Replacement

Renee's POV

Linda leaned in and whispered something in Draven’s ear. His arms slid under her knees and back in one smooth motion, lifting her princess-style. She looped her arms around his neck with a soft laugh as he carried her up the stairs.

I trailed behind, each step heavier than the last, my heart sinking like lead.

He eased her onto the guest room bed. With gentle fingers, he brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She winced, hand fluttering to her leg.

Draven’s gaze followed instantly. He knelt, cradling her ankle with careful hands, watching her face for every flicker of pain as he probed from knee to ankle. She hissed softly; he murmured an apology and kept rubbing slow circles over the spot.

“What’s wrong?” I stepped forward from the doorway, I might as well have been invisible until now.

Draven didn’t look up. “She twisted her ankle. I’m checking if it’s bad.”

“You’re not a doctor. How would you know?” I moved closer. “Let me. I studied sports rehabilitation in college. The way you’re pressing could cause clotting and swelling. I know how to check properly.”

He paused, finally glancing at me, cold, assessing then released her leg.

“I’m just going to take a look,” I told Linda gently.

She gasped, eyes wide with fear.

I crouched, running light fingers over both ankles. No heat. No swelling. Not even a faint bruise or scratch.

“There’s no swelling…” I looked up at Linda. Her expression had shifted to anxious.

“Argh!” She cried out suddenly, clutching her leg. “It hurts so much!”

“Get away from her.” Draven yanked me back by the arm, hard enough to make me stumble. He dropped to her side again, rubbing her leg. “This isn’t the time to prove a point, Renee. You’re only hurting her more.” His voice darkened, edged with disgust.

The words sliced deep. I backed away, chest tight, throat burning.

I retreated to our bedroom alone. I told myself I’d wait up, talk to him when he came back. But exhaustion, maybe the pregnancy, maybe just everything pulled me under.

When I woke, sunlight streamed through the curtains. I reached across the bed: cold sheets. Draven hadn’t come back last night.

Panic fluttered in my chest. I hurried downstairs.

He stood at the dining table, already in his suit, stirring coffee.

“Draven?”

“Hey.” He gestured to a plate: two club sandwiches, a cup of tea. “I made you breakfast.”

“Oh.” The knot in my chest loosened, just a fraction. “What happened last night? You didn’t come to bed.”

He paused mid-sip. “I stayed with Linda until midnight to make sure she was okay. Didn’t want to wake you by coming in late, so I crashed on the sofa.”

Guilt crept in. “Still… you could’ve told me. I waited.”

“Next time.” He set the cup down. “Eat. We’ll be late for work.”

He headed upstairs. I stared at the food, a small, hopeful smile tugging at my lips. Maybe things weren’t as bad as they seemed.

I ate quickly, dressed, and headed to the car. Draven was already behind the wheel, eyes on his iPad.

I reached for the front passenger door but Linda got there first.

She was dressed for the office, hair perfect, and a bright smile.

“What…?”

“Oh, sister-in-law,” she giggled, sliding in. “We forgot to mention, I’m starting at the company today. Gaining some work experience. I’ll come to you for guidance, okay?”

I froze, glancing between them. Draven didn’t look up from his screen.

“I’m so used to sitting next to my brother when he drives,” Linda added sweetly.

“Why make a big deal out of a seat?” Draven snapped. “We’re running late.”

Swallowing everything, I climbed into the back.

They chatted the whole drive, easy, warm. Draven’s smile flashed wide, teeth showing. I couldn’t remember the last time he’d smiled like that at me.

“I should touch up my makeup,” Linda said, opening the glove compartment like she owned it. She pulled out a compact mirror.

My brows furrowed. How did she know that was there?

She applied lipstick casually. “Careful, Draven, you made me smudge it.”

She opened the center console, grabbed a pack of wipes, again, without hesitation and dabbed her lip.

My heart clenched. How did she know exactly where everything was? I’d never even noticed those things in his car.

I looked away, forcing calm. But the thoughts wouldn’t stop: another woman knew my husband’s space better than I did.

At the company gates, I got out early, Draven’s rule, to avoid rumors about us arriving together.

My desk was buried in files and complaints. I rubbed my temples. “Okay, we’ll start with the Cardial project. Once that’s wrapped….”

“Um…” My secretary hesitated, teeth worrying her lip. “Ma’am, the project’s been reassigned to a new manager.”

“What?” I straightened. “Who?”

Before she could answer, the door opened.

Draven walked in, Linda at his side, their hands casually linked, fingers intertwined like it was the most natural thing in the world.

He met my eyes, expression blank.

And in that moment, everything clicked into place: the necklace, the ankle, the car, the smiles, the reassigned project.

My stomach dropped.

He wasn’t just favoring her.

He was replacing me with her.