Chapter 3

Solene's eyes snapped open, but a sharp pain tore through her head, making her shut them once more.

It'd been three days since Thanksgiving, and three days since she was shipped into the guest room like some insignificant inconvenience. Breathing in the house had become a chore.

Lewis never let her work after marriage. So she was around all day, watching Lewis wrap Nyla so closely in his arms while her giggles fluttered and echoed through the house.

It was like Solene wasn't even there. Like she never existed. And no one even bothered looking her way when she was close by. Not even the maids.

She let out a sigh and pushed herself off the bed, wincing as pain flared through her head and neck.

She didn't cry anymore after that day—there was no point. But she couldn't deny how much she felt like screaming her lungs out. Just to let out the fire burning through her veins.

Her hand dragged along the bed as she stood, knocking over a stapled piece of paper. She picked it up and stared at it.

It was the form she'd gotten from the hospital the previous day.

“Do it this way. Or he might not sign it." Linda's words echoed in her head.

She'd spent all night thinking about what she wanted to do, and when she'd finally decided an hour before sunrise, she'd let her eyes close.

With one light push, she opened the door quietly and walked towards the stairs, the smell of pancakes floating into her nose.

“Oh no. Don't do that!" Nyla shrieked, breaking into laughter as Lewis reached into her plate with a fork, scooping the last slice into his mouth.

He let out a muffled laugh, seeing the look on her face.

Clarissa, who was also at the table stirring her tea, shook her head slowly.

“You shouldn't bully Nyla like that. She is eating for two."

A sound echoed in Solene's chest—the sound of her heart emptying out.

They look like such a happy family. And she? And outsider—a spectator watching from a crowd.

She clutched the paper in her hand as Nyla grumbled like an overgrown baby.

Lewis swallowed the last bite and pulled Nyla close, “Alright, I'm sorry."

"You always do this.” She whined. "Now what will our baby eat?”

"Oh, come on. You had like six already.”

But Nyla threw her face away and pouted. "You have to apologize properly.”

Lewis raised a brow, and then smiled, giving up. He bent towards her tummy even though it was as flat as a stomach could be.

He caressed it and whispered. “I'm sorry, baby. Daddy won't do that again."

Bile rose in Solene's throat, disgust replacing every feeling in her body.

“Oh, get off,” Nyla said, pushing him away from her tummy.

Their laughter bounced off the walls, mocking Solene that she'd once imagined this kind of setting where her uterus would finally carry a child, Lewis would look at her the way he used to once more.

And his Mom…well, she'd act like the mom Solene never had, look at her like she belonged.

But all that was blown away by the wind, and she was now another item in the house.

She took another step down.

They turned, pausing every activity that was going on.

Then their smiles dropped, and they turned away from her like she was just a stain on the wall.

But Solene didn't care. She'd spent the entire night practicing for this scene.

“Look at the time, Lewis. You don't want to be late for your big showcase.” Clarissa said, taking a bite of the pancake.

Nyla slipped her fingers into his dark hair. "That's right. Daddy is going to be there. You don't want to disappoint him, do you?”

Solene got down the rest of the stairs, the papers still clutched tightly in her hand as she approached the table.

Lewis took a quick glance at Solene, then back to Nyla. “You know you're going with me, right?"

“Of course. Who else would go with you?" She said proudly, standing from her seat. "My dress appointment is in ten minutes. I'll meet you at the hall."

"Oh no, no,” Lewis stopped her, standing. "I have time. I'll go with you.”

Red rushed to Nyla's cheeks, and she flashed her smile in Solene's direction. "That's so thoughtful of you. Here I was thinking I'd spend your money in your absence.”

Clarissa chuckled, but still kept her eyes on her food.

Anyone could tell she was elated.

Lewis just pulled Nyla by the waist and kissed her temple. “Let's go."

"Lewis," Solene called, before she could stop herself.

All eyes snapped to her once more, but then they turned away uninterestedly.

“What?" he replied calmly.

“I want to talk to you."

Clarissa sighed dramatically. "Oh God. There goes my breakfast.” She dropped her fork noisily, pushed the plate away and stood. “Lewis, Nyla. I'll see you both at the showcase."

Solene watched her sashay away with her shoulders high and sighed in relief.

Since Nyla came, that was the first time Solene saw her walk out the door.

“You're going to have to speak now, Solene. I don't have time."

Solene almost laughed.

Instead, she kept her face straight and walked towards him with the papers. "There's a form you need to sign.” She placed them on the table.

Lewis's eyes followed the paper, reading the heading with the hospital's logo on it.

Nyla crinkled her nose in disgust and eyed Solene. Then she kissed Lewis on the cheek. “I'll be in the car."

“What is this?" he asked, reluctantly letting go of Nyla, glancing at the front page. “I hope you're not planning to do something stupid."

Solene held her breath. ‘Like you care,’ she thought, sliding a pen towards him.

His phone buzzed in his pocket as he picked up the pen. He pulled the phone out and pressed it to his ear.

“Yes?" He paused, a frown forming on his brows. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Solene's heart slammed against her chest, but she remained calm and just watched.

“Don't tell me that bullshit. What do you mean Miss A has not arrived?" He picked up the pen and skipped to the page that needed his signature. Then hurriedly signed it, tossing the pen across the table.

Solene let out a shaky breath as Lewis walked towards the door. Then gently, she reached for papers on the table and flipped to the place Lewis had absent mindedly signed.

There was no going back now.

The door banged shut, rattling the house. And Solene shut her eyes, sucking in the pain.

She knew the “big” showcase they were talking about. It was the biggest Lewis had ever hosted, and it was one that would make his name bigger than it already was.

But by the time Lewis realized what he'd just done, she would already be gone.