There’s a soft rapping on my bedroom door. It’s late afternoon—unless something is really wrong, it won’t be Andrew on the other side. He’s been spending far too much time working these days—he says it’s because he’s preparing to take time off when the baby arrives, but I somehow doubt he’ll be able to keep himself away from his desk even after the birth of our child.

The door opens a crack, and Elle peers inside, giving me a small smile. “Can I come in?”

I sit up as much as I’m allowed, waving her inside.

“Don’t…you don’t have to get up for me.”

“Well, considering I’ve been pretty much chained to this bed for the past six months, it would be a welcome reprieve.”

She gives me a tight-lipped smile, and I can see something is wrong. Elle hasn’t been by to visit much in the past few months. I’ve told myself it’s because of her baby—she and Leo have been really wrapped up in Matthew since he was born. Not that I blame her at all—I hope to be equally preoccupied myself in a few weeks.

“Where’s Matthew?” I smile, trying to at least encourage some conversation.

“He’s…” She frowns. “He’s with Leo. Father-son time. I never thought it would be possible, but Leo loves it.” She’s still frowning, her expression not matching her happy words.

“Is something wrong?” I turn myself in bed to face her, motioning for her to take the chair next to the bed.

She lifts a brow, eyeing me carefully for a moment before she comes over to sit beside me.

Elle and I know each other well enough for me to see that something is going on. “What is it?”

“Can you…?” She lets out a long breath. “Can you tell Andrew to back off?”

“Back off?” I’m sure she can see the confusion on my face.

“Yeah. About the whole heir thing.” She shakes her head. “Leo took it pretty hard, you know. He doesn’t need to keep having his nose rubbed in it.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

She stares at me for a moment. “He hasn’t told you?”

“Told me what?” I lift myself onto my arm to be able to look at her more fully. “What heir thing?”

She narrows her gaze at me for a moment, as if she’s trying to decide if I’m telling her the truth. “Way back when you announced your pregnancy—when Andrew talked to Leo about it—”

“He did that without telling me, Elle. I asked him to keep it between the two of us until we knew for sure what was going on.” I shake my head. “But he insisted that his family needed to know immediately.”

She lets out a long breath. “Yeah, I can see that. But his way of…announcing…” She shakes her head again. “He basically told Leo that Matthew was out as heir. I mean…” She shrugs. “It isn’t like it’s a huge deal to me. But Leo… The idea had kind of grown on him, you know? Like he finally had a place in the family. An important place. Like he was seen as something more than the spare heir.” She looks at me for another long moment. “It hurt him. He…we both have kind of kept our distance. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled for you.” She motions at me with her hands.

I feel like I’ve been stabbed in the heart, and I can’t seem to find the right words.

“I really am,” she continues. “But Andrew needs to lay off. We get it, okay? Matthew loses his place in line the day your baby is born.” Her eyes fill with tears. “Not that it’s a big deal or anything. I mean, it wouldn’t have been. But…I guess the idea had grown on us. That Matthew is the heir…was the heir. But now…” She throws her hands up, shrugging. “Now, who the hell knows?”

My mouth is hanging open, and I still can’t think of what I should say. I never really thought about the effect my having a child would have on Elle and Leo—or on Matthew.

“I…” I shake my head, my own eyes beginning to tear up. “I had no idea you felt that way, Elle. I really didn’t. I thought… I mean, I guess I assumed you’d be okay with the news. I mean…I’m sorry. I really am.”

“Right.” She forces a smile through her tears. “Whatever. I’m just asking you… I mean, if you could tell Andrew to knock it off, that would be great.” She stands, rushing to the door. She turns to me with her hand still on the doorknob. “I guess… I think I never really congratulated you.” She gives me another weak, forced smile. “So congratulations.”

My bottom lip trembles as she turns and leaves without giving me a chance to respond.

I get it now—what Andrew meant when we found out we were having a baby. Everything has changed. And not necessarily for the better.