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Joyce sighed. “You know, I was pregnant once. A long time ago.”

Laura said nothing. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything past the dread swelling in her chest.

“I hadn’t told Simon yet.” Joyce cast her eyes to the side. “It wasn’t his baby, but I’d hoped we could raise it as our own. He always wanted children.”

“Why are you here?” Laura finally managed the question.

Joyce ignored her. “After the miscarriage, I had a D&C. It can be a type of abortion, but sometimes expectant mothers need to have them done when tissue remains. I bled a lot afterwards. Too much.”

Joyce shook her head. Her voice was quieter as she continued. “Whatever happened to induce the miscarriage, and to treat it afterwards, caused permanent damage. The doctors told me I couldn’t have children after that.”

“I’m sorry.” Laura didn’t know what else to say.

Joyce stared off into the distance. Laura noticed a missing button from her silk blouse. Underneath, Joyce’s beige bra peeked through the gap. A small brown stain discolored the fabric just above where it tucked into her pencil skirt, as though Joyce had spilled coffee and never cleaned it.

“Simon thought I didn’t want children. I never told him the truth.”

“You could still tell him,” Laura offered. She didn’t know why she was trying to help this woman.

Joyce shook her head. “No, no. That’s all in the past. We need to think about the future! Obviously you’ll move in with me. I have all that room and no one to share it with.”

She looked pointedly at Laura’s swelling stomach.

Laura swallowed.

“I was thinking ‘Joyce’ would be a lovely name,” Joyce said. “And she could call me Auntie, when she’s able to.”

Laura started to say something, but the words caught in her throat.

“Don’t worry. I’ll teach her everything I know.” Joyce smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

THE END

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to the excellent team at Bloodhound Books for bringing this book into the world. Many thanks go again to Ian Skewis for his skills as an editor.

Thank you to all my writing friends, but especially Brian Centrone. We’ll do that romance novel one day!

Thank you to Katrina Kasper and Robina Rader for not only being my friends, but for agreeing to beta-read The Killing Kind (both did it in record time!). This novel is so much better thanks to your keen eyes and thoughtful feedback.

Thank you to my beloved friend, Jennifer Crissman-Ishler, for being my work wife and emotional support person through everything.

Thank you to Dr. Sharon Stringer, my developmental psychology professor at Youngstown State University. I try to emulate your kindness, empathy, and passion for the field every day I am in the classroom.

Thank you to my students, who give me courage to look towards the future. Being with you all, I know the world is in good hands.

Thank you to my mom for everything she does. My first reader, my cheerleader, support system, and my friend.

Thank you to my brothers, Jacob and Ben, who are wonderful human beings.

Thank you to my late father, Stephen. He was the best dad any child could ask for.

Thank you to my children for being who they are and seeking out adventures in the world.

Finally, thank you to my husband, Joshua. Everything is better with you by my side.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah K. Stephens is the author of six novels and a developmental psychologist at Penn State University. Her writing has appeared in LitHub, The Writer's Chronicle, Hazlitt, and The Millions. Aside from The Good Life, her books include the psychological thrillers A Flash of Red, It Was Always You, The Anniversary, Isolation, and The Good Life. Sarah lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania.

Follow Sarah on Twitter (@skstephenswrite), Instagram (@skstephenswrite), or Facebook (@sarahkstephensauthor) and read more of her writing on her website (www.sarahkstephens.com).