Chapter 5: The First Lie

I couldn't stop staring at the pill packet.

The tiny white tablets looked harmless.

Ordinary.

But one of them wasn't the same shape as the others.

It was only a slight difference—small enough that I might never have noticed if I hadn't turned the packet over again and again.

A chill crawled up my spine.

I had trusted those pills.

Kilan had trusted them.

Our entire marriage had depended on them.

I slipped the packet into my handbag, grabbed my keys, and left the house.

The drive to Dr. Grey's clinic felt longer than usual.

Questions chased one another through my mind.

Had the pharmacy made a mistake?

Had I been careless?

Or...

Had someone wanted me to become pregnant?

The last thought sounded ridiculous.

Why would anyone do that?

By the time I parked outside the clinic, my palms were damp with sweat.

Dr. Grey welcomed me into her office with a warm smile that quickly faded when she saw my expression.

"What happened?"

I placed the blister pack on her desk.

"I think something's wrong."

She picked it up and examined it carefully.

"What makes you say that?"

I pointed to the odd-looking tablet.

"This one."

She adjusted her glasses.

"It does look different."

My pulse quickened.

"You see it too?"

"I do."

She turned the packet over several times before looking back at me.

"I can't tell you why it's different just by looking at it."

"So..."

"I'd like to send it to a laboratory."

Hope and fear collided inside me.

"You mean they can find out what it is?"

She nodded.

"If it's been substituted or contaminated, the analysis should tell us."

My breathing slowed slightly.

"I need to know."

"We'll have the results as soon as possible."

She gently pushed the packet aside.

"In the meantime, stop taking these immediately."

"I already have."

She opened a drawer and handed me a small bottle.

"These are prenatal vitamins."

I stared at them.

Prenatal.

The word made everything feel real.

Dr. Grey smiled gently.

"I know this pregnancy came as a shock."

"I still don't know how to feel."

"You don't have to decide today."

She folded her hands together.

"But whether this pregnancy was planned or unexpected, those babies deserve a healthy mother."

My eyes drifted to my stomach.

Babies.

Not a contract violation.

Not a mistake.

Babies.

For the first time since hearing their heartbeats, I rested my hand over my abdomen without fear.

A tiny smile found its way onto my lips.

"I'll take care of them."

Dr. Grey smiled back.

"I believe you will."

The bottle of prenatal vitamins felt surprisingly heavy inside my handbag as I walked out of the clinic.

I wasn't ready to tell Kilan.

Not yet.

Not until I understood what had happened.

Not until I knew whether this pregnancy had truly been an accident.

I crossed the parking lot toward my car.

Then I stopped.

A familiar black sedan was parked near the entrance of the neighboring medical building.

Kilan's car.

My heartbeat quickened.

Why was he here?

I instinctively stepped behind one of the concrete pillars.

Moments later, he emerged from the building.

He wasn't alone.

Sophia walked beside him.

She was laughing at something he'd said.

I couldn't hear their conversation.

Didn't need to.

She reached up and straightened his tie with practiced ease.

The gesture was so natural...

So intimate...

As though she'd done it a hundred times before.

Kilan didn't pull away.

He simply looked down at her, a faint smile touching his lips.

I had spent three years wishing he would smile at me like that.

Three years.

And I'd never once seen it.

My throat tightened.

The envelope containing my ultrasound pictures suddenly felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

He looked happy.

Genuinely happy.

Would that smile disappear the moment he learned I was carrying his children?

Or would it disappear because those children were mine?

I lowered my head before either of them could notice me.

Without another glance, I climbed into my car.

By the time I reached home, one decision had settled heavily in my heart.

I wouldn't tell him.

Not now.

Maybe...

Not ever.

If Kilan truly wanted Sophia...

I wouldn't use two innocent babies to keep him tied to a marriage he never wanted.

Tears blurred my vision as I whispered into the empty car,

"I'm sorry."

I wasn't sure whether I was apologizing to myself...

Or to the two little hearts beating inside me.

That evening, the mansion felt unusually quiet.

I had just finished arranging fresh flowers in the living room when the doorbell rang.

I frowned.

Kilan wasn't expected home for another hour.

When I opened the door, I froze.

Sophia stood on the doorstep carrying an elegant white pastry box.

She smiled warmly.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

I forced myself to return the smile.

"Not at all."

"I was nearby and thought I'd bring dessert."

"That's thoughtful."

She stepped inside, looking around with quiet admiration.

"It's a beautiful home."

"It is."

"It suits Kilan."

The words stung more than they should have.

As though she already imagined herself living here.

"I'll make some tea," I offered.

"That would be lovely."

I walked toward the kitchen, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling creeping over me.

While the kettle heated, I searched the cupboard for teacups.

A minute later, I realized I'd forgotten the sugar bowl in the pantry.

"I'll be right back."

"Take your time," Sophia called sweetly.

I disappeared into the pantry for less than a minute.

When I returned, Sophia was standing exactly where I'd left her.

Smiling.

Calm.

Perfect.

Nothing seemed out of place.

We chatted politely over tea.

She spoke about Paris.

I nodded when appropriate.

She complimented the house.

I thanked her.

Every word felt rehearsed.

Every smile felt false.

After half an hour, she stood.

"I should go."

I walked her to the front door.

"It was nice seeing you again."

"You too."

She leaned in and hugged me lightly.

"So... take care of yourself, Lisa."

Something about the way she said it sent another shiver down my spine.

After she left, I locked the door and leaned against it, exhausted.

Upstairs, I placed my handbag on the bed.

The zipper was slightly open.

I frowned.

Had I left it that way?

I reached inside to take out my wallet.

Instead, my fingers brushed against the bottle of prenatal vitamins.

For a heartbeat, I simply stared at it.

Then a horrible realization settled over me.

I hadn't taken the vitamins out at the clinic.

They'd been inside my handbag the entire time.

The same handbag I'd left alone in the living room...

With Sophia.

My blood ran cold.