3: He Had Another Child.

Delilah’s POV

“Oh, the bitch is back,” Estelle’s voice was as cold as ice. “I thought you’d finally fucked off for good.”

I stood by the door, my chest tightening. Every word she spat felt like needles against raw skin. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to stand straight. I tried to ignore her.

“Where have you been?” My mother-in-law rolled eyes. “You can’t just leave the goddamn house without my permission.”

My throat burned, my tears threatening to spill. A lot of crazy emotions tangled inside me. “…I lost my baby,” I whispered, not knowing what else to do.

Estelle’s smirk widened. “Oh… you lost it? Figures. You’re not fit to carry a Weston child.” she shrugged.

What the hell?? How dare she?

My chest constricted, fury igniting like wildfire. “Not fit? You—You piece of—! You think you get to say that? After everything? You’ve spent your whole life trying to ruin me, Estelle. I've had enough of it! You're so fucking heartless and it's pathetic that you're a mother. “

She tilted her head, unbothered. “Ruining you? Sweetheart, I’ve just been… honest. You’re weak and fragile. I mean you've been helplessly in love with my son for years. You couldn't accept that he didn't give a fuck about you back then.”

My hands balled into fists, nails digging into my palms. “Weak? Fragile?” I barked, stepping closer. “Do you even hear yourself? I loved that child. I planned for him. Every damn thing was ready. And now he’s gone! And you… you have the audacity to—”

The door clicked open. I turned, and my face darkened as Caleb's face came into view.

He stepped inside, holding flowers and a glossy gift bag, that golden smile painted across his handsome face like he’d rehearsed it in the car. Behind him, Cheryse trailed in with little Maxwell clinging to her hand. Okay…what the fuck?

“Baby…” Caleb’s voice softened as he rushed to me. “I heard about the baby.” His arms wrapped around me before I could recoil,. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured against my hair. “So, so sorry.”

I stood there, stiffly, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. He pressed the flowers and the bag into my arms like gifts could stitch the wound in my chest. I was tempted to slam the flowers on his stupid face.

“You deserve better than pain, sweetheart. I want to take care of you. Always,” he whispered, stroking my hair, planting a kiss against my temple. “Let's go out tonight, just us."

I turned just in time to see Cheryse frown. Of course she'd be upset. Gosh, these two irritate me. She lingered near the door, silent, awkward as if she didn't know what to say. But right now, it wasn’t her presence that made my stomach drop, it was the necklace around her throat.

It was a simple silver necklace.

I found that necklace once, months ago, tucked in Caleb’s drawer. He’d brushed it off, said it was a sample gift for clients. Now it sparkled proudly against her skin.

I said nothing. My smile didn’t falter, though the bile crept up my throat. Finally, I pulled back from Caleb, forcing space between us.. “Caleb… why is she here?”

His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before he masked it with another warm smile. “Oh… there was a fire. At her apartment. She was home, sick—she couldn’t stop it in time. The smoke spread fast, destroying nearly everything. She and Maxwell barely got out. They’ve got nowhere to go, Delilah.” He sighed, running a hand down his face like this story weighed on him. “So… she’ll be staying here. Just until she gets back on her feet.”

My chest squeezed so tight I thought I’d choke.

Staying here?

Here??

Wasn’t she just at his office, giggling behind glass doors, touching him like he was hers?

Liar.

Twice he lied.

In fact, he’s been lying from day one.

If that's not a replacement, I don't know what is. So this is it. What I've been so afraid and blind to see.

The mask cracked. “No!” My voice shook the room. “Get her a damn hotel!”

Caleb blinked, stunned. “What?”

I threw the flowers onto the couch, the petals scattering like pieces of my sanity. “Get her and her son a damn hotel! She is not staying in this house!”

“Delilah, lower your voice,” he hissed, stepping closer, trying to cage me with his presence. “This isn’t the time! told you not to stress yourself!” he snapped, voice like a whip. “Why do you always make everything worse? Can’t you ever just—just shut up and rest?”

“No, Caleb. Don’t you dare tell me when the time is. I’ve lost my child, and you expect me to share a roof with her?” I jabbed a trembling finger toward Cheryse, who stiffened. “Are you out of your goddamn mind?”

Caleb’s eyes darkened, his charm slipping. “You think you’re the only one with problems?” His voice was sharp and brutal. “I’m out there every damn day, breaking my back to make sure you and that baby don’t end up on the street. And what do I come home to? Complaints. Accusations. Since the day you got pregnant, Delilah, you’ve made this house unbearable. You make it impossible to breathe in this house!”

His words cut deep, slicing through grief and fury alike. I reeled, but I refused to let him see me buckle. “Then maybe you should’ve stayed at her place instead of bringing her into mine,” I spat.

“Daddy…”

The small voice snapped through the tension. Maxwell tugged at Cheryse’s sleeve, his eyes wide as he looked up at Caleb. “Why is that woman shouting at my daddy?”

The blood drained from my face. Daddy?? What's…going on. No…this…I don't understand.

Caleb forced a smile, bending to pat the boy’s head. “It’s nothing, champ. Just grown-ups talking.”

Something inside me cracked. I stared at both of them and the resemblance almost made me pass out. Oh no, this can't…this can't be. Maxwell is his child? How far can this mother fucker go?

I turned my gaze on Cheryse, hating her even more, “She doesn’t belong here, Caleb. She never has.”

Caleb stiffened. “Her husband died. She has no one else. I’m just being a supportive friend.”

My laugh was bitter. “She’s never been married. Don’t insult my intelligence.”

Cheryse finally spoke, her voice trembling but edged with steel. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

My rage boiled over. “Who gives you the right to talk in my house?” I snapped, storming toward her, fury blinding me. Before I even realized, my hand shoved her backward. She stumbled, arms flailing, and crashed against the polished floor with a sickening thud. Maxwell fell from her hold too.

Maxwell started crying in fear and my heart sank deeper. “Oh my God—Maxwell, I—I’m so sorry—”

Caleb shoved past me, helping them up. And then he turned furiously, slapping me hard on my cheek.

The sound echoed, deafening.

My cheek burned. Tears welled instantly, unbidden, hot and humiliating. My heart shattered into a million pieces . He’d never hit me before.

“You don’t have to be heartless just because you lost your child!” he roared, eyes blazing with a rage I’d never seen before. “Don't ever hurt him again!"