Chapter 2

I put my phone down and kept chatting and eating with my friends.

Life felt so much freer and relaxing when my world didn't just orbit around one person.

It suddenly hit me how much time I'd wasted trying to fix what was already broken between me and Alden, stubbornly competing with his precious first love, and even using my pregnancy as a bargaining chip.

Honestly, it was downright pathetic.

I should've noticed all the people who truly cared about me, and started cherishing the moments with my family and friends way earlier.

Suddenly, I felt so much lighter. I even clinked glasses with my friends, genuinely happy for once.

It wasn't until I was lying in bed that I finally saw the dozens of missed calls and unread messages from Alden.

Alden: [Zara, you know Clarissa just gave birth. Why are you so sarcastic?]

Alden: [She just needs my help while recovering after having the baby. You and I are already married. Can you stop being so jealous and dramatic?]

Alden: [She's even blaming herself for making you upset. Can't you try to be a little more thoughtful, like she is?]

Mixed in with Alden's texts was one from Clarissa.

Clarissa: [Zara, sorry for being a hassle to Alden while I'm still recovering. I've just been super emotional lately, and I know it's made him worry and got you upset. I'm really sorry.]

I looked at my phone, totally unfazed, and replied to them both that I wasn't mad.

Me: [I'll head back after I finish catching up with my friends next week.]

Just as I was about to go to sleep, Alden called.

He said, "Zara, enjoy your time with your friends. You don't get to see them often. I was out of line earlier. Please don't be mad at me."

His voice was softer than it usually was.

It had always been this way. Every time we argued about Clarissa, he'd gently coax me, trying to make peace.

And I'd end up crying, feeling wronged, then backing down, sniffling and saying maybe I was partly to blame too.

But this time, I was just drained. I simply told him I was tired and hung up, not bothering to say anything more.

That night, I slept like a baby.

I went on a trip with my parents and didn't come home until two weeks later.

When I walked in, Clarissa was leaning against Alden, watching him gently rock the baby to sleep with a stuffed animal.

When she saw me, her smile froze for a moment.

Alden, on the other hand, lit up. He handed the baby to Clarissa and hurried over, grinning as he took my bag.

"Zara, you're looking way better these days," Alden said.

He reached out to give my cheek a playful pinch, but I dodged him.

"My parents have been spoiling me with amazing food every single day," I replied.

My dodge left him looking a bit awkward.

As he got closer, he made a point of sliding a few stuffed animals on the couch over to Clarissa's side.

He explained, "These are for Clarissa's baby. I got a friend overseas to pick them up. They're totally safe and non-toxic.

"Don't bother with these. When we have our own kid, I'll ask my friend to get us some new ones."

I chuckled. "That won't be necessary."

Alden's face clouded over. "Zara, don't come back with that passive-aggressive attitude. Clarissa is still recovering from having the baby.

"And really, what's the point of holding a grudge against a newborn?"

Clarissa cradled the baby, looking all pleased with herself.

I didn't bother clearing up their misunderstanding, and couldn't even be bothered to mention that I'd already aborted our child.

"I just mean Minnie is all I need," I said.

Minnie was my cat.

I called out for Minnie, glancing around to see where she was.

Alden trailed after me, looking a bit apologetic.

"Zara, Clarissa's allergic to cat fur, so I had to send Minnie to a friend's place," he said.

At the same time, I opened the bedroom door. What I saw stopped me in my tracks.

The room that used to be mine was now a full-on nursery.

Alden had sent Minnie away just like that, all for Clarissa's sake. My eyes went red and I couldn't get a word out.

Funny thing was, Minnie was always so attached to Alden, too.

My master bedroom now had a crib. The closet was stuffed with Clarissa's clothes, and my makeup table was a mess. She'd used my things and left them scattered everywhere.

Even the photo wall I'd made with all the memories of me and Alden had been ripped apart, and now there were just piles of diapers dumped underneath.

When Alden saw my eyes filling with tears, he was about to say something. But right then, the baby in Clarissa's arms started crying, and she cried right along with the baby.

Alden glared at me, then hurried over to Clarissa, scooped up the baby, and tried to calm them both down, murmuring soft words to Clarissa as well.

"Zara, every time you come back, it's nothing but drama. Clarissa and the baby have never been this upset before," Alden said.

I held back my tears and looked at him, keeping my voice steady.

I said, "What did I even say or do? You sent Minnie away, turned my room into a nursery, and I haven't complained or demanded anything from you. Did I make a fuss?"

Alden just stood there, speechless, focusing on calming the baby instead.

Clarissa, who'd just been bawling, now started sniffling.

"Alden, I'm scared Zara's gonna be mad and hate me even more. I really can't stand myself lately, always so moody and weak," she whimpered.

I could see right through Clarissa's act.

Having Alden wasn't enough for her. She wanted to have a home with him, too.

And that home couldn't have a single trace of me left behind. Even my cat had to go.

Clarissa was never allergic to cats, and Alden knew that damn well.

But seeing her act all fragile just made Alden even more desperate to protect her.

He said, "Zara, this is how it's gotta be if we're going to look after Clarissa and the baby.

"I'm taking Clarissa and the baby to the postnatal center for a checkup this week. It's up to you if you stay or leave."

I didn't care. I was going to get my cat back.