Chapter 2

Filled with joy, I'd reached for the necklace, but Damian, usually so composed, had snapped, scolding me before tucking it away.

Now, I understood who it truly belonged to.

I couldn't help but imagine Damian's reaction when he found out the truth. I was the one who saved his life. His love and necklace had been given to the wrong person.

His deep voice brought me back to reality. "Serena, you look pale. Is the baby troubling you? Or are you unwell? Let me take you to a doctor."

His concerned gaze left me momentarily dazed.

When he first learned of my pregnancy, his joy had been palpable.

He'd teared up, hugging me tightly. "I'm going to be a dad!"

I'd shared his delight, thinking it was parental bliss. Now, I knew that the child was just his ticket to inheritance.

For a moment, I couldn't tell if his concern was genuine or if he was just worried about the baby, who would affect his inheritance rights and his plan to marry Harriet.

The latter seemed more likely. Too bad, I couldn't give him what he wanted.

My child could grow up without a father, but not exist as a pawn.

Pain clawed at my chest, like thorns twisting deeper with every breath. "I'm fine. Probably just a cold."

Damian stepped closer. "Harriet's check-up is finished. You don't look well. Let's see a doctor here, or I'll have the family doctor come to the house."

Before I could respond, Harriet wobbled dramatically, collapsing into his arms with a theatrical gasp. "Ah, my leg just cramped up. It's probably that old injury acting up again. I don't want to delay you from taking Serena home, but could you help me get another appointment? I'll go alone."

She batted her lashes, feigning vulnerability.

I interjected, "That fire seven years ago was brutal, wasn't it? Saving him must've been strenuous. Any scars?"

She rolled up her sleeve, revealing a faint mark on her arm. "Yeah, it left this. Not exactly pretty, but Damian means everything to me. I'd run through fire for him again in a heartbeat."

I was stunned by her audacity. She'd go so far as to flaunt a fake scar to uphold her lie.

"That blaze killed many people," I pressed. "You were just a middle-school kid, small and frail. How did you manage to drag him out of those flames?"

Her eyes darted away, a brief crack in her façade, before tears welled up again.

She turned to Damian, whining, "What is Serena implying? Is she doubting me? Is she jealous because you're kind to me? Always trying to stir trouble between us."

Damian's gaze turned icy. "That's enough, Serena. She risked her life to save mine. I won't let you make things difficult for her."

Harriet's sobs grew louder, theatrical and grating. "It hurts so much. Please, take me to the doctor."

"Of course." He scooped her up, turning to me. "You seem fine, stirring up trouble as usual. Go home and rest."

His words cut like a blade. The truth about that fire lodged in my throat once more.

He cherished her blindly, and the facts were irrelevant now.