I read everything anyway. Kayla was a coworker, and she was also pregnant, due six weeks after me. Derek had been seeing her for most of a year. He had given my maternity clothes to Brooke, who sold them and passed the money to Derek, and he used it to buy Kayla a crib and baby supplies. Brooke had known all along, and she had agreed because Derek promised to help with her rent.
Diane explained that Brooke came to her in tears after the dusty-rose dress sold. Brooke admitted she was ashamed and could no longer lie to my face. Diane handed me the bank statements, which showed Derek had also moved four thousand dollars from our joint savings. She told Derek calmly that she loved him, but she would not protect him. Derek sat down hard and covered his face, unable to speak.
I did not scream. I took the folder, the phone, and the screenshots, and I called my sister. She drove over within the hour and helped me pack for the hospital bag and two suitcases. Diane insisted on paying for my first month of an apartment deposit. Brooke arrived later and returned every unsold garment, along with the money she still had, crying the entire time.
Ivy was born four weeks later, healthy and loud. I filed for divorce, and a lawyer used the bank records to recover the savings and secure child support. Derek eventually apologized in writing, and I read it once. Diane visits every Sunday, and Brooke has begun rebuilding my trust slowly. I wore the dusty-rose dress to a photo session anyway, a new one Diane bought me, holding my daughter.