Chapter 2

AVERY WINTERS

NEXT MORNING

I pulled into the hospital parking lot, and let out a heavy sigh. I rested my head onto the steering wheel, feeling exhausted already. I hadn't had a wink of sleep since Caden dropped the bombshell of wanting a divorce last night.

Our relationship is suddenly falling apart, and I don't want that. I'm really looking for a way to fix it but I don't know how to.

As I stepped out of the car, my legs felt heavy, weighed down already by my worries. I took a deep breath and headed into the hospital building, hoping to find a quick solution to my condition.

Inside the doctor’s office, smelling of antiseptic and silence, I sat on the plush leather chair, my hands clenched tightly against each other as I waited for him.

Then, the door opened.

“Good morning, Avery. Sorry for keeping you waiting,” Dr. Thomas said, walking in with my files in his hands.

He smiled, a genuine one. Not the usual one which always carries the concern before the bad news.

I’ve always taken my drugs as instructed and did everything. I knew it’s too sudden because it took me long before taking this step, but still, I hoped. As always.

He sat across from me, his smile never fading away as he go through my files.

Then, he look up to meet my gaze. "Congratulations Avery, we’ve made a lot of progress and with what I'm seeing right now, it shows that there’s a high possibility of you getting pregnant very soon. You’re better now.”

My eyes widened in shock, happiness slowly overwhelming me. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yes, we will have to run some more tests though, but I'm positive that you’re okay now.“

For the first time in months, I finally have that hope to keep pushing. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to move for the better.

I felt so grateful for this unexpected news and all I wanted right now is to share this good news with Caden.

Maybe, just maybe he would reconsider his decision.

I then rushed out of the hospital building, eager to share the good news with my husband. 

"If he learn about this, he will definitely change his mind about the divorce" I murmured under my breath.

I entered my car, grabbed my phone and dial his number, but it went straight to voicemail.

Strange.

His number has never went to voicemail. I wonder what's wrong.

I shrugged off the thought as I drove back home. After hopping down from my car, I headed straight to the study office, hoping to find him there.

I heard him telling someone over the phone this morning that he wouldn’t be going to the office.

But I found the room empty.

I decided to go check him in our room. And as I approached our bedroom, my heart suddenly skipped a beat. Something seems off, the air seemed thick with an unfamiliar scent.

I reached the door and suddenly heard a woman's voice, familiar yet, distressing. My instincts screamed at me to go in, but my feet seemed rooted at that spot.

"No, no, no. Of course, it can't be what I'm thinking. I must be mistaken" I whispered, my hands shaking as I wave off the thought.

I pushed the door slightly open, just a crack and what I saw immediately made my world crumble.

My husband laid on the bed with another woman, their bodies entwined lovingly like a real couple. His hands caressing her skin and his mouth whispering nothing but sweet words in her ear.

"You were so fucking good, baby" He murmured, his voice husky and intimate as he complimented her. Something he has never said to me before.

She giggled at his compliment, and peck him on the lip. Making my heart shattered into a million pieces.

How could he?

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at the scene in front of me. My body slowly trembling in anger.

"You know... I've never felt this way about any woman before" he whispered again.

"How could you say that when you’ve been sleeping on the same bed with your wife for five years now?"

"I understand what you mean, but I need you to know that that woman has always been more of a duty- a responsibility to me than a wife. I never considered her my wife. But with you... It's different. You make me feel alive. It's you that I want and nothing would ever change that."

Duty?

Responsibility?

That's all I was ever to him? He never considered me as his wife?

My heart crumbled as the words keep repeating in my head.

I stood there, frozen in agony, my heart pounded loudly in my chest. I clenched my fist tightly, trying to control my temper.

Their laughter and whispers grew louder and I feel like I am drowning in betrayal right now, my chest keeps tightening more in pain. 

"I've always dreamed of this day for so long, Caden. You have no idea how happy I am right now. I'm happy to finally have you all to myself, back in my arms, without the fear of losing you to another woman." 

"I was yours to begin with, and I will always be yours."

He was hers to begin with? He was never truly mine?

My vision became blurred as a lone tear streamed down my face.

I cleared my throat, faking a cough to shatter their intimate atmosphere. They both jerked upright, caught off guard by my sudden appearance.

Instantly, my eyes widened in horror the moment they landed on the lady beside him.

It's Ember, MY STEP SISTER!!!

"E-Ember?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "What's going on here? Why is she here?" I asked, turning my gaze to meet Caden whose expression seemed cold and detached.

He didn't say a word, he just continued to dress up, avoiding an eye contact with me. He doesn't even seemed to be bothered about my presence or with the fact that I just caught them together.

"What are you doing here?" His voice very cold and emotionless as he asked.

"Why, Caden? How could you choose to betray me like this despite everything I've done for you?" I demanded, my anger rising.

"What exactly have you done? Other than being a constant thorn in my flesh. Do you even know who this woman right here is? She's my life saver! She risked her own life to save me when I almost drown in the river. Look, I've missed her for so long. I've denied her the love and attention she truly deserves. Now, it's my turn to make her happy and I'm not going to allow you ruin that chance for me."

Wait, what?!

Did he just said, she saved him?

While drowning in the river?

"What do you mean, she saved you? I was the one who saved you, Caden!" I retorted, my voice shaking. "I risked my life for you! I got hurt… just to save you!"

"Th... Th.. that's not true. What are you saying, Avery? I don't know why you're doing this, but I was the one who saved Caden," she said in a low, trembling voice.

Her stuttering didn’t sound convincing to me, and as I glanced at her, I didn't fail to see the wicked smirk plastered on her face. Her eyes flashing with an evil triumph.

This means only one thing, she knows exactly what she's doing.

I clenched my fist tightly, my hands trembling in anger as I glared hard at her. I can't believe my ears right now.

I watched as she slowly pull out a necklace from behind her back- the same necklace I had given Caden after saving him.

"Where did you get that from?" I growled, as I lunged towards her, but Caden’s hand grasped mine, roughly pushing me away, making me to almost lost my balance.

"Ca... Caden?" I glanced at him, shocked.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" He growled, his eyes blazing with anger. "Do you want to hurt her?!"

"B-But that necklace belongs to me, Caden," I said, my voice trembling. "I gave it to you after rescuing you from the river. I don't know how it end up with her."

Ember instantly sprang up from her seat, then dropped on her knees before me, clasping her hands together in a pleading gesture. "Please, Avery, don't hurt me like you always do in the past. I beg of you, just let it go this one time. I promise never to come in between you and Caden again" she begged, fake tears streaming down her cheeks.

"W... What?!" I stuttered, staring at her, shocked.