Chapter 2

"Ms. Lane, please think it over. This is a decision that will affect your whole life," the doctor said gently.

I spent the entire day sitting on a bench in the hospital, but I couldn't bring myself to make a decision.

Before I met Jonathan, my family was never whole.

Right after I was born, my parents couldn't get along. They fought every single day.

The only things I ever heard were stuff breaking, them yelling at each other, and sometimes, their anger spilled over onto me.

Not long after I started elementary school, they got divorced.

They were finally free.

They quickly moved on, started new families, and became part of someone else's life.

But I was left all alone, with nowhere I could really call home.

Neither of them wanted me, so I had no choice but to stay with my grandma.

Not long after I started middle school, my grandma passed away, and I ended up at my uncle's place.

His family never really cared for me. If it weren't for the money my mom sent once in a while, I'd have been out on the street ages ago.

By the time I got to high school, I landed a part-time job, saved up enough for rent, and finally moved out on my own.

My apartment was tiny, but it was big enough for all my stuff, and for all the longing I had for a real home.

Ever since I was little, I'd seen nothing but couples showing disgust, frustration, and resentment toward each other. Marriage always scared me.

Marriage ruined my parents' love and shattered my hope for the world.

I guess if I'd never met Jonathan, I probably would've never gotten married at all.

But in the end, he was never mine anyway.

I looked down and lightly touched my still-flat belly.

Inside, a tiny life was taking shape.

An indescribable warmth flooded my heart, and suddenly, my eyes grew hot.

Maybe this was good too.

All I really had was my child.

She'd be the only person in this world who was family to me.

As for Jonathan, I was done with him.

What was forced never lasted anyway.

He'd been good to me all these years, so letting him go was my way of returning the favor.

That night, I had someone draft the divorce agreement and began taking stock of all the assets I'd accumulated over the years.

I worked into the night, tallying everything, and by the time I was done, I finally felt at ease.

With the assets I had now, it was more than enough to support myself and my child.

She'd never have to feel deprived.

After finishing the inventory, I dragged myself out of the study, feeling exhausted. Then I heard our nanny Sarah's voice from downstairs.

"Mr. Reed, you're back. Would you like me to warm up your dinner?" she asked.

"No, thanks," Jonathan replied.

He loosened his tie, his voice a little hoarse. "Is Emily asleep?"

"Not yet, she's still in the study," Sarah answered.

I was a little taken aback.

What was he doing here instead of being with Sophie?

Before I could make sense of it, I heard him coming up the stairs.

Instinctively, I quietly slipped back into my room.

I yanked the covers back and slipped under them.

Jonathan pushed the door open and saw me pretending to be asleep.

He raised an eyebrow, but didn't say a word about it.

Instead, he headed straight for the bathroom.

I heard the water running in the bathroom and slowly peeked open my eyes.

After a moment, I tiptoed out of bed to take the folic acid I'd forgotten tonight, caught up in everything.

"What are you taking?" Jonathan's voice suddenly came from behind me.

I hadn't even realized the water in the bathroom had stopped. I jumped at the sound of his voice behind me.

"Uh, s-stomach meds," I stammered.

Jonathan was standing there in only a bathrobe, his hair still dripping wet. Water trailed down his cheek and slid right into the collar of his robe.

He was pure eye candy.

Honestly, his looks definitely played a big part in why I said yes to marrying him.

But right now, I wasn't in the mood to admire him. I quickly hid the pills behind my back.

Thinking fast, I blurted out, "The doctor said my stomach's been acting up, so I have to take some medicine for it."

I'd purposely left a bottle of stomach medicine on the table, just in case.

Jonathan glanced at my serious expression, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Where's the report from this morning?"

I kept my face straight. "I threw it in the hospital trash."

He gave me a half-smile. "Oh?"

If I kept this up, he was bound to get suspicious.

He was always suspicious, typical for a slick businessman like him.

I dropped my gaze. "Okay, fine, I found out I have gastritis. I didn't want you to lecture me."

Seeing me all downcast, Jonathan reached out and ruffled my hair, letting out a soft sigh. "Are you skipping meals again because you're caught up in your art?"

I kept my head down, not saying a word.

I needed to leave soon.

If I stayed any longer, I wouldn't be able to hide the truth.

I didn't know if Jonathan even wanted this baby, but I knew he'd never let his own child be left out in the world.

No matter what I chose, whether I had the baby or not, I was the only one who'd end up losing her.

But he did remind me of something.

Since I was leaving, I needed to settle all those outstanding commissions as soon as possible.