Chapter 3

While I was in the hospital for those few days, my best friend, Tonya Lindstrom, came to see me. When she found out that Beck had deliberately set me up and caused my miscarriage, her fury blazed like wildfire. She unleashed a torrent of oaths, cursing his entire family.

She asked, "Do you want me to rough him up before you walk away for good?"

"No," I replied. "Bruises fade. I want him to live with this!"

"The worst punishment is to take everything from a man the moment he thinks he's untouchable," Tonya advised. She continued, "You'll return the day after tomorrow and reveal your scars. Make sure he feels every bit of guilt and regret. Help him choose his suits, plan the wedding, and send out the invitations.

"In short, give him the perfect wedding he's been hoping for. Then, on the day itself, walk away and throw the recording in his face. I guarantee that it will destroy him."

I followed Tonya's advice and agreed to Beck's sudden request to move the wedding up. I spent the whole day by his side, navigating every street and alley of Anderville.

He said, "Babe, it's just a suit. They all look the same. I've already tried on more than 20. Can't we just pick one and—"

"No way." I cut him off, slipping a white custom suit with diamond-encrusted cufflinks into his hands.

I looked up at him, my eyes full of affection. "I love you, and I want to show the whole world just how much you mean to me. I want everyone to know my groom is truly one of a kind—someone worthy of nothing but the very best."

Beck's ears flushed bright red. He wrapped his arms around my waist and nuzzled his head into the hollow of my neck.

"Babe… What's with the sudden confession? It's cheesy, but honestly, I kind of like it."

I smiled before gently prying his hands apart. With a few casual words, I nudged him toward the fitting room.

A minute later, he stepped out wearing the suit.

White was traditionally associated with purity and innocence. But on a hypocrite like him, it was nothing less than sarcasm.

Still, I was too worn out to even care. After a full day of pretending to be the doting bride-to-be, all I wanted was to go home and rest.

Swallowing my disgust, I forced out a few empty compliments and let him cover the bill.

…

Night settled in.

After his shower, Beck slipped under the covers and pulled me close. His fingers traced the edge of my nightgown, slowly undoing the buttons.

"Babe," he whispered, "let's make a baby."

His words struck me like lightning.

I threw off the covers and bolted to the bathroom, retching violently over the sink.

When I finally rinsed my mouth and looked up, Beck was standing at the door, clutching a pregnancy test. He offered it to me, his eyes full of hope. "Babe... Do you think you might already be preg—"

"No way." I cut him off, my voice cold and sharp.

The mere mention of pregnancy brought back the memory of the baby I lost, a casualty of Beck's bitter jealousy.

Beneath my calm exterior, anger, guilt, and sorrow twisted like a storm ready to break. My sudden coldness and resistance left Beck frozen in place. His expression shifted, darkening noticeably.

Without saying a single word, I brushed past him and slid back under the covers.

Minutes later, he seemed to have composed himself. He returned and wrapped his arms around me once more.

"Babe, I'm not trying to rush you into having a child. It's just… watching you endure all those fertility treatments made me worried. If you're pregnant, maybe it could bring you some relief."

Before I could answer, a message notification shattered the moment.

Beck glanced at his phone and swallowed hard. He said, "Babe, there's an emergency at work. You should get some rest. Don't wait up for me."

With that, he quickly slipped on a shirt. After throwing on a pink tie, he hurried out the door.

Something didn't feel right. Without a second thought, I jumped into a taxi and followed him at a distance.

About two miles later, he stopped at a gated community.

As soon as Beck stepped out, a woman dressed as a bunny girl ran straight into his arms.

I stood frozen as I watched them kiss passionately. Beck tore off his pink tie and looped it around the woman's wrists, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he pulled her inside.

The nausea I had barely held at bay surged back with full force. I stumbled toward a tree and leaned against the trunk, my stomach twisting like I might be sick all over again.

Tears welled up, blurring everything into a watery haze.

The suffocating midsummer heat clung to my skin, yet a cold shiver ran down my spine, chilling me to the core.

"Oh, Maren… Is this the 'perfect ending' you believed in?" I whispered to myself.

My heart broke into pieces. Perhaps the past ten years of care, loyalty, and love were nothing but a well-polished lie.