Chapter 2

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtain gaps, but none of its warmth reached me.

I hadn't slept a bit last night, and my eyes were swollen like walnuts.

Suddenly, my phone screen lit up with a dozen unread messages from Nathan.

[Lila, you have to understand. Olivia really needs care right now.]

[She's carrying my child. I can't leave her alone.]

[We'll have the wedding another time. Come stay at my place for now, okay?]

Every message stabbed straight into my heart.

I let out a cold laugh and tossed my phone aside.

Just then, the doorbell rang. I dragged my exhausted body to answer.

Ethan was at the door, holding breakfast and a hot coffee.

"I figured you hadn't eaten," he said softly.

My eyes welled up again. I quickly turned away, not wanting him to see.

Ethan slipped in, quietly closing the door behind him before setting the breakfast on the table.

Then he took my phone away and said, "Don't waste your tears on those texts."

"How did you know..." I looked up at him, surprised.

"I get Nathan—and I understand you too," he smiled, handing me the coffee. "Here, drink up. It'll help."

As the rich scent of coffee filled the room, I felt myself slowly start to calm down.

"Am I being foolish?" I whispered.

"Nope, you're just too good-hearted," Ethan replied, sitting across from me. "That isn't a fault."

I bit down on my lip, fighting back tears.

"Wanna hear what's really going on with Olivia's pregnancy?" Ethan suddenly asked.

My head snapped up. "What do you mean?"

"I've got a buddy at the hospital," Ethan said, pulling out his phone. "He checked Olivia's records for me—turns out, she's already three months pregnant."

I frowned, the timeline clicking into place. "Three months ago, Henry just passed away."

"Exactly. Nathan left for a business trip just a week after the funeral and was out of the country for a whole month," Ethan said, giving me a meaningful look.

My brain raced. "So the baby can't possibly be Nathan's."

"Unless before Henry's funeral, he and Olivia were already..." Ethan didn't finish, but I understood perfectly.

A wave of nausea hit me. I rushed to the bathroom and started retching.

"You alright?" Ethan gently patted my back.

I managed to steady myself at the sink, rinsing my mouth. "I'm okay, just feeling queasy."

When I got back to the living room, my phone buzzed again—Nathan was calling.

"Answer it. Put it on speaker," Ethan suggested.

I picked up, switching to speaker, and Nathan's nervous voice instantly filled the room. "Lila, why haven't you answered my messages?"

"I've been thinking about what you said last night," I replied, doing my best to keep calm.

"I see," Nathan said, his voice turning casual. "Glad you're on board. Olivia needs a quiet environment for her pregnancy. Keep it down when you move in."

My fingers gripped the sofa cushion tightly.

"And, uh, by the way—could you bring over your engagement gifts? Olivia needs some nutrition supplements," Nathan went on.

Ethan shook his head, signaling me to stay calm.

"Sure, I'll come by this afternoon," I said, barely containing my anger.

After hanging up, I couldn't hold back anymore. "What a total jerk!" I spat out.

"Take it easy, Lila," Ethan said, placing his hand firmly on my shoulder. "Anger won't solve anything."

"Then what should I do?" I asked helplessly.

"Gather evidence first," Ethan replied, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Then make him pay."

I took a deep breath. "Will you help me?"

"Absolutely," he replied, no hesitation at all. "Not just for you, but for everyone he's hurt."

*****

That afternoon, I arrived at Nathan's place as I promised.

Olivia was half-reclining on the sofa, with Nathan feeding her fruit.

He just nodded when I entered. "You're here. Drop your luggage off in the guest room."

I stood still. "Guest room?"

"The master bedroom's for Olivia. She needs more space," Nathan said, as if that was perfectly normal.

Olivia shot me a smug look and rubbed her belly deliberately. "Oh, the baby just kicked me."

Nathan immediately rushed over. "Really? Can I feel it?"

I watched the scene, my heart breaking.

"Nathan, here's the list of my engagement gifts," I said as I handed him a document.

He glanced over it quickly. "Looks fine. Just bring everything over."

I nodded with a smile. "Okay, I'll move everything tomorrow."

As soon as I stepped out of Nathan's place, I called Ethan. "I need your help."

"Always ready," he answered briefly.

The next day, I showed up at Nathan's place with several big boxes.

Nathan's eyes lit up. "You brought everything?"

"Yeah, all the good stuff," I replied with a mysterious smile.

Olivia leaned in curiously. "Come on, open them up."

I took my time opening the first box—filled with my clothes.

Nathan frowned. "What's this?"

"My clothes," I said, playing dumb. "Didn't you want me to move in?"

Olivia's face immediately soured. "You said you'd bring your engagement gifts over, didn't you?"

"They're with my parents," I replied, feigning surprise. "You really thought I'd haul them over here?"

Nathan's face darkened. "Lila, don't play games with me."

"I wouldn't dream of it," I replied, flashing my sweetest smile. "Besides, I've been thinking—I shouldn't interrupt you taking care of Olivia."

"What do you mean?" Nathan asked warily.

"Let's break up," I said calmly.

Olivia froze for a moment, then flashed me a triumphant grin.

But Nathan panicked. "No way. We agreed to raise the baby together, didn't we?"

"That's your kid, not mine," I said, turning to leave.

He grabbed my wrist. "Don't do this—just calm down, okay?"

"Let her go," a cold voice said from the doorway.