Chapter 2

I walked to the front gate, didn't bother calling the family driver, and decided to just order an Uber.

Just as I pulled out my phone, it started ringing.

A voice came through the phone. "Emily, where are you? Should I send someone to get you?"

Before I could answer, a hand grabbed the phone from me and smashed it on the ground.

A bodyguard appeared and dragged me back inside.

James looked at me with obvious disgust. "You thought you could just leave without apologizing to Chloe?"

"If I apologize, will you let me go?" I asked.

"You could've left earlier. But now Chloe's upset. She wants some compensation from you."

I knew they wouldn't let me off that easily.

"What does she want?" I asked.

"Chloe says your hair is beautiful. She wants to use it to make a wig for herself," James said. "Her hair still hasn't grown back, and you know she's so particular about how she looks."

Before I could respond, a bodyguard pushed me into a chair and tied my hands behind my back.

I didn't bother fighting back. I knew it would be futile.

Another bodyguard came at me with scissors. In a few quick, brutal cuts, he sheared off my waist-length hair.

I had grown it out because James once said he liked long hair.

When they were done, I asked James in a hoarse voice, "Can I go now?"

Just then, Chloe came rushing down the stairs, screaming, "James, the doctor said my neck might scar. I need a skin graft. James, what am I going to do?"

James's gaze slowly moved to me. "You're the one who caused this. So we'll just take yours."

Then he called the family doctor. "Dr. Carter, take the softest skin from her face for Chloe's graft."

George glanced at me, noticing how pale I was. "She's too weak for that right now," he warned. "It could be dangerous."

But James wouldn't listen. "It's just a piece of skin. What's the big deal?"

He turned to me. "Give Chloe your skin, and I'll let you go."

I screamed and struggled with all the strength I had.

The bodyguards easily overpowered me, pinning me down.

The pain in my stomach got worse. Suddenly, I felt a terrifying warmth rush down between my legs.

Then everything went black, and I passed out.

*****

When I finally woke up, it was already the next day.

I was lying in a cold hospital bed.

James was sitting in a chair beside my bed.

"You're pregnant," he said. "Did you even know? Why didn't you tell me?"

Honestly, I had only just found out myself.

Two nights ago, my stomach was cramping, and I had wanted to tell him. But he was out buying Chloe snacks.

Last night, I tried to tell him again. But then he brought Chloe home, and everything went sideways.

When I didn't say anything, James pushed, "Why the long face? Didn't you always want a baby? You're about to be a mother. Why are you still acting like a kid?"

He used to say I was always so moody.

I had heard it so many times that even I had started to believe it.

James clicked his tongue in disapproval. "Now that you're pregnant, you should smile more. Stop frowning all the time. It's not good for the baby."

"I'm fine. You don't need to stay," I said quietly. "Go check on Chloe. She's hurt. She needs you."

James looked surprised for a second, then a smile spread across his face. "Finally acting mature? That's more like it. So, what do you want? Just say the word, and I'll make it happen."

I thought for a moment. "I want the necklace my grandmother gave me. And I want my phone fixed."

James looked pleased. "That's it? No problem."

He made a call, and soon a new phone was delivered to my room.

James handed me the phone. "I got you a new SIM card, same number. I already sent someone to fix your necklace. They'll send it back to the house when it's done."

I nodded and took it.

"I'm going to check on Chloe," James said.

I ignored him and unlocked my phone. Instantly, dozens of messages popped up.

[Emily, I'm back in Ashland.]

[Where are you? Why has your phone been off?]

[Did something happen? Call me when you get this.]

[I'm still in Ashland. Waiting for you.]

James turned back and asked, "Who's that?"

"Just spam," I said.

James didn't question it and walked out.

The second the door clicked shut, I called the number back.

"I'm fine. It looks like it'll be a few more days before we can meet up," I said into the phone.

We talked for a few more minutes. Just as I hung up, the door swung open again.

James walked in, carrying a fancy cake box.

He caught the faint smile lingering on my lips.

But the moment I saw him, the smile vanished.

James's face froze for a second. He felt a strange, unfamiliar tightness in his chest.

"Here, this cake is for you," he said, opening the lid.

The cake looked beautiful, but the top was bare. All the strawberries were gone, leaving only a few empty spots.

I knew without asking whose leftovers these were. Chloe's, obviously.

James opened his mouth, like he was about to say something, but his phone rang, breaking the moment.

He glanced at the screen, hesitated for a split second, then answered.

"James, I'm so bored. Let's fly out to Lake Serene and feed the seagulls." Chloe's voice chirped through the phone.

James gave me a look that might've been guilt.

"Go ahead. Chloe needs you," I said calmly.

"I'll be back soon. Enjoy the cake," James said, already halfway out the door.

The moment he was gone, I asked the nurse to throw the cake in the trash.

I knew James wouldn't be back anytime soon.

Sure enough, two days passed, and he still hadn't shown up