Chapter 1

I dug out the pills I had hidden three years ago and downed every last one of them.

A sharp, searing burn spread through my abdomen.

My fingers kept scrolling through the comments.

“Poor McCoy. He has to go back to the lunatic. Honestly, she’s better off dead.”

This was the underprivileged student I helped put through school. She prayed for my well-being on the day I was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression.

“It’s all down to timing. If you and Raleigh had met earlier, I bet you two would belong to each other.”

The comment came from my coworker. She caught the bouquet at my wedding, calling us a match made in heaven with a smile.

“Don’t worry about it. You work in the same office. In the worst-case scenario, we’ll cover your tracks for you.”

My college roommate volunteered. She was the very person who threatened to kill McCoy on the night he told me how he felt if he ever hurt me.

The tears in my eyes blurred my vision.

So everyone knew. Yet, they conspired to keep me in the dark.

I was the villain ruining their happiness, the one who shouldn’t exist.

It didn’t matter, though.

Soon enough, they would get exactly what they wished for.

Outside the door, the keypad beeped.

McCoy Evans, Raleigh Lane, and Teddy Evans strolled in, their luggage in tow, chatting gleefully.

Our eyes met.

Furrowing his brows, McCoy spoke in disapproval, “Moira, didn’t I say that I’d pick you up? What if something goes wrong on your way back?”

I parted my lips, but before I could say anything, tears streamed down my face.

After a brief panic, McCoy went up to dry my tears.

“I’m sorry, Moira. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. Don’t cry.”

In the back, Raleigh entered holding Teddy’s hand. She teased me with a smile.

“Moira, it’s been three years. How are you still a crybaby?”

Hiding behind Raleigh, Teddy looked at me curiously.

Pain gripped my heart.

The tiny baby lying in the stroller three years ago was big enough to carry his own backpack now.

Steadying my shaking voice, I got down to his eye level and spread my arms apart.

“Come and give me a hug, Teddy.”

Teddy recoiled and tugged at Raleigh’s shirt uneasily.

“Who is she, Mommy?”

I was taken aback.

McCoy explained in a soft voice, “Moira, don’t read too much into it. Raleigh practically raised him while you were gone, so it just became a habit for him.

“Since Raleigh is his godmother anyway, we didn’t see the need to correct him.”

Only then did I notice that they were wearing matching outfits.

Raleigh shrugged helplessly.

“This is for a homework assignment from kindergarten. We have to take photos, wearing color-coordinated attire as a family.

“Since you weren’t around, I had to stand in for you. If you mind it that much, I’ll take the clothes off now.”

She spoke as if she had nothing to hide.

Had I not read those comments, I would’ve bought every word.

Choking back my heartache, I didn’t call her out.

“It’s fine. The clothes suit you. Just keep them on.”

I wasn’t triggered like before.

As the tension along McCoy’s facial features eased, he shuffled my hair.

“You’ve come a long way, Moira. Those three years of treatment must have worked.

“While we’re at it, I should check your 1,000 wishes.”

He reached for my list to unfold the paper.