Chapter 3

The living room was a disaster zone, with broken vases and sculptures scattered everywhere.

I tiptoed around the debris and stepped forward. "I'm right here."

Charles spun, his eyes locking onto mine. After a long, tense moment, he pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Where have you been, honey? I've been looking everywhere for you. I was so worried you might've left me. It scared the heck out of me."

After being chilled to the bone all day, the instant I sank into Charles's wide, toasty embrace, I almost did not want to let go.

However, I snapped out of it fast. This was just another one of his Oscar-worthy performances.

I gave Charles a light pat on the back. "I just went for a little walk. My phone died, so I missed your calls."

He let out a huge sigh of relief. "Sienna, you know I'd rather lose everything than lose you. Promise me you'll never leave, okay?"

Oh, the sweet talk.

It used to make my heart flutter.

Not anymore.

I managed a half-hearted smile. "Sure."

'As if I'd make it that easy for you to find me once I'm gone,' I mused.

Charles must have been really spooked about losing me, because he stuck to me like glue all night.

I handed him a box. "Surprise for our anniversary. Wait two days before you open it."

Inside was my getaway kit: divorce papers, a pregnancy test, and the pile of love letters from when he was still trying to win me over.

He promised a love letter every year. This year was overdue. Not that it mattered anymore.

Charles froze as he reached for the box, then nodded eagerly. "Do you like the stars I sent you, darling?"

I smiled, playing along. "Of course. You always said you knew me best. How could I not?"

Charles was clever, alright. He knew I loved the night sky, so he gave me stars. Fiona, with her love for all things flashy, got showered with cash.

He seemed pleased with my answer.

The next day, he was all about spoiling me, dragging me to every fancy store in town. "You didn't find anything you liked yesterday. Let me make it up to you today. We'll take home anything you want."

The employees and other shoppers could not help but stare at me with envy. As their eyes bore into me, I could not help but scoff to myself over and over.

However, it was fine. In just two days, I would be out of here, heading to a place where Charles did not exist.

Just two more days, I reminded myself.

I flashed a smile and said cheerfully, "Sure thing."

My bodyguard was quick to load up with bags. I signaled for him to head to the car with them. In that moment, Charles shot a look toward the stairwell, his face clouding over.

He turned back to me with a grin. "I'll just make a quick call and be right back. Stay right here for me, okay?"

Yeah, right. Like I was going to just stand there and wait. I tiptoed after him.

The mall's stairwell was empty and echoed with silence, except for Charles, who was gripping Fiona's arm in a corner.

Charles's voice was a harsh whisper, "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you that Sienna can't find out about you?"

Fiona's shoulders were shaking, her face the picture of misery. "Charles, I... I just didn't know what else to do.

"I'm pregnant."

Her words hit me like a tidal wave, nearly knocking me off my feet.

She was pregnant, too!

As I touched my own stomach, feeling the life inside, guilt washed over me. I had not protected him, had not secured the happy, whole family life he deserved.

Charles's brow was furrowed as he flipped through Fiona's pregnancy report. His voice was grave. "Didn't we always use protection? How could you be pregnant?"

Fiona was trembling, tears in her voice. "I don't know what went wrong, but this is the Lawrence family's first child. I was so scared you wouldn't want him, Charles. I don't know what to do. It's all my fault..."

Charles was quiet for what felt like an eternity before he wrapped Fiona in a tight hug. "What are you saying? You're practically a hero to the Lawrence family."