Chapter 2

Back when Adam and I were stuck in that freezing basement, I got a fever in the middle of the night. Adam wrapped me up in a blanket and held me tight, using his own body heat to keep me warm.

He made a promise to me. "Vicky, I'll never let you suffer. I'll do everything I can so you'll never be sad."

Those words still ring in my ears, but now? He was the one calling me heartless.

I drew a deep breath. It felt like whatever hope I had inside just disappeared—all at once.

I looked at him. "Let's get a divorce."

Adam froze, like he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. "What did you say?"

"Let's get a divorce," I repeated, my voice flat. "From now on, whether you want to take care of Daniella or have Ella bond with someone else—none of that will concern me anymore."

He shot up from his seat, slamming his hand down on the table.

He glared at me, eyes full of fury. "Vicky Shaffer, so now you've picked up those spoiled rich wife tricks, huh? Just one argument and you're ready to throw the D-word? You think I'm scared of you?"

I didn't say a word. I just stared back at him.

He'd never talked to me like this before. Even when we fought, he'd always be the first to back down and try to make things right.

"Let me make this clear—don't even think about divorce," he said, his tone hard and unyielding. "Daniella's coming over tomorrow. I've already made up my mind.

"And she's not in great shape. Even if we tell everyone she's the nanny, don't actually treat her like one. Make sure you take care of her."

He paused, a warning flickering in his eyes. "And don't mention divorce again. If it gets out, it'll be bad for the business—and for Ella."

With that, he grabbed his suit jacket off the chair and walked straight to the door, not sparing me a single glance.

I stayed where I was, staring at his retreating back, feeling like my whole chest had been hollowed out.

Just as Adam's hand brushed the doorknob, I murmured, "Adam, do you really think I'd stick around forever? That I'd never walk away?"

He froze mid-step, still facing the door, not looking back, not saying anything at all.

*****

On my way home from work, I made a detour to the bakery and picked up Ella's favorite chocolate mousse.

As soon as I opened the door, I heard laughter coming from the living room—Ella's, and a woman's voice.

I slipped off my shoes and called out to the living room, "Sweetie, Mommy's home."

"Mommy!" Ella's voice rang out instantly.

Then I saw her running over in her slippers, her feet pattering against the floor as she leapt straight into my arms.

I squatted down and hugged her, giving her hair a gentle ruffle. "Were you good at school today?"

"Yes!" she chirped, her face bright with a big smile.

Before I could say anything else, I heard footsteps approaching from behind.

I looked up—Daniella was standing there.

She looked almost ghostly pale, but when her eyes met mine, there was a faint, provocative glint in them I couldn't quite describe.

I helped Ella to her feet and whispered, "Honey, why don't you head back to your room and play with your blocks for a little while? Mommy just needs to chat with this lady for a second, alright?"

But Ella scrunched up her little eyebrows and tugged on my hand, insisting, "Mommy, she's not just a lady—she's Mommy Dani. Daddy said she's Mommy Dani."

I blinked in surprise, staring at Ella's sweet face, my voice sounding a little hoarse as I asked, "Who told you that? Was it Daddy?"

"Yup." Ella nodded eagerly and pointed right at Daniella. "Daddy brought Mommy Dani over today at lunch. He told me she's my other mommy. She's gonna live with us now, too."

It felt like something was blocking my chest, squeezing so tight I could barely breathe.

I couldn't believe that Adam would tell Ella this.

Where do I even belong in all this then?

And what about all those seven years Adam and I had been together—did they mean nothing to him at all?

Ella was too young to notice my face looking off. She bounced on her feet, all smiles. "Mommy Dani did puzzles with me—she's super fast."

Then she spun around and dashed back to the living room, flopping onto the rug to keep building her blocks.

Daniella stepped closer, arms folded, smirk tugging at her lips, her whole vibe just oozing smugness.

"Ms. Shaffer, thanks for raising my daughter so well all these years. Look at her—adorable, isn't she? Spitting image of me when I was little," she said.

"Your daughter?" I looked up at her, my temper barely in check. "Daniella, have some decency.

"I carried Ella for nine months and raised her from day one—she's my daughter, not yours. You think you can just waltz in and claim her as your own? Isn't that a bit convenient for you?"

She didn't get angry at all. Instead, her smirk deepened meaningfully. "Ms. Shaffer, haven't you ever wondered why Adam chose the name 'Ella' for your daughter?"

My heart gave a sudden jolt.

When we were naming our daughter, Adam said he'd thought about it for ages. He said "Ella" sounded nice. He hoped she'd grow up gentle and bright.

I didn't think much of it at the time. It was a nice name, so I just went along with it.

But now, with Daniella's words ringing in my ears, it finally hit me.

So naming our child Ella was Adam's way of keeping Daniella in his heart.

He had never actually forgotten about her.

I must've been a complete idiot—thinking Adam picked that name for our daughter.