Chapter 2

Gerardo sat on the edge of the bed and watched me for a while. After he saw my breathing was steady, he tiptoed out of the bedroom.

After he left, I winced as I pulled out the IV needle and then slipped quietly to the door of the study.

Gerardo was on the phone, his voice anxious but full of concern.

"Celia, why do you have a fever? Is it because you're not feeling good about the food or your stay at the church? Want me to come and pick you up right now?"

Celia's voice sounded soft and a little whiny, playing up her sadness for attention.

She sniffled, saying, "Gerardo, I dreamed of Morgan last night."

"He told me that he wanted you to look after me instead of him, but… you're his uncle. Isn't that just too weird?"

Gerardo paused, then his tone grew gentle.

He said, "I promised I'd take care of you, so there's no way I'm letting you go through anything rough at the church.

"And honestly, whatever people think—I couldn't care less. Don't let that stress you out, alright?"

Celia's voice grew soft and a little teasing. "Alright, since Morgan literally visited me in my dream last night… Gerardo, can you come pick me up tomorrow? I miss you so much."

I felt like I was about to lose it, so I practically fled back to my room.

I had no idea how much time had passed before Gerardo finally pushed open the bedroom door.

I pretended to have just woken up, rubbing my red eyes. "Gerardo?"

Gerardo smiled and kissed my forehead. "Honey, I have to go on a business trip tomorrow. You're still not feeling well. How about you stay with Mom for a few days?"

My heart gave a painful squeeze.

Even now, after everything, he was still lying to me.

Ever since Morgan passed away, Gerardo was out of town on business trips nearly half the month.

When I asked him why he was always so busy, he just held me close, a look of regret and helplessness in his eyes.

He said, "With Morgan gone, all the company business fell on me. I really hate leaving you home by yourself. How about coming with me on my trips?"

Back then, I was floating in happiness, worried I'd just trouble him, so I turned down his offer.

But now, here he was, using that business trip excuse all over again.

Were all those trips really just so he could be with Celia the whole time?

Gerardo's soft "Honey?" pulled me back to reality.

His gentle voice snapped me from my messy thoughts.

I nodded.

Gerardo jumped up, couldn't wait to start packing his things—and kept assuring me as he did.

He said, "It's just three days. I promise I'll be back on the third day."

I forced a smile. "Alright. Your birthday's in three days. I'll get you the kind of birthday present you'll never forget."

Early the next morning, Gerardo and I went our separate ways.

He went to the church.

I went to Heidi's place.

Heidi, Gerardo's mother, looked me up and down and gave a chilly snort. "What are you doing here? Who asked you to show up at my door?"

"Three whole years of marriage and you still haven't popped out a single kid—not even a bun in the oven. And you still have the guts to come here?"

If it were the old me, I would've just given her a cold look and walked out.

But now, I put on my sweetest smile, hugged Heidi's arm affectionately, and leaned in close.

I said, "That's exactly why I came over today."

"Celia went to the church for a retreat, didn't she? She told me it's amazing for people who want kids. Could you go with me, please?"

Heidi shot me a look of surprise.

I watched her expectantly.

She paused, eyes cast down as she considered, then gently pried my arm off. "I'll go change."

Two hours later, I was kneeling at the altar in the church, pouring my heart into every prayer.

I begged for blessings for my father who'd passed away, for help in finding the proof I needed, and for a way out—so I could finally break free from Gerardo.

Heidi couldn't wait to drag me over to the statue of the goddess of fertility.

But halfway there, I clutched my stomach and faked a sudden pain, then slipped off toward the meditation rooms in the back of the church.

The courtyard was practically deserted, and I only caught snatches of conversation carried by the wind.

Careful not to make a sound, I crept closer, drawn by the voices.

Celia's syrupy, flirtatious voice floated out from the meditation room.

"Gerardo, I really miss you," she cooed.

Gerardo just let Celia cling to him, all indulgent, gazing at her with a softness that felt almost unreal.

My pulse was about to explode out of my chest as I secretly pressed my phone up to the window crack, snapped a couple of photos, then slipped away—I couldn't bear to watch another second.

Ugh, just seeing them together was enough to make my eyes feel dirty.

Heidi gave me an impatient look as soon as she saw me. "Where have you been? What took you so long?

"Go pray to the goddess of fertility, quick! We still need to stop by and see Celia after you're done.

"That girl is really hung up. Ever since Morgan died, she's just shut herself away in this place."

I sneered inwardly.

A quiet place like this? Yeah, it was perfect for sneaking around and doing all sorts of shady stuff without anyone catching on.

After I finished praying, Celia was already standing next to Heidi.

The two of them were arm in arm, looking all cozy and close.

Celia glanced at the necklace hanging around Heidi's neck, her smile tinged with bitterness. "Gerardo keeps sending me all sorts of jewelry—even just a few days ago, he brought me a pink diamond.

"But here in the church, where I'm supposed to be living simply, how could I possibly wear flashy gold and diamonds for my retreat?"