Reborn from heartbreak; Soraya's story.

Three years of trying, of disappointments, of Reid saying maybe we should give up. But here I was, carrying his baby.

I couldn't stop smiling as I made my way through Marissa's building. The pregnancy test this morning had finally shown two pink lines – after all this time, all the heartache. Reid would be so happy. We'd finally have the family we'd dreamed of.

"Mrs. Flair," the doorman nodded as I passed. Even after all these years together, hearing Reid's last name still gave me butterflies.

The elevator ride to the penthouse felt endless. I kept touching my still-flat stomach, imagining how Reid would react when I told him at dinner tonight. And Marissa – God, she'd probably cry happy tears. She'd been rooting for us to have a baby almost as much as we were.

I practically bounced out of the elevator, clutching the bottle of champagne I'd brought to celebrate her new estate purchase. But when I reached her door, something felt off. It was cracked open, just slightly.

"Marissa?" I called out, pushing it wider. "Your door's open!"

No answer.

That's when I heard it. A whimper. Then what sounded like someone in pain.

"Mari?" My heart started racing. Was someone hurting her? I fumbled for my phone, ready to call Reid first – he'd know what to do. But as I dialed his number, I heard it again.

A cry that sounded like distress.

I pressed call and started moving toward the stairs, following the sounds. Reid's phone rang once, twice...

Then I heard his ringtone coming from upstairs.

I froze on the stairs, my phone still pressed to my ear. That was definitely Reid's ringtone – the same stupid song he'd had for years. But what would he be doing here?

The call went to voicemail just as I heard Marissa's voice, clearer now.

"Why's she calling now? She's so overbearing."

My blood went cold. She was talking about me.

"Seriously," came a male voice in response. Reid's voice. "Can't even enjoy an afternoon without her checking up on me."

I pressed myself against the wall, my hands shaking. This couldn't be happening. Reid was supposed to be at work. He'd kissed me goodbye this morning, told me he had back-to-back meetings all day.

"She probably wants to tell you about some stupid thing she bought," Marissa laughed. "God, I can't wait until we don't have to pretend anymore."

"Soon," Reid said, his voice getting closer to the door. "The plan's already in motion. The papers are almost ready. A few more doctor visits, some episodes, and we can have her committed."

"And then?" Marissa asked.

"Then accidents happen in those places. Tragic, really. And as her devoted husband, I'll inherit everything her father left her."

They were talking about killing me.

My legs felt like water. I wanted to run, to scream, to wake up from this nightmare. But I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.

"We're having a baby," Marissa said suddenly, her voice