Chapter 2

Setting a unique ringtone for someone was a way of expressing love. I knew that, but I had long since learned not to care.

I tactfully turned away, fiddling with the necklace in my hands. My fingers ran over the cold diamonds as I calculated their market value in my head.

Willow's soft, delicate voice trickled faintly through the receiver. "Yale, I'm pregnant."

Yale froze for a brief second before the shock in his eyes was swept away by pure, overwhelming joy. He said into the phone, "Stay at the hospital. Don't go anywhere. I'll be there to pick you up!"

After hanging up, he turned around and met my gaze.

"Willow is pregnant…" he said, his voice laced with mixed emotions.

"Congratulations," I said simultaneously, a genuine smile spreading across my face.

I meant every word of it. The fact that Willow was carrying his baby was actually a good thing for me. Yale might be more lenient with me because of the baby. That would give me plenty of time to plan my exit.

But Yale's expression suddenly darkened, and he said coldly, "I don't care what games you're playing. Now that Willow is pregnant, you'd better behave yourself."

With that, he got into his car and drove off.

I watched him leave in total confusion, trying to make sense of his parting words.

Was he reminding me that our marriage was nothing more than a formality, so that now that Willow was pregnant, I shouldn't hold onto any illusions? Or was he hinting that our marriage was about to end all over again?

I looked down at the necklace in my hands. The diamonds sparkled brilliantly under the lights, but my heart remained utterly calm. Whatever he meant didn't matter—this necklace was the only thing that was real.

Satisfied, I tucked the necklace safely away, grabbed my bag, and took a cab home.

Once I sold the necklace and added it to the money I'd already saved, I should have enough to buy that guesthouse in Duston.

With that thought in mind, I pulled out my phone and called the owner of the guesthouse, Aaron Lane, again.

"Mr. Lane, make sure to keep the place for me, alright? I've saved up enough money. As soon as I wrap things up on my end, I'll head right over."

…

The news of Willow's pregnancy spread like wildfire to the rest of the Gibson family.

For generations, the Gibsons had only ever produced a single son in each generation. That was why Yale's mother, Chloe Aston, had been longing for a grandson for years.

Hearing that Willow was pregnant sent her over the moon. She immediately arranged a family dinner for that very night and repeatedly urged Yale to bring Willow home with him.

Yale rarely brought me back to the Gibson residence, but this time, he asked me to come along.

In the past, I would have refused. After all, none of the Gibsons ever liked me.

To them, a small-town girl with humble roots was completely beneath someone of Yale's status. Chloe, in particular, had treated me as a stain on Yale's life right from the start, making things difficult for me at every turn.

Willow was different. Though she was a celebrity, she came from a prominent family, making her a perfect match for Yale in terms of social standing. She was exactly the kind of daughter-in-law Chloe had always wanted.

Naturally, Chloe was overjoyed about Willow's pregnancy.

That was why, when Yale asked me to attend, I nodded obediently. "Alright."

By the time my car pulled into the courtyard of the Gibson residence, dusk had already settled in.

When I arrived, Yale and Willow were already there.

The Gibsons surrounded Willow, showering her with attention. Dressed in a flowy dress, she gently rested a hand over her lower belly. Her face was filled with shy pride, and she carried herself like the lady of the house.

Chloe took out an antique bracelet and slid it onto Willow's wrist.

"Willow, my dear, this is the Gibson family heirloom. It's meant for our daughter-in-law, and now I'm giving it to you. May it keep our little one safe and sound."

Chloe's face beamed with joy, but her smile vanished the moment she caught sight of me.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped, her voice dripping with disgust, as if she couldn't wait to throw me out.

A glint of provocation flashed in Willow's eyes as she leaned even closer to Yale.

Yet, I acted as if I hadn't noticed their hostility at all, keeping a calm, composed smile on my face.