Chapter 3

Before Kathleen left the studio, she printed out the divorce papers and took them home with her.

Just as she expected, Greg had gone to see Rita. Gilliam Mansion was quiet and empty without him. The antique bronze figurine he'd bought at auction sat alone in the foyer.

Andrew Percival, the butler, greeted her with a smile.

"Mr. Gilliam really put some thought into this. He knows how much you've been hoping for a baby, so he chose something so meaningful for you. Where would you like me to put it?"

Once, Kathleen would have smiled.

But now that she knew Greg had been hiding his child from her, she couldn't help wondering how long he had planned to keep it a secret. The gift suddenly felt painfully ironic.

As if on cue, the next time Kathleen checked her phone, the first post on her feed was a photo of Greg and Rita celebrating her birthday together.

Since going into business, Greg had become serious and reserved. But in Rita's photo, he was making a silly face at the camera, showing a childish side of himself.

They were holding Rita's child between them. The resemblance was impossible to miss. The child looked like a miniature version of Greg.

Even the birthday cake was a specialty from one of the Gilliam family's bakeries.

Rita hadn't exaggerated when she said she was getting the full Mrs. Gilliam treatment.

One of their former schoolmates had even left a comment under the photo.

"Mr. and Mrs. Gilliam look so in love. What a happy family!"

The comment disappeared almost immediately. Whoever posted it must have realized they had mistaken Rita for Kathleen.

Kathleen saw it all, her fingers tightening around the divorce papers until the pages crumpled in her hand. It felt as if a knife were twisting in her chest.

After she and Greg got married, Kathleen had loved sharing little pieces of their life together. She used to post photos of them on holidays, and their friends would always leave comments wishing them well.

Then Greg told her to stop. He said posts like that weren't good for his image.

But apparently, when Rita did it, he didn't mind.

Kathleen kept her eyes on the screen and noticed that Rita didn't reply to the comments individually. Instead, she posted one message for everyone.

"Thanks for all the sweet wishes. I saw them all. It's getting late, so we're heading to bed."

Kathleen knew she wouldn't need to make Greg anything for his hangover. He wasn't coming home tonight.

The next morning, Kathleen had barely managed to fall asleep when Greg yanked her out from under the covers. He was clearly furious, and his grip was tight enough to bring tears to her eyes.

"Kathleen, were you the one who leaked the photos and information about Rita's child? Do you have any idea how many business rivals I have? If people find out about Terry, he could be kidnapped.

"His life could be in danger! If you're mad at me, take it out on me. Why drag a little kid into this?"

Kathleen was too stunned to react. She said nothing.

A half-full glass of water had been left there overnight. Greg grabbed it and splashed the water in her face.

The cold water soaked into her clothes, making her shiver and jolting her fully awake.

"I didn't do it."

Greg had denied everything Rita said at the alumni get-together. Besides, Kathleen had only ever seen Terry Gilliam in photos on Rita's social media.

There was no way she could have been the one who leaked the information, but Greg was convinced she had done it.

"Rita said you're the only person who would do this to Terry just to get back at her! Why would anyone else do it?"

Greg had always been calm and careful. Whenever there was something he didn't want to admit, he made sure never to let anything slip.

But when it came to Rita, his self-control vanished. He had practically admitted the child existed. He had never been this impulsive before.

Kathleen pulled free of his grip and let out a bitter laugh. Her voice remained as calm as ever.

"So you're admitting the child in yesterday's photo is yours?"

Greg froze.

He had never planned to tell Kathleen about the child. But worrying about Terry had made him slip up, and he had already given himself away.

When he spoke again, his voice softened, sounding almost resigned.

"Rita bribed the doctor on the day she was supposed to have the abortion and hid the truth from me too. By the time I found out, it was already too late.

"Kathleen, Terry can't keep living somewhere with barely any security. I'm going to bring him home. You can raise him as your own. From now on, he'll be our child. You won't have to keep going back to the hospital anymore."

Kathleen felt cold all over.

She thought about all the IVF treatments she had gone through and every prayer she had said, all for the chance to have a child of their own.

And now, with just a few words, Greg had made all of it feel pointless.

She wanted to ask him what gave him the right. But she was leaving soon, so in the end, she said nothing.

After a long silence, Kathleen wiped the cold water from her face.

"Fine. But you owe me for this, so sign here," she said calmly.

The divorce papers were still crumpled from how tightly she had gripped them the night before. She kept the key wording covered as she handed them over, her fingers trembling slightly with nerves.

Greg took the pen and signed without even looking at the papers.

Then he pulled her into his arms. "Go buy yourself whatever you want. I'm sorry, Kathleen. I know this hasn't been easy on you."

The moment he held her, Kathleen smelled Rita's favorite perfume on him. It was the fragrance she hated most. She closed her eyes and forced herself not to think about it.

She would be gone soon anyway.