isn't she?"

"Yeah, exactly, a housekeeper. That's the word I was looking for."

My nails dug deep into my palms. I stared at their backs as they joked around.

Then, I forced out my words through clenched teeth. "You're such a delight, Ms. Slater. Maybe you're the better match for Elias."

Isabel turned around, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You've misunderstood everything, Renee! Elias is just a senior I looked up to at work. I understand you might feel jealous, especially with the mood swings that come with pregnancy.

"Elias, for Renee and the baby's sake, maybe it's best to let me off at the next rest area. I'll call for a rideshare."

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

Elias' face twisted with discomfort as he tried to soothe her. "Renee's a little unstable at times and often says things without thinking. Don't let it bother you, Isabel. Stay where you are. I'm not leaving you behind."

He turned slightly toward me, his voice rising with frustration. "Renee! Do you have to be so spiteful? Can't you just keep quiet in the back? Is putting Isabel down the only way you can feel good?

"I'll drop you off at the next rest area if you keep this up. Stop embarrassing me before everyone! Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking, marrying someone with no manners."

Walter and Hubert jumped in to defend Isabel.

"That was way out of line, Renee. Isabel and Elias haven't done a thing wrong. How can you make such ridiculous accusations?"

"Exactly. Jealousy is one thing, but you're out of control. Is this what pregnancy does to people? Makes them lose all sense of reason?"

They kept going, one after another, leaving no room for me to defend myself. My head swam, fury rising like a tidal wave inside me.

I wanted to fling the door open and get out of the car, but the highway blurred past us, and there was no way to escape.

My voice shook as I burst out. "I'm your wife, Elias!"

"So what if you are?" he retorted. "Does that mean I have to pamper you? Apologize to Isabel!"

It felt like something had ripped through my chest. I turned my face away from him, swallowing my reply.

I pulled out my phone, opened the map, and searched for the nearest rest area. Then, I sent its name to Mom and Dad. I couldn't stand to be in that car for another minute.

Elias caught sight of me fiddling with my phone through the rearview mirror.

"Seriously, Renee?" His voice rose with irritation. "You're playing with your phone right now? Apologize to Isabel!"

"It's fine, Elias. Renee didn't do it on purpose," Isabel said, her voice heavy with tears.

"I'm not apologizing, Elias," I replied icily.

"Renee! Don't make me stop this car and toss you out on the highway," Elias threatened.

I met his eyes without flinching.

Walter interjected before the tension could escalate further, "Watch the road, Elias. You don't want to lose points on your license."

Only then did Elias rein in his anger. "Fine. But we're not done. I'll deal with you when we get home."

I looked away, closing my eyes as I forced back tears. Whatever feelings I had for Elias were wearing thin. My silence left the air heavy, and no one else knew how to break it.

After a while, Elias seemed to calm himself, his voice softening. "We're all friends here, Renee, and this trip is going to be a long one. Don't let a few heated words ruin the mood, alright? Show them my wife isn't unreasonable. Just say something to smooth things over, can you?"

When I didn't respond, he tried again, his tone almost pleading. "Come on, I'll buy you those sour gummies you like as soon as we stop at a rest area."

I scoffed and ignored him. His expression darkened with discomfort, and he stopped talking to me. The car sank back into another silence.

Half-asleep, I was jolted awake by the scent of cigarette smoke.

I bolted upright and demanded, "Who's smoking? Don't you realize I'm pregnant?"

The smoke curled up from the front seat.

"Renee, I asked Elias first, and he said it was fine," Isabel said. "I'm sorry. I'm feeling upset and couldn't help it. Please just bear with it for now, okay?"

Elias' voice came next. "You upset Isabel earlier, Renee, so you'll just have to deal with it."

Walter and Hubert rubbed their hands together and chimed in, "If that's the case, maybe we'll join in. We've been dying for a smoke."

I stared at them in disbelief, my voice trembling. "Is this what you all want for my baby, secondhand smoke?"

Walter blew out a puff of smoke. "It's just one cigarette, Renee. You're being way too dramatic."

He held out a cigarette to Elias. "You've been holding back long enough, haven't you? Come on, treat yourself."

Elias took it without a second thought. "One won't hurt."

"Elias!" I yelled. "Do you even freaking remember that it's your child I'm carrying?"

Elias froze, then handed the cigarette back. "Fine, I won't smoke. Hurry up and stub out all those cigarettes."

"Just let me finish this one, Elias," Isabel said, her voice syrupy and pleading.

"Sure, go ahead," he replied. "This is all on Renee, anyway."

"Then we might as well finish ours, too. We're almost done, after all," Hubert chimed in.

Elias glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "Open the window and let them finish, Renee. A little smoke isn't going to harm the baby."

A sharp pain twisted in my stomach as I looked at him in disbelief.

"What kind of father are you, Elias?" I cried out.

Isabel blew out a puff of smoke and agreed, "Elias is right, Renee. Don't they always say that a relaxed approach helps kids thrive? You should've had that mindset from the start of your pregnancy. Who knows, you might end up with a perfectly healthy kid."

The smoke was rising from all around, stinging my nose with its foul odor. The tight, suffocating space made it unbearable, and I couldn't hold it in any longer.

I pulled out a bag from my purse and threw up. The sound of my gagging and the stench of vomit made everyone's faces twist in horror.

"Ugh! Keep that away from me!" Walter shrieked.

"Yikes, that reeks. I'm going to hurl," Isabel groaned.

Elias' voice rose in panic. "Don't even think about puking in my car, Renee!"

But it was too late. Some of it splattered out of the bag despite my best efforts.

The violent heaving left tears streaming down my cheeks, but strangely, I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. I turned their stomachs and didn't have to fight the urge to throw up anymore.

After vomiting, I wiped my mouth with a tissue and rasped, "I told you I get morning sickness easily. Please bear with me."

Since we were on the highway, we couldn't leave the windows open for too long. The sharp, sour stench lingered in the car, making everyone look queasy—everyone but me.

I closed my eyes and somehow drifted into a deep sleep.

At last, we arrived at the rest area I'd been waiting for. Everyone rushed out of the car as fast as they could, Elias included. He wore a scowl the entire way and never showed any concern for me.

After pulling into a parking spot, he didn't even bother to check on me and just went off with them. He probably felt like I embarrassed him and just wanted to get away from me immediately.

I stared coldly at his back as he walked away. My mind flickered to the moment I first told him I was pregnant.

He'd been ecstatic, going above and beyond to look after me. But now, looking back, all of it felt like an act. I slowly stepped out of the car and made my way to the restroom to clean myself up.

When I emerged, I noticed them smoking at a distance. I kept myself hidden in the corner so I could hear what they were saying.

"I'm sorry you guys had to deal with Renee's disgusting act," Elias apologized.

Hubert grumbled, "Pregnant women are such a hassle. It's one thing to have a bad temper, but vomiting out of nowhere? That's just too much. You must have it tough, Elias."

Isabel exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "She's acting spoiled because you indulge her too much. You need to teach her a lesson, Elias. Don't let her push you around."

Elias gave a nod of agreement. "You're right. This is happening because I've been too lenient. But how exactly should I go about teaching her a lesson?"

"Before she returns, let's hop in the car and pretend to drive off. Make her panic a little. Then you can swoop in after she's crying and begging for you to return," Isabel suggested.

"Good idea. Come on, let's hurry back," Elias urged.

I watched them rush off and let out a derisive scoff. Did they honestly think I'd come crawling back to them? What a joke.

I hung around for a bit longer before heading toward the entrance. Once I saw they were gone, I hopped into Mom and Dad's car without a second thought.

"Ren, are you okay?" Mom asked the moment she saw me.

That simple question shattered the last of my walls. I crumpled into her arms, tears flowing uncontrollably as I let out everything that had happened.

Mom and Dad were heartbroken and couldn't stop cursing Elias.

"Mom, Dad, I've made up my mind. I'm divorcing Elias," I said.

"Good, we'll stand by you and raise the baby together."

But I shook my head. "I'm not keeping this baby. I don't want Elias' child."

They fell silent for a while before finally nodding. "Whatever you decide."

Maybe it was the stress getting to me, but as the car reached the tollbooth, a sharp pain shot through my belly. I felt a warm, wet sensation spreading beneath me.

"Mom, Dad! My stomach is killing me!" I cried out.

Before I could say another word, everything went black.

When I woke up, I was lying in a hospital bed.