Chapter 2

Dominic took the thermos from my hands and pressed his lips to my forehead. A gesture that usually felt warm and tender now rang completely hollow.

When Noreen saw me, she clasped my hand and launched into her usual barrage. "Val, when are you two planning on having kids? When I was your age, Dominic was already in elementary school."

I poured the broth from the thermos and handed her the bowl, hesitating over whether I should tell her I was already pregnant.

But Dominic spoke before I could. "Mom, stop pressuring Val. We have our own plans. If you want to be around a kid, you can always spend time with Jenny."

Jenny Summer was Katherine's daughter. Katherine was supposedly bringing her home for Christmas.

At the mention of her name, Noreen's smile froze. She took a sip of broth and stayed silent.

I shoved aside the thought of telling them I was pregnant and used the excuse of going to the restroom to slip away.

…

I stepped out of the stall to wash my hands when Lucy suddenly appeared, wearing a cold, mocking smile.

"I saw someone lingering outside the room earlier. I knew it had to be you, eavesdropping! Now you finally see it, don't you? Nick doesn't love you at all. That must feel so humiliating, Valerie. If I were you, I'd leave this family before it's too late!"

The cold water bit at my skin, but it was nothing compared to the icy grip tightening around my heart.

I remembered how, when Dominic rescued me, he hadn't cared that I had lost a hand. He had knelt before me, right in front of Noreen, and insisted on marrying me despite the immense pressure.

And for seven years after we wed, he treated me with meticulous care.

No matter how late work kept him, he still came home for dinner. Every share in his factory was in my name. He didn't even want children, fearing the pain childbirth might bring me.

Everyone claimed Dominic loved me, that he was the best man alive.

But the truth was cruel. He only ever loved his so-called sister, Katherine. He made me live a lie, reducing me to a mere joke for the Frizzells.

Lucy leaned close, her taunts relentless. "Valerie, are you deaf? Can't you hear me?"

I shook the water from my hands, refusing to rise to her bait. I had made up my mind. I was leaving Dominic.

Seeing me ignore her, Lucy grew furious. Her voice rose in anger. "Just you wait, Valerie! Kat's coming back soon. When that happens, Nick will throw you out for good!"

…

When I stepped out of the hospital, Dominic was already waiting at the entrance, ready to drive me home.

"Kat and Jenny are coming back tomorrow. Why don’t we pick out a small gift to welcome them back?" he asked casually when we passed the department store. It was as if the thought had just crossed his mind.

However, I caught the flicker of joy in his eyes and felt a sharp pang of irony twist in my chest. I pressed my lips together to hold back the sting threatening to rise, stared out the window, and nodded.

After he parked the car, Dominic led me straight into the jewelry store.

A sales associate greeted us warmly and began showing me the latest gold rings. "Ma'am, this is our latest couple's collection, they’re designed for couples like you!"

She reached to let me try one on, then froze when she noticed the severe, irreversible damage to my hand.

Her smile turned awkward, and she quickly shifted the subject. "Of course, we also have plenty of new necklaces…"

I wasn't interested in any of it, so I waved her off.

I followed Dominic, keeping my eyes on him as he browsed.

Before long, Mr. Felton, the bank manager, spotted him and came over to greet him.

"Dominic, I heard from Callum that you haven't been wiring money to that account in Belcaster this month. Is it because your sweetheart is coming back? When are you going to introduce her to me?"