Chapter 2

Early the next morning, I quietly began packing my things.

The door suddenly swung open. Connor walked in with Lindsey. Their intimacy was impossible to ignore.

The moment he saw me, Connor instinctively stepped back from her, his expression flustered.

"Rachel, shouldn't you still be sleeping? Why are you up so early?" he stammered. "Uh… Lindsey came to visit you. We ran into each other outside, so I brought her in."

I suppressed the mocking curve of my lips and gave a faint nod.

Lindsey's gaze soon landed on the jewelry spread across the table. A flicker of jealousy flashed through her eyes. Tugging at Connor's sleeve, she pouted sweetly, "Connor, isn't that the Heart of the Ocean? The one worth millions? I've always wanted it! Can you ask Rachel to lend it to me for a few days?"

Connor brushed his hand over her hair with indulgent affection, then turned to me. His fingers pinched my cheek lightly as he said, "Rachel, let Lindsey have it. As her sister, you should be a little generous. You have so much jewelry anyway—one less piece won't hurt. If you want something new, I'll buy it for you."

His voice carried the same gentle tone he always used—the kind that wrapped cruelty in tenderness. Each soft-spoken word stripped away something that belonged to me and placed it into Lindsey's hands.

A deep ache welled up inside me, and my eyes burned with unshed tears.

I ran my fingers slowly across the array of glittering jewels until they came to rest on the Heart of the Ocean. I looked up at Lindsey.

"You like it?" My voice was calm. "Then you can't have it."

"Rachel! You're mocking me!"

Used to always having Connor and our family shield her, Lindsey's face twisted with fury. She lunged toward me, trying to snatch the necklace, but I shoved her hard, sending her sprawling to the floor.

She opened her mouth, tears brimming, clearly ready to play the victim again and ignite Connor's anger. But before she could, I pressed a hand to my stomach and let a few tears fall.

"It hurts… my stomach hurts…"

The color drained from Connor's face. Panic replaced his earlier gentleness. Without a glance back at Lindsey's cries, he scooped me into his arms and rushed for the car.

For the first time, he ignored Lindsey—but only because of the child inside me… the child that wasn't truly mine.

As we drove, his phone buzzed over and over. When our eyes met, he stammered, "The company's been… busy lately. It's probably just work calling again."

I lowered my gaze, the pain in my chest sharper than any physical ache.

Work? No—it was Lindsey, sulking because he'd left her behind.

When I looked up again, my face was composed.

"Darling, if you're busy, you should go. My stomach doesn't hurt that much anymore. I can go to the hospital myself."

"Really?"

"Of course. Don't worry, it's fine."

He pulled the car to the curb and leaned close, pressing his face against my belly. His hands lingered there, reluctant to leave.

"Baby," he murmured, "Daddy has to work now. I'll come see you later."

Then he lifted his head, kissed me tenderly on the lips, and whispered, "Rachel, you're so understanding. I'm so lucky to have you."

I watched his figure disappear down the street, then walked to a nearby café and opened the live feed from the home security cameras.

I had guessed right. The moment he returned, he pulled Lindsey into his arms.

Lindsey turned her tear-streaked face away, her voice trembling with hurt.

"You used to give me everything Rachel owned. Now she says she's in pain, and you just leave me behind. Don't tell me you've actually fallen for her!"

Connor shook his head in panic.

"I swear, I haven't. You'll always be the only woman I love. I was worried—just worried about our baby. She had meant to give the necklace to the baby anyway. Since it's for the baby, it'll go to you eventually."

Then he crushed his lips against hers, murmuring between kisses, "Don't be angry, sweetheart. Let's go shopping right now. Whatever you want, I'll buy it all."

Lindsey's tears vanished, replaced by a satisfied smile. She laced her fingers through his and headed for the door.

At that exact moment, the doorbell rang.

When I saw who was there, my heart clenched tight.

The deliveryman—careless, oblivious—had brought the envelope my lawyer had sent, full of the evidence collected for my divorce case.

And he had handed it straight to Connor for signature.