Chapter 2

Edward's jaw was clenched. "Nowhere in the agreement does it mention you being pregnant," he said.

I looked at him. "There's a lot more written in that agreement."

Edward stared at me, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "What do you mean?"

Laura didn't answer.

The sound of high heels echoed outside the room again.

A woman stood in the doorway, her voice trembling. "Edward, what are you doing here?"

It was Rachel.

She was still holding a bag from the bridal shop.

When she saw the baby in my arms, her face went pale.

Edward didn't turn around.

He kept his eyes locked on me.

I looked down and gently soothed my daughter.

Then I looked up at him and said, "If you really want to know, go ask your mom."

Rachel stood in the doorway, refusing to come in.

Her eyes flicked over the baby, then settled on Edward's face. "Edward, we still need to go try on the wedding dresses."

Edward didn't move.

The security guard had already arrived at the door.

The nurse's tone was firm. "Sir, you need to leave now."

Edward acted as if he hadn't heard anything. He turned to me and asked, "What does my mom know?"

I didn't say a word.

The baby in my arms stirred, her lips pressed together in a tiny pout.

I looked down at her.

She was impossibly small.

So small that she couldn't muster the energy to cry loudly.

But she was already my absolute bottom line, the one thing I'd fight for, no matter what.

Rachel finally stepped inside.

She put the bag down on a chair, managing a strained smile. "Laura, having a baby should be something to celebrate. We shouldn't be fighting.

"But what you said could easily be taken the wrong way."

I looked up at her. "Misunderstanding what?"

She hesitated for a second. "You and Edward have been divorced for nine months now.

"And now, out of nowhere, there's a baby, and you suddenly call him, saying you gave birth. Are you trying to mess with him or what?

"Isn't that making things harder for him?"

I scoffed, "He called me first. He invited me to the wedding, too. I told the truth. How does that make it my fault?"

Rachel's smile finally cracked.

Edward finally turned to look at her. "How did you know she was here?"

Rachel froze for a moment. "I tried calling you, but you didn't pick up. So I asked your assistant. He told me you were at the hospital."

Edward didn't ask any more questions.

I saw through it.

He rushed over without telling a soul.

Rachel showed up in ten minutes, and someone was more afraid of him finding out than he was.

Someone else squeezed into the doorway.

It was Helen.

She was wearing a dark red coat and holding a gold-embossed invitation.

Helen frowned when she saw me.

Helen's face darkened when she saw the baby. "Laura, what are you trying to stir up now?"

I stared at the invitation.

Edward and Rachel's names were printed on it.

It was all dressed up for a celebration.

But it was hard to look at.

Helen set the invitation down on the nightstand with a sharp thud. "We're throwing a wedding next week.

"If you have any shame left, don't ruin our family's reputation with this kid that nobody knows where she came from."

The nurse's expression soured. "Please mind your words."

Helen didn't spare the nurse a glance.

She stared at the baby in my arms, her voice sharp and cutting. "You got divorced nine months ago, and now you're having a baby. Who do you think can't do the math?

"If you're trying to shake us down for money, forget it."

Edward spun around. "Mom."

Helen was stunned by his outburst. "Why are you yelling at me? I'm doing this for your own good.

"Women like her are always putting on an act. She never said a word when she was living with us, and now, after the divorce, she turns up out of nowhere with a baby in tow.

"She's only causing drama because you're about to get married." She jabbed a finger at me.

Rachel lowered her head, her eyes rimmed with tears. "Helen, please, that's enough."

Her words carried more weight than anything else.

Helen rushed to her side, protective as ever. "Rachel, don't be scared. With me here, no one's going to ruin your big day."

I looked at the three of them.

The scene from nine months ago flashed through my mind.

It was the same three people.

One of them, stone-faced, forced me to sign the divorce settlement.

Another was crying, insisting that she never wanted to break up my marriage.

The third one yanked the medical report right out of my bag, saying the Quinn family wasn't about to let me drag their family down.

Back then, I didn't try to fight.

I had walked out of the hospital, my hands clammy with cold sweat.

The doctor had told me that I was pregnant.

I hadn't figured out whether I should tell Edward or not.

But Helen already knew.

She made the decision for me before I could wrap my head around it.