Chapter 2

My teeth caught the tip of my tongue without warning, and the sharp metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. As thunder continued to roll outside, I instinctively reached for his hand and curled my fingers around his.

"I'm scared too."

"Nina, stop it."

A flicker of impatience crossed his face, and his voice was cold and dismissive. "If you're scared, just pretend it's another one of those pranks to make you braver."

That prank again.

Everything that had happened that night was still playing on a loop in my mind. Blake could see how deathly pale I was, yet there was not a trace of concern in his eyes.

"Nina Bennett, acting helpless over and over just to get sympathy only makes me more fed up with you."

With that, he shook off my hand and strode out of the room.

My lips curved into a faint, humorless smile.

To him, every fear I confessed and every plea for help was nothing more than pointless whining. Yet all it took was one word from Jenna to send him racing to her side.

I suddenly remembered what had happened a month earlier, when Jenna had just returned from abroad.

Half joking and half testing him, I had asked whether he would leave me for the one who had always held a special place in his heart.

He had ruffled my hair and laughed.

"Silly girl. No matter how perfect she may have seemed, she's still part of the past. Nobody comes close to my Nina."

Violent cramps twisted through my stomach, followed by a rush of nausea.

I staggered to the bathroom and dry-heaved, leaving my entire body weak and drained.

Our ragdoll cat, Pudding, seemed to sense that I was unwell and padded over to rub against my ankle.

"Pudding, I'm fine."

I stroked her head, my emotions in turmoil.

Only the day before, I had discovered that I was three weeks pregnant. I had planned to tell Blake that day and surprise him, but now I suddenly saw no reason to.

The night had gone deathly quiet when Jenna posted a photo of a table covered with beautifully prepared dishes.

The caption read: "Blake's cooking just keeps getting better~"

My nose began to sting.

Just then, a private message from Blake appeared on my phone.

"The rain is too heavy, so I won't be coming home tonight.

"Get some sleep and make sure you stay warm."

I stared at the screen without typing a single word in reply. Instead, I opened an email that had been sitting unanswered for weeks.

My company had sent it the previous month, inviting me to take a position in Jadenborough. Since all my friends and family were in Norhamere, I had rejected the offer without a second thought.

Now, I could only see how foolish and ridiculous I had been.

My fingers moved swiftly across the screen as I typed my response.

"Mr. Shaw, I would like to accept the transfer and am prepared to proceed in accordance with the company's arrangements."

The next morning, noises outside the bedroom woke me. When I opened the door, I found Jenna sitting in my usual place at the dining table, eating breakfast.

She greeted me with a gentle smile, though the challenge in her eyes was unmistakable.

Blake emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron.

"You're up?" he said casually. "We're out of groceries. Go pick some up."

I stared at him, my voice turning cold. "What is she doing in my home?"

Blake frowned as though there was nothing about the situation that warranted such a question.

"Jenna's place flooded because of the heavy rain.

"She just got back and doesn't have any friends here. Where else is she supposed to stay if not with us?"

"Can't she stay at a hotel?"

"Why waste money on that?"

Before I could say anything else, Jenna cut in.

"Nina, if you don't want me here, I'll move to a hotel right now. I don't want to intrude on you two."

"Go ahead," I replied without expression.

Blake immediately stepped protectively in front of Jenna, his brow furrowing even deeper. "Nina Bennett, do you have to be so petty about everything?"

"Fine. Then I'll leave."

"You're being unreasonable again."

I pressed my lips together and said nothing. Turning away, I went back to the bedroom to pack my bags.