Chapter 2

Claire absolutely despised me, but when it came to the spirit baby in my belly, she treated it like it was the most precious thing in the world.

As soon as we stepped into the mall, she made a beeline for the baby aisle, grabbing only the fanciest and most expensive stuff.

I pretended to pull out my phone to pay, but Claire quickly stopped me.

"Luna, let me pay. Somehow, I just feel this weird connection with your baby," Claire said.

"Maybe he really was my baby in a past life. Anyway, from now on, everything the baby eats or uses—I'm covering it all!"

I stared her down, making sure she caught every word. "Do you really believe you and this baby are connected by fate?"

Claire nodded like crazy, her hand shooting out, unable to resist touching my belly.

As she looked up, I instantly noticed a thin wisp of dark energy lingering between her brows.

After that day, Claire started acting like she cared more about my unborn baby than even my mother-in-law did.

She kept sending over all kinds of fancy pregnancy supplements—sea cucumbers, fish maw—like she was just throwing money around.

She even sent a nutritionist to make sure I got three meals a day plus late-night snacks, all perfectly tailored for a pregnant woman.

But when it came to baby clothes, formula, diapers, or anything the baby would actually need, Claire never bothered to send me any of that stuff.

Watching my belly grow day by day, Ethan and Claire looked more and more thrilled, grinning like they'd just won the lottery.

When I was seven months pregnant, Claire invited me over to their place to check out the nursery she'd personally decorated for the baby.

"Luna, your belly's already so big, and Ethan still hasn't even set up a nursery for the baby?" Claire said.

Her voice was full of quiet pride and a hint of showing off.

I let out a cold, silent sneer.

Of course Ethan never planned to set up a nursery at home.

There was absolutely no need.

According to their plan, the moment my baby was born, Claire would take it away.

And all I'd get was a dead baby Ethan had prepared just for me.

I kept my smile sweet and pretended not to catch her meaning. "I'm planning to breastfeed, so the baby will be in my room for now. When they start kindergarten, then maybe they'll get their own room."

At the word "breastfeed," Claire's expression twisted for a split second.

I snickered inwardly.

That fake pregnancy of hers means Claire will never know what it's like to have that real, flesh-and-blood bond from breastfeeding.

Maybe my words got under her skin, because Claire didn't even bother pretending anymore. She started showing off right in front of me.

"Luna, bet you didn't know—Ethan designed this nursery all by himself.

"And the stroller? I wanted to just buy one, but Ethan said nobody else would put in enough effort, so he built it from scratch.

"Seriously, isn't Ethan just the perfect dad?"

I rubbed my big baby bump and smiled, nodding. "Of course, Ethan's a great dad, and you'll make a great mom too."

Claire looked absolutely delighted by my words.

She hummed a tune, happily tidying up the toys and bottles in the nursery.

She had no idea that wisps of dark mist were creeping out from my belly, coiling tightly around her.

That thin streak of dark aura that once hovered between her brows had now spread, blanketing her entire face.

Days slipped by, and before I knew it, my due date was just around the corner.

I decided to have the baby at St. Mary's Maternity Center.

And coincidentally, Claire, who kept insisting she was pregnant at the same time as me, checked into the hospital too, supposedly waiting to give birth.

Her room was right next to mine.

As Ethan looked at my big baby bump, a glint of calculation flashed in his eyes.

He let out a casual sigh. "Who would've thought this baby and Claire really have some kind of fate tying them together?

"Even their due dates line up perfectly."

I just smiled and went along with it. "Claire's been so good to this baby. Honestly, anyone who didn't know the truth would think it's hers."

Ethan's hand on my belly suddenly stilled for a moment.

Right then, a sharp pain shot through me, and a warm rush spilled down my legs.

I grabbed Ethan's arm. "Honey! I think my water just broke."

As my husband, Ethan should've rushed to get the doctor right away.

But instead, he pulled away from me and rushed over to Claire's room next door.

Not long after, I heard Claire's screams coming from the next room. "Hurry! Get the doctor! My water just broke!"

I gripped the sheets tightly, my eyes cold as I stared up at the stark, white hospital ceiling.

Ethan, I already gave you your shot.

But you blew it. That was your last chance to get away from the ghost baby.