Chapter 3

I didn't expect to walk in and find Lillian at the dinner table while Jacob moved back and forth from the kitchen like some doting host.

The second he saw me, he wiped his hands and rushed over. "Zoe, where'd you go? I couldn't find you—I was freaking out."

I looked at the warm food on the table and let out a dry laugh.

He reached for my arm. I pulled away.

"Overtime," I said flatly. "I'm going to bed."

As I walked past, he stopped me. "Lillian barely visits. Why not sit and eat with us?"

"No. I'm tired."

Right then, Lillian stood and took my hand, all soft concern. "At least eat something. You look pale—what if you faint?"

Her voice was sweet, like always, but her eyes? Full of smugness.

I used to wonder why a rich girl like her would even bother with me. Turns out, she was playing the long game.

I yanked my hand away. "If you're hungry, help yourself."

She froze, her eyes watering on cue. Jacob grabbed my wrist.

"She's your best friend. How could you humiliate her like that?"

I laughed bitterly and peeled his fingers off one by one.

Lillian stepped in, acting all heartbroken. "Let it go, Jacob. Zoe's probably just exhausted. I don't mind. She's more important."

I ignored her fake tears and stormed into the bedroom to pack.

But the second I opened the closet, my heart dropped.

The ultrasound was gone.

I ran out. "Where's the ultrasound I left in the drawer?"

Jacob frowned and leaned over. "Gone? Maybe you misplaced it. You looked at it all the time."

"I wouldn't forget!" My voice cracked. "That was the only thing I had left of my first child. It meant everything to me."

He knew. He knew how much it meant.

He grabbed my arm gently. "Don't panic, baby. We'll find it."

Then Lillian whispered, "I'm sorry... I tore it up."

We both turned.

She was crying now, hands over her face. "There was no fire in the kitchen... I couldn't find anything to light it with. I used those papers. I thought the baby was already gone, so they didn't matter..."

Jacob shot her a furious glare—but he didn't say a word. Instead, he turned to me, voice soft.

"I know you're upset, but she didn't mean to. The baby's gone... but friendships last, right? We'll have more kids. There's still time."

I stood there, silent. Then I walked into the kitchen and pulled the shredded pieces from the trash.

That was my baby. I watched him grow on that screen, day by day.

The paper was worn from all the times I held it, soaked with tears.

When everything else broke me, he was the only reason I kept going.

Now even that was gone—ripped apart by her hands.

When Jacob saw me shaking, he pulled me close and wiped my tears. Then he turned to Lillian, cold and sharp.

"Well? Apologize."

She ran over. "Zoe, I'm sorry. It's my fault. If you're still mad, hit me."

Then she slapped herself, hard. A red mark bloomed across her cheek.

Jacob hesitated. I saw it—pity.

"That's enough... you—"

I shoved him off me and slapped her. Hard.

She flew back, crashing into the table. Her head hit the edge with a sickening thud. Blood started pouring from her forehead.

I stared down at her, voice flat and cold. "Get out of my house."

"Zoe Hart, are you insane?!"