Chapter 2
Charles's voice turned icy when he heard my reply.
His eyes bored into me, suspicion written all over his face.
He said, "Talia, you know exactly what I mean.
"I don't buy a single word you say."
I gave a self-deprecating smile.
I said, "I know you don't love me anymore, so why would I waste my energy trying to cling to you with a child?
"This really is my child with my husband. No one else is involved."
The basement felt colder and colder, the chill seeping into my bones.
My lips went numb and started to tremble.
Charles finally spoke up, "We'll go to the hospital together tomorrow for an amniocentesis. If the test proves the kid isn't mine, I'll say sorry."
That was about as much mercy as Charles would ever show me.
I nodded and quietly made my way upstairs.
The coffee my husband ordered arrived quickly, and there was a cute sticky note on the cup: [extra sugar].
My heart warmed a little. After turning in my project results, I submitted my resignation to HR.
When a couple lives apart, that's when problems are most likely to pop up.
During those three months I spent clinging to Charles, I learned all about his past with Isabelle.
Turns out, they went way back.
Isabelle was with Charles all through those five years overseas.
Back then, neither of them had any idea what the future held.
Charles had me as his fiancée.
Isabelle still hadn't made up her mind about whether she wanted to move back home.
Finally, Charles was willing to risk the wrath of the Sinclair family, break off our engagement, and choose her. He was all in for Isabelle, no doubt about it.
His feelings for her had taken root ages ago; it was only at that moment that they finally came to fruition.
Early the next morning, as soon as I got to the hospital, I saw Charles looking sharp in his suit.
Isabelle was by his side, rocking a bold red dress.
I didn't really care if someone else won him over, but I just couldn't stand the type of woman like Isabelle. She knew Charles was engaged and still went after him anyway.
She hooked her arm through his, shooting me a bright, almost smug smile.
"Hey, Talia. You finally made it. We've been waiting forever," Isabelle said, her voice all sweet and cheerful.
I glanced at my watch. It was right on the dot at nine.
"We agreed on nine, Ms. Hart. No need to act like I'm the one holding everyone up," I said.
Isabelle's smile froze for a second, and she gave Charles a helpless look, clearly hoping he'd bail her out.
We'd been butting heads for ages, and honestly, I was always in the right. But Isabelle could always count on Charles to take her side.
This time, I was still in the right, but for once, Charles didn't jump in to defend her. That was a first.
"Let's go in for the checkup," Charles said, his tone calm and businesslike.
Isabelle puffed up her cheeks in frustration and shot me a dirty look.
I ignored her completely and headed straight into the exam room.
Even if we put a rush on it, we'd still have to wait three days for the results.
The next day, after I finished up my visa paperwork, I headed over to the Sinclair Estate to visit Albert.
Unexpectedly, Charles was there as well.
Charles looked genuinely surprised to see me, then frowned and stood in the doorway, blocking me from coming in.
"The results aren't even out yet, and you're already rushing to tell Albert?" Charles said, his tone sharp.
I couldn't help but let out a sarcastic laugh, more annoyed than anything.
"I thought after everything, you'd finally believe me. Guess you still think I'm lying, huh?" I said, shaking my head in disbelief.
Charles said flatly, his face unreadable, "Lying is second nature to you. Why would I ever trust you?"
Even though we were already over, it still tore me up inside that he could still think the worst of me.
It hurt deep down, no matter how much I tried to ignore it.
Maybe this was just what heartbreak feels like, something I had to go through before I could finally move on.
With a self-mocking smile, I replied, not bothering to hide my annoyance, "Standing in my way won't do you any good. I'm seeing Albert today, no matter what you do."
Albert was the one who treated me best in the Sinclair family.
Before I left the country, I wanted to say a proper goodbye to him.
Charles stepped right in front of me, blocking my path.
He refused to budge and had the maid take the gift from my hands.
"I'll give this to Albert for you. Don't even think about seeing him until the results are in," he said, making it clear there was no room for negotiation.
I didn't want to air our dirty laundry in front of everyone at the Sinclair Estate.
Once the maid left, I couldn't hold back anymore and snapped at Charles, my anger spilling out, "I told you, the baby isn't yours."
"And how exactly are you going to prove that?" Charles shot back.
Charles's eyes fixated on me, staring me down.
The way he looked at me sent a chill down my spine.
I watched as he pulled out the pregnancy test report from a couple of days ago, his eyes blazing with fury as he stared me down.
"The baby's already fourteen weeks along. You've only been married for two months. So, tell me, if this kid isn't mine, whose is it?" Charles shot back, his tone icy and accusatory.