Amelia's body felt cold, her heart racing as she tried to comprehend Nick's accusation. His words had struck a nerve, twisting deep within her. He had questioned her love, and it felt almost unbearable.
She forced herself to breathe, squaring her shoulders, the words tearing out of her. "I love you, Nick! God knows how much I love you," she nearly shouted, her voice breaking as her fingers pressed to her temples. "But Maddie can't wait, Nick. You can't even argue this. It's basic—this is our child's life we're talking about. Do I really need to explain that to you?"
Nick's face flushed red, his hands balling into fists at his sides. His voice wavered with a tension that was barely contained.
"Amy, I'm fighting for Maddie too. Damn it, I want to save her just as much as you do!" His voice lowered, tinged with an exhaustion that hadn't been there before. "But I can't sacrifice what we have for it. I can't throw away our marriage—I can't make that choice."