Chapter 2

Victor stood in the living room, his left arm draped around a woman's waist.

Amber's.

My mother-in-law held her hands. “Oh my dear, I am so happy to see you. You look gorgeous as always.”

“Thanks, auntie,” Amber answered with a soft smile. “I've missed this place. I'm glad I didn't say no to Victor's invitation.”

My mind went blank. Victor invited her to our home. Without telling me?

I glanced at him. He looked so relaxed and happy.

A week earlier he had told me I was the only woman who could make him happy. But I had now been effortlessly replaced.

Before he could see me, I slipped away into our room.

“Where's Avery?” he asked casually. Like I wasn't his wife he hadn't seen in days.

“She's probably asleep like the lazy girl she is,” Stella responded sarcastically.

“Come on mom. Cut her some slack. She's pregnant and needs rest.”

Was.

I was pregnant.

“Aww, pregnant? That's excellent news. Victor, why didn't you tell me?” Amber squealed.

My brows furrowed. Why would my pregnancy sound like good news to her?

Stella scoffed. “Don't be happy for her, Amber darling. She could be faking it…like she’s currently faking an accident.”

“Accident? Mom, what are you talking about?” Victor's voice sharpened.

“Who can ever know with someone like her?” Stella mumbled.

“Where is she?” he asked, ignoring her.

“In there, sir,” a maid replied.

Footsteps echoed on the stairway.

“Victor, you can't seriously be worried when she's just faking it for attention.”

As he drew closer, my chest tightened. The door to our room opened. Victor's eyes widened as he stood frozen for a second, then he let out a gasp and ran to me.

“Avery. What happened to you?”

Once I saw him, a stream of tears burst out of my eyes. He rushed forward and pulled me into his arms.

But there was no warmth. No comfort.

A strong scent of perfume wafted into my nose.

Amber's perfume.

“Tell me, sweetie. What happened? Is our baby okay? Please talk to me.” His voice shook as if anything I would say could break him.

For a second, my heart felt lighter. Maybe he still cared.

“V-Victor, I… I fell down the—”

“Ahhhh!!”

A sharp-pitched scream cut me off.

“Victor!” Stella banged on the door. “Come quickly. Amber is hurt.”

One second I was in Victor's arms, the next, I was shoved aside. My body hit the floor, a jolt of pain running up my back.

I stood up, dragged my body to a room downstairs, and laid on the bed, my muscles screaming in pain.

Hours later they returned. I walked to the door, from where I could see them but they couldn't see me.

“It's a good thing Avery moved out of your room with her childish tantrums,” Stella said. “Amber, go and sleep with Victor,”

My grip tightened around my door knob.

“No auntie, that won't be necessary. It's their marital room after all. It wouldn't be right,” Amber said softly.

Stella rolled her eyes. “Shush darling. You're hurt. It'll be easier for him to look after you.”

Victor didn't refuse. He didn't even glance at me. He just lifted Amber into his arms and carried her up the stairs.

She looked straight at me and smiled smugly.

And right there, I decided: I was done.

Done trying to fit in where I didn't belong.

Done doing whatever I was still doing here.

When morning came, I dialed a number.

“Miss Ardent, is everything okay?”

“Robert, I need your help.”

“Should I get your brothers? They've been waiting for your call.”

“Please don't tell them anything. I just want to disappear for a few months before I face my brothers.”

He paused for a second.  “Okay, Miss Ardent. Two days and I'll have everything ready.”

“Two days is perfect. Thanks Robert.”

***

I dragged my aching body into my office. I should have stayed home and mourned my child.

But if I was leaving in two days, I had to do the last thing that mattered to me.

My fingers brushed over the folder on my desk.

Three months of hard work was about to pay off.

Taking a deep breath, I headed into the boardroom. The investors sat discussing amongst themselves.

Victor was talking to someone.

Amber.

She occupied my seat.

My fists clenched. When Victor saw me, he walked over and pulled me outside to a corridor.

“Hey, can we talk for a moment?”

“Later, please,” I said. “This is the final design. I'll present it now.”

Victor hesitated and cleared his throat. “About that. Avery, you're pregnant and I think it's best you go back home and get some rest. Amber will present it.”

I froze. What?

“I worked hard on this every day for three months, Victor. What do you mean?”

“I know, darling, but you see, Amber has more experience. She will present it better.”

My chest tightened and tears brimmed in my eyes.

Victor didn't flinch. He smiled and extended his hand, so I realized fighting was useless.

I handed him the folder. But before walking away I asked, “who is Amber to you?”

He blinked twice. “My love, you know she's my best friend and—”

“Lover?”

“Someone I care about deeply,” he said simultaneously.

I let out a humorless laugh.

“So she's not your ex–fiancée whom you still have feelings for?”

He frowned, then chuckled. “Babe, jealousy looks good on you. Go home and rest. Pregnancy hormones are getting to your head.”

He didn't deny it.

“You can't have your cake and eat it too, Victor.” I spat, turned on my heel, and strode off.

As I walked past my colleagues, I could hear their whispers. “Is that her? Mr. Kingswell’s slum wife?”

“Yes. She looks so pale and sickly. No wonder he chose Miss Williamson. She's gorgeous.”

I blinked my tears away, walked straight to our HR department and submitted my resignation letter. It was approved immediately, obviously so Amber could fill my spot.

As I entered the elevator, Victor's siblings and Stella stepped in.