Chapter 2
He once told me my back was a masterpiece, something he'd protect forever.
Now, for his first love, he was ready to ruin it without a second thought.
So the messages were true. The skin graft was real.
And if that was true... What about the baby?
Weak as I was, I forced myself to slip out of the hospital and into a private clinic downtown for a blood test.
When the results came, my world froze. Pregnant. I was really pregnant.
The online comments echoed in my mind: [Lucas is your child's true father.]
Just then, Brantley stormed in with his security, voice sharp with irritation.
"Claire, why aren't you in your room? Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you?"
I stared at the face I once loved, now only feeling cold detachment and disgust.
Cutting him off, I slapped the test results against his chest. "I'm pregnant. I feel awful, so I'm going home."
Brantley froze, then let out a harsh laugh. "You've got to be kidding me. How could you possibly—"
He trailed off, gripping the paper, his gaze turning icy as it dropped to my stomach.
Seeing his reaction, I was almost sure the rumors were right.
Swallowing the storm inside, I forced a faint smile. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy?"
He glared, teeth clenched. "Happy? Of course I'm happy."
Not sparing him another look, I turned on my heel and walked away.
Outside the hospital, a cold gust made me shiver, but it cleared my head. I took out my phone and dialed Lucas.
The moment he answered, my voice was eerily calm. "I'm in. I'll work with you."
"But I have conditions," I added.
On the other end, Lucas chuckled low. "Name them, Claire."
I began, "First, I want a divorce from Brantley, and I want him to walk away with nothing.
"Second, I want 5% of Hawthorne Corporation shares.
"Third, help me take back Claire's Jewelry."
I lowered my gaze, a sharp pain piercing through me.
Claire's Jewelry was my mother's pride and joy, her legacy. She even named it after me.
When I married Brantley, my father Richard promised it as a wedding gift. Two years later, he still had excuses.
Lucas didn't even hesitate. "Deal."
After hanging up, I slid slowly down against the wall. Conspiring with my husband's brother, it was twisted, and it broke something inside me.
Back home, seeing those his-and-hers slippers by the door felt like a hand squeezing my heart.
The moment he drugged me, whatever we had was gone forever.
I'd barely had a chance to lie down and rest when the bedroom door swung open.
Brantley walked in, carrying a box of pastries from Sweet Haven Bakery, his face showing just the right touch of regret.
He sat on the bed and reached for my hand. "Claire, I'm sorry. I was out of line at the hospital today.
"I lost my temper. I shouldn't have acted that way toward you."
"You know, Vivian once saved my life. She's important to me."
I just watched him put on his little act, feeling nothing but a deep, hollow sadness inside.
Important, huh? Important enough to drug his wife and cut away her skin for a transplant.
I quietly pulled my hand away.
"I'm exhausted. I need to rest," I said, turning my back to him.
He paused, then said gently, "Alright. Try not to overthink things."
After showering, he slipped into bed beside me, skin still cool from the water.
My body went rigid. The man next to me felt like a stranger.
It felt like hours before Brantley got up. Only then did I relax slightly, drifting into a fitful sleep.
From the living room, Brantley's angry voice carried down the hall. "I want answers now. Find out who the hell got Claire pregnant!"
A crash followed. Likely, his phone hit the wall.
I stepped out, voice husky. "What's going on?"
Brantley stiffened, then quickly put on a concerned mask. "Claire, you're up? You should be resting. Go lie down."
Keeping calm, I angled away just enough to avoid his touch, fighting nausea.
"Don't worry about it. There's too much piled up at the office," I replied flatly.