Chapter 2 The Name He Chose

Chloe searched for a while, then came back empty-handed. "That's weird. The IDs aren't here."

She picked up her phone. "I'll ask my husband."

The call connected, and she put it on speaker. "Honey, where did you put our IDs? I'm trying to get a copy of our marriage certificate, and I can't find them."

Hunter's voice came through the phone, warm with affection. "You tore it up again? Honestly, you're a mother now, and you're still such a child."

She pouted playfully. "Then, where did you put them?"

"I have them. I took them with me because I was out looking at houses for you today. I'll bring them home when I get back."

"Then, hurry. I'll be waiting."

"I will. Did you buy the baby's formula?"

"I did. The brand you recommended."

"Good girl. I'll see you soon."

The call ended, and Chloe smiled so brightly it almost hurt to look at. "My husband's on his way home now. Sorry to keep you waiting. Oh, let me show you my son."

She took my hand and led me toward the bedroom. "He's six months old. He's the cutest thing."

I followed her numbly until we reached the nursery. Only then did I fully register where I was. A fair, chubby baby was sleeping peacefully in the crib.

Chloe leaned over the railing, her face glowing with a mother's tenderness. "Isn't he adorable? My husband says he looks just like me."

I stood beside her, feeling the cold spread through my body. They even had a child together.

Hunter and I had been married for five years. I had gotten pregnant once, six months ago. At seven months, I went into premature labor, and we lost the baby.

Afterward, Hunter said we should focus on his career and wait before trying again.

I thought he was worried I was still grieving. I never questioned it. Now I knew the truth. It was not that he did not want another child. He simply did not want one with me.

"What's his name?" I asked.

Chloe's smile grew even sweeter. "Ross Hayes. My husband picked it. He said it meant something special to him."

The world seemed to explode around me.

Ross. That was the name Hunter and I had chosen together.

When I first found out I was pregnant, he said we should pick a beautiful name for our baby. I suggested several before we finally settled on Ross. Because my name was Rose, he had told me Ross would always remind him of me.

"Why was it so special?" I asked before I could stop myself.

Chloe let out a quiet sigh. "My husband's first wife was named Rose. She died in childbirth, and the baby didn't survive either. He chose this name to remember her."

I looked at her, bitterness filling my mouth until I could not speak.

Her expression dimmed.

"You probably think I'm childish for tearing up our marriage certificate every time we fight, but the truth is… I've never really felt secure. He loved his late wife that much. Who's to say one day he won't…"

She trailed off.

I stood beside the crib, staring at the sleeping baby. My chest ached. If the child I had lost at seven months had survived, my baby would have been about this age now.

"So, he told you his first wife died in childbirth?"

Chloe nodded with a faint smile. "Yeah. It devastated him. He didn't get over it for years. Then he met me, and little by little, he started to move on. Sometimes I think it was fate. I look a little like her."

I studied her face. She looked nothing like me. But if we had one thing in common, it was that we were both fools.

"Does he treat you well?" I asked.

Her eyes lit up. "He does. He's wonderful. He's just busy all the time. But he promised that after a few more years, he'll hand the company over to someone else and take me traveling around the world."

I nodded. He had made that same promise to me. Five years ago.