Chapter 2

Ashlee's POV

Mareya Burruss… I remembered now.

She had indeed worked as an executive secretary for a period of time in my past life. No wonder she had looked so familiar at the funeral.

A mocking smile tugged at my lips. So, she had already been appearing right under my nose this early on.

I went home. Not long after, Ruben returned as well.

He got back into bed and pulled me into his arms. Before long, his breathing settled into a steady rhythm.

…

The next morning, he got up to prepare breakfast for me like usual.

"I made your favorite omelette today."

The way he acted as though he hadn't snuck out the night before made me feel sick.

I started wondering how many mornings—both in my past life and this one—that I'd mistaken for happiness were actually just a facade after he'd come back from seeing another woman.

I ignored the hand he extended toward me, let alone touch the breakfast he made me.

"I told you we're breaking up. Do you not understand that?"

His expression stiffened. A flash of panic flickered in his eyes as he lowered them. "Ashlee, I won't break up."

I sneered.

"Because you don't want to give up this house? Fine. I'll move out then. Right now."

"No, that's not it!" he denied hurriedly.

Seeing the blank expression on my face, his shoulders visibly slumped.

"I'll leave. You don't have to go. But we're not breaking up. You just take some time to calm down."

With that, he untied his apron and walked out of the house looking defeated.

…

That afternoon, while preparing documents for my move abroad, I noticed Ruben's phone location was at that townhouse again.

I decided to just show up there and expose all his lies, ending everything once and for all. But just as I arrived, I saw his black Maybach speeding away.

I followed him all the way, finally stopping outside the OB-GYN department at the hospital.

My heart plummeted.

I saw him carry Mareya in his arms and enter an examination room. Standing quietly outside, I peered through the crack of the door.

The doctor handed over the ultrasound report. "Congratulations, you're pregnant. You're five weeks along, and the baby is developing very well."

Mareya's face lit up with pure joy, while Ruben pressed his lips tightly together, his expression hard to read.

"Ruben, we're having a baby! You're going to be a father!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into his arms, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

He chuckled softly as he stroked her face. "Yeah."

…

After leaving the hospital, the two of them got back into their car, while I followed at a comfortable distance.

Soon, the sound of their arguing came through the headphones once again.

"What are you saying? You want me to let Ashlee raise my baby?" she cried out. "Have you lost your mind? That's my baby!"

"Ashlee was injured when she was young. She can't have children," he said flatly. "So, after you give birth, I'll arrange for the baby to be adopted and raised by her."

My eyes widened. I slammed on the brakes, but even the screeching of the tires couldn't drown out the frantic beating in my chest.

That child… Everything suddenly clicked into place.

In my past life, about a year after the proposal, Ruben had used my infertility as a reason to convince me to adopt a child.

At that time, I had indeed felt guilty about being unable to conceive, and I believed we needed a child, too. Thus, I agreed.

I burst out laughing. I laughed so hard that tears streamed down my face.

So, that child—the child I had raised my whole life, the child into whom I had poured everything I had—was his and Mareya's.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly. The overwhelming sense of absurdity and grief made my entire body shake uncontrollably.

I started dry heaving, and my eyes turned bloodshot.

Through the earphones, I heard Ruben say in a tone that allowed no argument, "This isn't up for discussion. I promise that you can keep and raise the next child yourself."

Though she was still crying, she gave in to his demand.

I burst out laughing again. I laughed at how the happy life I believed I had in my past life was merely layer upon layer of deception and betrayal.

The two of them returned to the townhouse. Half an hour later, I arrived as well.

I stepped out of my car, walked up to the front door, and rang the doorbell.