Chapter 2

“Do you still blame me, Linette? I really didn’t know the miscarriage would hurt you that much.

“But since you’re back, Rowan and I will make it up to you.

“Once you’re pregnant with me and Rowan’s child, I’ll give you a room at home. It’ll be like a nanny room. After you give birth, it’ll be easier for you to take care of our baby.

“But before IVF, you should really get a full check-up. After all, life overseas is kind of messy. We don’t even know what you’ve been doing these past five years that made you want to hide from everyone…”

It had been five years, yet she was still as disgustingly petty as ever.

When I frowned, Rowan took it as jealousy. His brows slightly lifted, and satisfaction crept into his tone.

“Tara’s right. Having a baby is a big deal.

“How about this, Linette? I’ll take you for a full physical tomorrow, maybe even a genetic screening.

“If everything checks out, I’ll book a doctor right away. Oh, and you probably don’t have money, right? I’ll give you $200 first. Think of it as a deposit.”

He pulled out his wallet and flicked out two crisp, blue bills.

“Here. Consider it a deposit.”

The people around him could not hold it in and burst out laughing.

“Linette, it’s been five years. How did you get even cheaper?”

“Rowan, why even give her $200? Toss her two dimes, and she’ll be grateful.”

“What are you standing there for? Say thank you already.”

The familiar scene dragged me back to an old memory.

It was three in the morning. I had run from the north of the city to the south just to bring them roasted chestnuts.

They were just like this too, laughing as they pulled out a couple of crumpled bills and tossed them onto the ground.

Then, they would put on fake smiles and say, “Thanks, Linette.”

Tara smoothed her hair and pretended to let out a sigh.

“Looks like life’s been really hard on you, Linette. Don’t worry. I’m not petty.

“Once you give birth to mine and Rowan’s baby, I’ll give you a big payment. I won’t mistreat you.”

Rowan’s gaze softened as though he was moved by her words.

“Tara, you’re still so kind.

“Unlike her! She had a miscarriage, but it’s not like she can’t have kids. She actually threw a tantrum and went abroad for five years. She’s just as petty as her mother.”

My heartbeat stalled for a second when I heard that.

My mother was the family’s original wife, but my father cheated while she was pregnant. Tara was the result of that affair.

After my mother died, barely a week passed before Tara’s mother moved in.

Then, my wedding was called off, and I lost my child.

When I was in the hospital, Rowan never once showed up.

That was when I realized that he was rotten.

The boy who once fought for me, teeth clenched in pain just to stop me from crying…

The boy who defied his family and walked every street with me…

The boy who knelt in front of my mother’s grave and swore he would love me forever…

Somewhere along the way, he disappeared.

I came back to my senses, shaking my head. The past suddenly felt like it belonged to someone else.

After all, I was already married.

My second child was about to turn one month old.

…

My gaze settled back into something calm. I looked straight at Rowan and got right to the point.

“I’m the person you’re all waiting for. You can leave now.”

The crowd went quiet for a moment.

Then, everyone looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Tara even laughed until she had tears in her eyes, then shoved the bouquet she had prepared to welcome ‘Aunt’ right into my face.

“Linette, it’s been five years, yet you haven’t changed at all. Where do you get that confidence from?

“We’re welcoming Rowan’s aunt-in-law, the future lady of the Shaw family.

“Not you, a piece of trash who can’t even keep a child.”

Her last sentence was spoken so softly that no one could hear them except me.