Chapter 2

When I returned to the Marino estate, I contacted someone Rachel had recommended and arranged for a forged miscarriage report.

According to the document, I'd lost my baby after suffering severe emotional distress.

I took out a sheet of paper and began writing Lucian a letter. My hand trembled so badly that I had to start over several times.

When I finally finished, I folded the letter and placed it inside a thick envelope, along with the false medical report and copies of the evidence Chloe had sent me.

I sealed it carefully.

Then I went downstairs and sat on the living room sofa.

The afternoon faded into evening, but I didn't turn on the lights. I simply stared at the front door, remembering how I used to wait there whenever Lucian returned from Family business.

Back then, hearing his footsteps had been the happiest moment of my day.

Now I dreaded seeing him.

It was nearly nine when the front door finally opened.

"Audrey?"

The lights suddenly came on.

Lucian froze in the doorway.

"Jesus, sweetheart! Why are you sitting here in the dark?"

He hurried toward me, his expression filled with alarm.

"Are you feeling sick again? Should I call the doctor?"

I looked at his worried face and managed a faint smile.

"I'm fine. I was just waiting for you."

Lucian crouched beside me and took my hands.

"You scared me. You're pregnant now, darling. You have to take better care of yourself."

I nodded, then picked up the envelope beside me.

"Lucian, I have something for you."

His eyebrows lifted.

"What's this?"

"Our third wedding anniversary is in five days. I wanted to give you your present early, but you have to promise not to open it until that day."

For a moment, he looked surprised. Then his face lit up.

"You already prepared my anniversary gift?"

"Will you promise?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

He turned the envelope over curiously before slipping it into the inside pocket of his jacket.

"I'll keep it with me every single day," he said with a grin. "And I'll spend every one of those days looking forward to opening it."

My heart twisted painfully.

He looked so delighted, like a boy who had just received his first Christmas present.

I wondered whether he'd still be smiling when he finally opened that envelope.

Lucian leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

"Thank you, baby. I love you."

I lowered my eyes.

Once, hearing those words had made me feel like the luckiest woman alive.

Now they only reminded me of everything he'd hidden.

"Have you eaten dinner?" he asked.

I shook my head.

His expression immediately turned serious.

"Audrey, you can't keep skipping meals, especially now that you're pregnant."

Before I could say anything, he stood and rolled up his sleeves.

"Stay right here. I'll cook you a steak."

"Lucian, you must be tired. The staff can—"

"No." He smiled. "I haven't cooked for my beautiful wife in ages. Let me spoil you a little."

I watched him disappear into the kitchen.

Soon, the familiar sound of sizzling butter filled the room.

For a moment, it almost felt like an ordinary evening in our marriage.

Then my phone vibrated.

A message from Chloe.

She'd sent me a video.

I hesitated before pressing play.

The screen showed a dimly lit bedroom. Lucian lay beside Chloe, his arm wrapped around her waist.

She whispered something into his ear, and he laughed before pulling her into a passionate kiss.

The recording continued, leaving absolutely no doubt about the intimacy between them.

My chest tightened so violently that I struggled to breathe.

I wanted to turn it off, but I couldn't.

I watched until the very end.

That was my husband. The man who kissed me every morning and promised I was the only woman he would ever want.

Apparently, he had been just as loving with my sister.

Tears blurred my vision and spilled down my cheeks.

I didn't even notice Lucian coming back until he spoke.

"Audrey?" He was carrying two plates of steak.

The moment he saw my face, he set them down and rushed over.

"Sweetheart, why are you crying?"

He knelt in front of me, visibly frightened.

"Did someone hurt you? Tell me who it was. I'll make them regret it."

I quickly turned my phone facedown.

"No one."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I just watched a really touching video." I forced a smile. "The doctor said pregnancy hormones can make me emotional. I guess that's what's happening."

Lucian studied me for another moment before finally relaxing.

"Oh, baby. You frightened me."

He pulled me against his chest and gently stroked my hair.

"Come on. Let's eat before the food gets cold."

At the dining table, he carefully cut my steak into small pieces, then lifted a forkful toward my mouth.

"Here, sweetheart. Open up."

I obediently took the bite.

He smiled, looking pleased with himself.

As I watched him, I realized something that made my heart ache even more.

I still loved him.

Despite everything Chloe had shown me, I couldn't simply erase three years of marriage.

My love for Lucian was like a thread wrapped around my heart. Pulling it free would tear through flesh and leave me bleeding.

I looked into his eyes.

Perhaps, if I asked him directly, he would finally tell me the truth.

"Lucian, is—"

His phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, and his expression changed.

Almost simultaneously, my own phone lit up beneath the table.

Chloe had sent another message.

Watch me. One message, and he'll leave you to spend tonight with us.

Lucian put down his fork.

"Sweetheart, something urgent has come up. I need to handle it."

He started to rise.

I reached out and caught his hand.

"Lucian," I whispered, holding on to my last shred of hope. "Can you please stay with me tonight?"