Chapter 2. The Plan

Sophie stared at the soup and bread on the table while the maids moved across the room, preparing breakfast. Her husband was still upstairs. She sat with a straight back, stiff, doing nothing with a blank expression. She hadn’t even changed out of her pajamas yet.

“Ma’am?”

A gasp escaped her as she turned to the left. One of the maids smiled politely. “I heard the master calling upstairs. He knocked—”

Relief rushed through her as she remembered that she had locked her husband, Cassidy, inside the bathroom. She had no idea how to explain it. She needed a reason, like something to shift the blame away from herself.

“Go to my room and open the door, but do not say anything to him,” she ordered.

The maid nodded without question and walked toward the room. Sophie’s eyes followed her every step.

She couldn’t think straight. Lowering her head, she grabbed her loose hair, frustration building inside. What should she do? She needed to call her best friend, Maddy, and ask for help. At the very least, she needed to check herself. Something felt wrong in her belly, and she couldn’t explain it.

Another maid approached cautiously. Though she said nothing, the confusion on her face was obvious. Before Sophie could even lift her head, Cassidy’s voice rang out.

“Sweetpea!”

She quickly stood, forcing a bigger, fake smile onto her face. The sadness vanished in seconds as Cassidy came downstairs. He frowned the moment he saw her, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

“I just locked myself in the bathroom.” His brows furrowed again, as if reporting the incident.

“Seriously? Who did that?” she asked, feigning innocence.

Her eyes widened in mock shock. From the corner of her vision, she noticed the maids exchanging confused glances. But she couldn’t let Cassidy suspect her.

“I don’t know.” Cassidy looked irritated, then turned toward the two maids beside the table, studying them with suspicion.

Sophie quickly stepped closer, grabbed his arm, and gently pulled him toward the chair.

“You’re fine, right? Let’s not talk about that. Come on, you’re going to be late.”

She didn’t want him dwelling on what had happened, so she pulled the chair out for him. A shy giggle escaped him, and within moments, the cold air in the room turned warm. Even if he found it strange, she didn’t care. He must not suspect anything.

“Oh, thank you, Sweetpea. Did you prepare all of these?” he asked, pointing at the dishes.

Rolling her eyes playfully, she smiled and hummed before taking a seat beside him.

Gently, she placed two slices of bread and some butter on his plate. “Taste the soup.”

Her expression looked proud and pleased, as if she had cooked everything herself. She didn’t hesitate to take credit from the maids who had done all the work. It didn’t matter. This was her house.

“Incredible. I always love your cooking. Thanks, baby.”

She only smiled, not even bothering to nod as she reached for her plate. Inside, her heart cursed, but her lips curved into the widest grin she could manage.

Cassidy looked satisfied as he continued eating. Meanwhile, her stomach twisted painfully. Just last night, his mistress had talked about getting rid of her, and now he sat across from her, smiling like a loving husband. He didn’t look like a liar. How could he feel no guilt?

“What are you planning today? Aren’t you going to work?”

His voice broke through her thoughts. Startled, she quickly smiled while her mind searched for an answer.

“Uh, I have a few meetings,” she replied at random. In reality, she had none. She planned to leave as soon as he was gone.

“Then let me take you to the office—”

“No, it’s okay. I can drive.”

“No, Sweetpea. I would never let my pregnant baby drive a car. It’s dangerous.”

His words sounded almost pathetic to her. Ever since she got pregnant and they married, Cassidy had never allowed her to drive. But now that she knew the truth, she had to see Maddy and tell her everything. She also needed to see her OB-GYN. What if the pregnancy wasn’t what she thought? Worse—what if Cassidy already knew something she didn’t? If she went with him, he might find out.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice how her expression changed. Cassidy leaned closer, and she gasped, startled. A frown appeared on his face.

“Are you okay? You’re so quiet—”

His gaze lingered on her a little too long. “Sweetpea… did something happen?”

Her heart nearly stopped. “Uh, I’m going to change, or I’ll be late.”

She stood abruptly and walked toward the stairs, heading back to the room, without touching any food at all. Even without turning around, she could feel his eyes following her every step.

Cassidy remained where he was, staring at her in confusion. Her acts drew his suspicion. The moment she entered the bedroom, she grabbed her phone. She couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Maddy, I need to see you.”

“Today? I thought you were working.”

Her breathing turned heavy. One hand wiped the sweat from her forehead while the other held the phone tightly. She paced back and forth, overwhelmed.

“I can’t. I need to see the doctor. I need to see you.”

Her voice nearly broke. Tears threatened to fall.

Madison had been Sophie’s best friend since college. The only person who had always supported her, no matter what. When Cassidy proposed, Maddy had hesitated. Sophie had been confused back then, afraid of creating more problems with her parents. In the end, Maddy supported her marriage anyway. Now, regret hit her hard. She should have trusted her instincts.

“Okay, okay. Where are you now?”

“I’m still in my room.” Her voice trembled; a sob barely held back. All the emotions she had suppressed at the breakfast table spilled out as she spoke.

“So, where do you want me to pick you up?”

“At my office in an hour.”

“Fine. See you there.”

“Thanks, Maddy.” Relief softened her expression into a small smile.

“Anything for you, Soph.”

Slowly, Sophie lowered her phone. Her fingers trembled slightly as her grip loosened.

Then she heard footsteps right outside her door. Her eyes widened, her breath hitched.

“Sweetpea?” Cassidy’s voice came closer this time.

She held her breath, then slowly turned back to face the door.

“Sweetpea, what are you doing inside? Are you talking to someone?”

Sophie gasped. She paused. Her eyes darted toward the door. The handle—it moved.