Chapter 2

My hands curled into fists, and something bitter rose in my chest. Because of a physical condition, I'd never be able to give Camille a child of her own. She knew exactly how much that fact tortured me.

"Logan and I grew up together. There's nothing romantic between us. If I have to sleep with someone, it might as well be him instead of some stranger. Once I'm pregnant, I'll tell your mother the good news. It'll make her happy," Camille said nonchalantly, like she was talking about the weather.

She shoved a bottle of pills into my hand without even looking at me. "That's Margaret's medication for the month. Don't forget to thank Logan for his little gift. Otherwise, I can't promise you'll get next month's medication on time."

After saying that, she shut the bathroom door in my face.

Seven years had already erased any memory I had of her ever loving me. Everything changed the moment Logan came back into her life.

He convinced her that the only reason I married her was for the new specialty drug her pharmaceutical company developed. It was the best treatment available for my mother's condition. Camille believed him completely, never doubting him for a second.

I stared at the pill bottle in my hand until my eyes burned red. Because of that one bottle, I'd lost my dignity. Now, I'd lost my mother too.

I refused to believe she had killed herself out of nowhere, especially since she told me she'd keep fighting and that she wanted to be there when Camille and I had a baby. To find out what really happened, I hired a private investigator to dig up evidence.

After I left his office, I went back to Camille's place. The front gates were wide open, and I could hear the sounds of a party from inside. Someone had strung balloons and streamers all over the walls, as well as a huge banner.

[Congratulations, Logan and Camille! May your love last forever!]

A crowd had gathered, cheering someone on.

"What are you waiting for? Say yes already!"

I pushed through the crowd and saw Logan down on one knee, sliding a diamond ring onto Camille's finger.

When someone spotted me, the cheering died down fast. A hundred mocking eyes turned my way.

"Well, look who's home. Camille, it's your eunuch of a husband."

"No wonder you kept the marriage a secret. Who can blame you? A husband like him isn't exactly someone you show off."

Camille looked up and met my eyes. As she slid her hand out of Logan's grip, the ring caught the light right in front of me.

"We're just playing a game. Don't read into it," she said, a little too stiffly.

I looked away and flatly replied, "Carry on. Don't mind me."

She hadn't expected me to stay so calm. Something in her expression cracked just slightly.

I pushed the bedroom door open, then immediately froze. I'd left my mother's urn in the room, but it was gone now.

"Oh, I almost forgot to mention." Logan smacked his forehead, looking a little sheepish. "We were in a rush setting up the proposal, and I saw a jar in your room that looked like it was full of decorative ash, so I used it. It's just a game of truth or dare. You don't mind, do you, bro?"

Burning with anger, I shoved through the crowd around me, and what I saw nearly drove me mad. My mother's ashes had been arranged into the shape of a heart, and bits of bone had been trampled carelessly across the floor.

I lunged at Logan and grabbed his throat. Everyone froze, stunned by how suddenly I'd snapped.

"Did you do that on purpose? Those are my mom's remains! Camille and I aren't even divorced yet, and you're already lining up to take my place?" I screamed raggedly.

Logan gasped for air under my grip, flailing his arms. "Camille, help me! Your husband's lost his mind, he's trying to kill me!"

Camille grabbed an ashtray off the table and slammed it into my head. Blood ran down my face, dripping onto my mother's ashes. I ignored the pain and scrambled to wipe the blood away with shaking hands. As Camille threw the ashtray down beside me, it shattered, and a shard cut into my fingers.

"Liam, what is wrong with you? If you're jealous, just say so. Stop pretending you don't care."