Chapter 4

Tomorrow was the day I would leave New York.

I'd barely eaten any dinner before heading upstairs to rest.

Jason noticed my poor appetite and grew concerned, so he came up to check on me.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"I'm fine."

I was looking through the information on my phone about my upcoming position. When I heard his voice, I quickly switched screens.

Unfortunately, I switched to a maternity website instead.

"Are you sure?" Jason asked, his face full of concern. "You don't look well."

The pregnancy symptoms had indeed left me looking rather pale and exhausted.

But the thought of leaving filled me with an indescribable sense of relief.

I shook my head.

"I'm fine."

Jason noticed the page on my phone, and a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes.

"Are you upset about not having a baby? Don't worry. We'll have another chance."

I nodded.

"Okay."

Jason sat on the bed and drew me into his arms. Then he opened some pictures of his orders and showed them to me.

"Look. I've ordered two sets of engagement outfits for us. Do you like them?"

I glanced at the pictures and nodded expressionlessly.

Jason didn't notice my lack of interest. He was too caught up in his own excitement.

"I've arranged the whole trip, too. First, we'll go skiing in the Alps. Then we'll celebrate our special day on the mountain, and in the evening, we'll watch a concert together."

It was the most effort he'd put into planning anything for us in all our years of marriage.

The guiltier a man felt, the more generously he seemed to compensate.

I replied flatly, "Sounds good."

I didn't want to continue the conversation, so I pretended I needed some water and slipped out of his arms.

Just then, a scream came from downstairs.

"Lily! Lily!"

Jason sprang to his feet and rushed downstairs.

He found Vivian holding Lily in her arms, crying hysterically.

"Lily is allergic to peanuts! Chloe gave her peanut butter! I shouldn't have left them alone together. I told Chloe about Lily's allergy, but..."

Jason frowned and interrupted her.

"Are you accusing Chloe of deliberately hurting Lily?"

"Vivian, do you have any proof?"

Vivian wiped her tears, her lips trembling.

"I know you don't believe Chloe would do something like this. Then let's just wait until Lily wakes up and ask her ourselves."

Jason said nothing. He called their private doctor, and Lily regained consciousness shortly afterward.

Five minutes later, Jason came to find me, his face dark with anger.

"Chloe, Lily says you gave her a peanut butter cookie. Is that true?"

I answered calmly.

"No, I didn't."

Vivian rushed out from behind Jason, her expression agitated. She tried to lunge at me, but Jason caught her by the shoulders and pulled her back.

Vivian burst into tears.

"How could Lily possibly lie? She told me everything! You tricked her into eating it!"

"Don't you know an allergic reaction could be life-threatening? How could you do something so horrible to a child?"

She shoved me, making me stumble backward.

I ignored her and looked at Lily with a frown.

"Lily, tell me the truth. Was it really me?"

Lily pouted and looked helplessly toward Vivian.

Vivian turned to Jason.

"Jason, you know Lily is a good girl. She would never make something like this up."

Jason was torn.

On one side was his daughter. On the other was the woman he loved most.

After a long hesitation, he finally spoke.

"Chloe, I believe you must have had your reasons for what happened today. If you're willing to tell me the truth..."

"I didn't do it."

Vivian suddenly fainted.

I watched coldly as Jason hurriedly scooped her up and rushed out of the room.

Early the next morning, when I got up, none of them were home.

I scheduled a few messages to Jason, then replaced my SIM card and headed to the airport.

I also downloaded the security camera footage from our house.

I had a special gift waiting for Jason.

Around noon, Jason returned home with Vivian and Lily.

Just then, the hospital called.

"Hello. May I speak to Mr. Langley?"

"Speaking."

"We're calling because your wife, Chloe, hasn't collected her prenatal examination report yet. When would be a convenient time for you to pick it up?"

"Prenatal examination report? My wife is pregnant?"

"Yes. Your wife is already two months pregnant."

Jason jumped to his feet in excitement.

He hurriedly pulled out his phone and called me.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

No matter how many times he tried, the call wouldn't go through.

An unfamiliar wave of anxiety and fear washed over him.

Then his phone chimed.

With trembling fingers, he opened the message and saw the scheduled texts I'd sent.

[I already know Lily is your daughter.]

[You've disappointed me.]

[Goodbye.]