Chapter 4

Ethan's face darkened. He grabbed Sandy by the wrist and dragged her into the backyard.

"I told you not to come here! If Aria finds out, you're finished!"

I slipped behind the curtains on the third floor. From there, I had a clear view of the yard.

In a burst of rage, Ethan shoved Sandy hard. "Have you lost your mind? Are you trying to ruin my life?"

She was shaking, her fingers clumsy as she rummaged through her bag until she finally pulled out a medical report. Even from this far away, her voice carried straight up to me.

"I know I shouldn't have shown up, but I'm pregnant. I'm ten weeks along, and the doctor already says it's high-risk. Ethan, I'm terrified. Is the baby going to be okay?

"This is your first child, the one who's supposed to be your heir."

My world caved in. It was like my heart had cracked clean in two and someone had sucked all the air out of the room.

So, Sandy was pregnant with Ethan's child, too?

Back when Ethan and I had just gotten married, we talked about having kids. He took my hand and told me he didn't want any yet.

"I want our love to stay pure. I don't want it weighed down by responsibility," he'd said.

And I'd believed him. I went on birth control like an idiot.

Only now did it finally click. His idea of "pure" love actually meant keeping things open for somebody else.

Ethan froze at the word "pregnant". His gaze dropped to her belly, disbelief flashing across his face.

He always used protection. So, how was this even possible?

The doubt, though, vanished almost as soon as it appeared.

Ethan rested a hand on Sandy's shoulder, and his voice softened all at once. "Ten weeks already? Then we need to be extra careful. Nothing can happen to this heir. Wait in the car.

"I'll have the best private physician check you over."

Her tears faded into a smile as she rose on her toes to kiss him.

Ethan's eyes darkened, and he gently turned away. "Remember where we are. This is the Grant estate. Take care of the baby you're carrying, Little Pearl. And don't tempt me."

Then he headed back inside with a faint, expectant smile.

I went back to the dining room and sank into my chair, my fingers ice-cold.

Ten weeks. So, whatever was between them had started long before I ever found out.

I pressed a hand to my belly, a dull ache spreading through my chest. This was all on me. I'd failed to give this baby a real family.

A moment later, Ethan walked in as if nothing had happened. "Aria, I'll be gone for two days. Our competitor's making a move, and I have to handle it myself. Just stay home and wait for me, okay?"

I nodded quietly.

When Ethan saw how composed I looked, he exhaled in relief, gave me a quick hug, and headed out. His performance was flawless, slipping between Sandy and me as if it cost him nothing.

I watched him go and then glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall.

This might be the last time we ever see each other in this life.

That afternoon, a photo of an ultrasound report popped up on my phone, followed immediately by a video.

In it, Ethan was holding Sandy gently by the waist, kissing her belly. The tenderness on his face was something he'd never shown me.

The sender showed up as an unknown number, but I couldn't have been more sure who it was.

Sandy was bold enough to taunt me, probably because she was carrying the Grants' heir. What she didn't realize was that none of it worked on me anymore.

My heart was already burned out, and I'd already decided to disappear.

…

Two days went by without a single word from Ethan. I spent them wiping away anything that proved I'd ever been there.

I donated every piece of jewelry, every painting, every antique I could, burned what was left, and ended up with just one suitcase.

On departure day, I was awake before dawn, quietly waiting for the research team's car to pull up.

Right before I left, my phone started buzzing. It was the same number that had been texting me before.

"Aria, the doctor says I'm having a boy. Ethan says he's going to make sure the baby and I get everything we deserve. A useless woman like you, who can't even give him an heir, should just leave the Grant family already!"

This time, I actually texted back, "Congrats. You're about to get exactly what you wished for."

The car pulled away.

As we passed Lanora Jewelry Studio, the sky suddenly opened up. Rain hammered the windows, smearing the world into gray.

Through the downpour, I caught sight of a row of familiar black cars outside the studio. That was where Ethan and I had bought our wedding rings six years ago.

The diamond ring he'd had custom-made was from a brand that claimed a man could buy only one in his entire life. He'd said it was his vow of loyalty.

Now Ethan walked out holding Sandy's hand, his other hand lifting the umbrella to keep the rain off her.

Sandy was in a white maternity dress, bright and impossible to miss in the rain. The huge pearl ring on her finger drew just as much attention.

A sudden gust tore through the sheet of rain.

Ethan glanced up and, by pure chance, his eyes found mine. Through the rain-streaked window, we locked eyes again in the spot that had once watched over our vows.

He froze, shock and raw panic flooding his eyes, his lips moving like he was calling out my name.

I looked away without a word, leaving the rain to wash away whatever was left between us.