Chapter 2

Matthias and I had known each other and stuck together for almost a decade now, so I could say with confidence—he really loved this kid, loved him with all his heart.

Suddenly, I remembered that sixth year of our marriage, when I caught a flicker of envy in his eyes as he watched other people's kids.

I loved him, so all I wanted was to give him a child.

I was someone who was terrified of pain, but for Matthias, I endured countless injections, swallowed mouthfuls of bitter herbal medicine, and even went through in vitro fertilization.

Those long, thin needles piercing into my ovaries—how could I not be scared? 'Honestly, I was shaking inside,' I thought to myself.

But still, I gritted my teeth and endured it all, clinging to the hope that maybe, just maybe, I'd get to see Matthias's dream come true.

But no matter how hard I tried, there was never any sign of a baby.

Matthias saw me day after day, fading away with worry and sorrow, and his eyes grew red with the ache of it.

He bent down, resting his head in my lap, his shoulders shaking as he cried. "Hey, sweetheart, let's just let go of this whole having-a-baby thing, okay? I don't care about that anymore—you're all I want."

His tears fell, one after another, onto my hand. Right then, I felt it deep down—he really meant it; he was hurting for me, truly.

But why did things have to change in the end?

That little boy—Lucas—looked about six years old.

He kept telling me he loved me, but all the while he'd had a child with another woman—and kept it hidden from me for six whole years.

I clutched the pregnancy ultrasound report in my bag so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

I'd just gotten the results this morning.

Lucas had smiled at me and said, "Congratulations, Ms. Ballard. This time, Mr. Bates's dream is finally coming true."

I was so excited my heart was pounding. I couldn't wait to get on the next flight, just to surprise Matthias at the university anniversary celebration in the capital.

All the way there, I kept picturing how Matthias would react when he heard the news. He was finally going to be a dad—he'd be over the moon, maybe even pick me up and spin me around.

But I never in a million years expected that when I finally found him at the university, this was what I'd walk in on.

Matthias had already become a father to someone else's child—all behind my back.

Matthias sent me a text.

[Hey sweetheart, don't be sad, okay?" That was Matthias. "I promise I'll come back early the day after tomorrow. Try to stay warm at home and take care of yourself. I'll always love you.]

I didn't reply.

Not once did I ever question Matthias's love for me.

But now, with every passing day, he just felt like a stranger to me.

I kept watching those three together.

Still no reply from me, and Matthias's frown just got deeper.

Rayne Knox hooked her arm through his and reached up to caress his cheek.

"Matthias, what's wrong? Did something happen?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Matthias raked a hand through his hair, looking seriously annoyed.

"Today's the ninth anniversary of when I proposed to Briana, and I'm not even with her. She's so upset, she won't even speak to me. Rayne, I'm really worried about Briana—I might have to head back this afternoon," Matthias said, guilt heavy in his voice.

So her name was Rayne.

She knew I was Matthias's wife.

Rayne hung her head, tears streaming down her face before she even realized it.

"I'm so sorry. It's really all because I wanted too much," Rayne choked out. "It's Valentine's Day... You should be with Briana, like always. But I just couldn't stand it—I missed you so much, and Lucas keeps asking for his dad every single day."

Her helpless, heartbroken look made Matthias's guilt smash right through him.

"No, it's me who's wrong, Rayne. Please, don't cry," Matthias said softly. "Let's not talk about Briana for now. I'll make things right with her when I get back. I've never spent Valentine's Day with you before, but this time, I swear, I'll stay with you and Lucas."

As he spoke, Matthias gently took Rayne's hand, his expression full of worry—and pressed her hand against his chest, right over his heart.

Matthias said softly, "Why are your hands so cold? Here, let me warm them up." His words were gentle, his gaze filled with worry.

Rayne's face instantly turned bright red with embarrassment.

My hands were just as icy, but it was nothing compared to the freezing ache in my heart.

Every winter, my favorite thing was to sneak my freezing cold hands under Matthias's collar when he wasn't expecting it.

Every single time, he'd flinch from the shock of it.

But he never got upset with me—not once. Instead, he'd just smile, gently take my hands, and press them against his chest, where it was even warmer.

He used to say, "Briana, let me be the one to keep your hands warm for the rest of my life—nothing would make me happier."

But now, Matthias was the one warming another woman's hands instead of mine.

Those happy memories would never come back.

I squeezed my eyes shut, and the tears just rolled down my cheeks before I could stop them.

'It hurts, so damn much,' I thought to myself.