Chapter 3

When it came to kids, I knew it had always been a sore spot for Julia.

Because of my health, we'd never been able to have children. It was something I'd always felt guilty about.

But Julia would just reassure me, saying that as long as I was okay, nothing else mattered.

Thinking back on that now, a bitter smile tugged at my lips.

I was about to speak when Ken cut in, smoothly sliding between Julia and the crowd of well-wishers. He positioned himself firmly in front of her, shielding her with his body.

He flashed a polite smile at the guests and announced, "Sorry, everyone—Julia's pregnant. She can't drink."

His gaze flicked casually in my direction, but it hit me like a punch to the chest.

My eyes went wide. My pupils shook violently.

When Julia met my gaze, a flash of discomfort crossed her face. Then her pleasant voice rang out beside me.

"Yes. Two months along."

The congratulations that followed cut through me like a blade, each one slicing deeper into my chest.

My whole body went cold.

The doctors had told me I couldn't handle strenuous activity. That meant Julia and I were never going to have a child together.

So this was her big surprise.

…

Ken ended up taking every drink meant for Julia.

People started warming up to him. Little by little, I was forgotten, left to fade into the corner.

Once the crowd thinned out, Ken turned to me with open contempt.

"Harry, I don't know what Julia has had to put up with being married to you. You're a man—can't you protect her out in the world?

"She's pregnant. She can't touch a drop of alcohol. Can you even take a drink for her? You look like you're half-dead as it is—"

I let his words wash over me, barely hearing them. My eyes were fixed on Julia—the woman I'd loved for ten years.

"The baby is Ken's, isn't it?"

I realized my voice was trembling, barely holding together.

Julia, already on edge, got defensive at my question. She clicked her tongue in annoyance and pressed herself closer to Ken.

"Harry, I just want a child. Is that so wrong?

"Ten years of marriage—all I've done is work and drag you from doctor to doctor. And besides, this baby will call you 'Dad.' You'll be his only father.

"Why do you have to make such a big deal out of it?"

I couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth.

Ken, for his part, played the magnanimous one. He placed his hand over Julia's belly.

"Whatever Julia decides, I'm behind it a hundred percent. And sure, the child has my blood, but I'm not that petty. I can share.

"Harry, Julia hasn't told you yet, has she? She transferred your shares in the firm over to me."

That nearly broke me. My heart slammed against my ribs, each breath a stab of pain.

I'd poured my soul into building Julia's firm. It was the one thing that had held the ten years of our marriage together.

Every day, even when I coughed up blood from exhaustion, I'd pushed forward, dreaming of the day the firm would go public.

Julia had promised me that when I got better, I could come back anytime. My place would always be waiting. No one could take it.

And now? She'd given my shares to Ken. She was having his baby.

I had nothing left.

Julia offered no explanation. She just couldn't meet my eyes.

"Ken has put in a lot of work too. He's been by my side as my assistant since the early days. He knows the firm inside and out.

"Harry, you're running out of time. I can't leave the firm in your hands."

With a few casual sentences, she erased ten years of my life's work.

I let out a bitter laugh.