Chapter 2

"I see." I nodded. "So, you're choosing Sharon."

"Thera, Sharon's pregnant. I can't turn my back on her now," Justin said, his voice weighed down with guilt.

"And what about me? The three years I've spent with you, my feelings, everything I've done for you—how will you account for that?" I shot back, my voice trembling.

Justin looked up at me, with guilt in his eyes but even more determination. "Thera, I swear I'll make up for it."

"Make up for it?" I let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down my face. "Justin, how exactly? With money?"

"If money is what you want..." Justin said quietly, his voice full of helplessness.

"Get out," I snapped, stabbing a finger toward the door. "Now. Right this minute. Just go."

Justin got up and, right as he was about to leave, glanced over his shoulder at me. "Thera, I really hope you can see where I'm coming from."

"See where you're coming from?" I wiped my tears away. "Justin, I get your side, but you need to get mine. From today on, we're over."

After Justin left, I sat numbly on the couch, my eyes locked on the photo of us smiling on the table. In that picture, I looked so happy. I had no idea that the man I loved most would betray me.

My phone buzzed. It was Sharon calling.

I picked up, and her voice was thick with tears. "Thera, are you okay?"

I scoffed, barely able to contain my anger. "Sharon, do you honestly think I could be okay right now?"

"Thera, I know you're hurting, but I really hope you can understand me. I love Jay so much, and now I'm pregnant..." Sharon said, her voice trembling.

"Understand you?" I let out a cold, brittle laugh. "Sharon, you were supposed to be my closest friend. And yet you were sneaking around with my fiancé for six whole months. Now you expect me to just... understand?"

"Thera, I know I've hurt you, but you can't force love. Jay and I truly care about each other, we..." Sharon stammered, her voice unsteady.

I hung up on her without a second thought.

My phone buzzed again—still Sharon. I powered it off, done with all of it.

The next morning, the doorbell yanked me out of my sleep.

When I opened the door, there was Beverly Hudson, Justin's mother, holding an insulated food container in her hands.

"Mrs. Hudson." I managed a strained smile.

"Thera, I heard from Justin that you two had a fight yesterday." Beverly stepped right into the living room. "I made you some cream of chicken soup. I thought you could use something nourishing."

I gazed at her, emotions swirling inside. Beverly had always treated me like her own daughter, but now...

"Mrs. Hudson, did you know about what's going on between Justin and Sharon?" I finally managed to ask, my voice tight with emotion.

Her expression flickered before she let out a heavy sigh. "Thera, Justin told me last night. That boy... is so reckless sometimes."

"So... you already knew?" I pressed, my voice trembling.

"I did notice something strange a few days ago, but I never imagined it would come to this." Beverly sat down beside me, gently taking my hand. "Thera, I know this feels so unfair to you, but now that Sharon's pregnant, things have gotten a whole lot more complicated."

I pulled my hand back, my voice tight. "Mrs. Hudson, what exactly are you suggesting?"

"Thera, you're such a good girl, and I truly care about you. But Sharon's carrying Justin's baby. There's simply no way I can turn a blind eye." Beverly looked genuinely troubled. "How about this? Justin marries Sharon, but your wedding goes on as planned. Outsiders won't suspect a thing. Just do this for our family's reputation."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Mrs. Hudson, are you seriously asking me to marry a man who betrayed me? You want me and the other woman to marry him at the same time?"

"Thera, that's not fair to say that. Sharon's pregnancy was an accident, but Justin truly cares about you. You've been together for three years. There's history between you two," Beverly said, trying her best to sound reassuring.

"History?" I laughed coldly. "If our history meant anything, why did he betray me?"

"Men make mistakes, but what matters is giving them a chance to fix things." Beverly pressed on, her words almost pleading but undeniably pushy. "Thera, think about it, our families are tied together by business. If you really walk away, it could ruin things for both sides."

So that was what really mattered to her. To Mrs. Hudson, my emotions meant nothing compared to business deals.

"Mrs. Hudson, I'm not marrying Justin," I replied, my voice steady and firm. "Go ahead and tell him that it's over. For good."

Beverly's face hardened. "Thera, don't be so headstrong. This isn't just about you. It's about both families. You can't decide this all by yourself."

"Both families?" I said, standing up. "Then go ask my parents if they're okay with their daughter marrying some two-timer."

For a moment, Beverly was completely speechless, unable to respond.

Just then, the doorbell rang again.

I went to open it. Standing there was Sharon, dressed in a soft pink maternity dress, her whole look so delicate that it made her seem almost too fragile for the world.

"Thera, I came to apologize," Sharon said, her eyes already brimming with tears the moment she stepped inside.

Beverly got to her feet when she saw Sharon. "Sharon, what brings you here? Are you alright?"

"Mrs. Hudson, I'm doing fine," Sharon replied sweetly before turning her gaze toward me. "Thera, I know you hate me, but please, can you give me a chance to explain?" Her words made my blood run cold.

"Explain?" I gave her a cold, hard stare. "Are you seriously trying to say Justin forced you into this?"

"No, that's not it." Sharon shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. "I admit it, I do love Jay. But I never meant to hurt you or come between you."

"If you didn't want to come between us, then why were you with him?" I snapped, my words cutting.

"Because I really do love him, Thera." Sharon was crying even harder now. "You just don't understand. I've loved Jay since college. But he chose you, so I could only keep my feelings to myself."

I just stood there, completely stunned. So Sharon had been in love with Justin all along.

"Six months ago, Jay got drunk and said he was tired of everything—that being with you felt empty, no spark, just obligation. I tried to comfort him, and... well, one thing led to another." Sharon couldn't meet my eyes, her voice trembling. "I know it was wrong, but I just couldn't control my feelings."

Beverly sighed deeply, "Poor Sharon, you really are just a helpless girl."

I almost laughed out loud at how ridiculous this was. I was the one who got stabbed in the back, and yet somehow Beverly felt sorry for Sharon.

"So, Sharon, you're saying Justin felt nothing for me—no passion at all? Is that it?" I snarked, my words cutting.

"Thera, I didn't mean it that way. I just..." Sharon faltered, her voice shaky.

"Just what? Do you think you're a better fit for Justin than me?" I fixed Sharon with a hard stare. "Then tell me, if you two are so madly in love, why didn't you get together sooner? Why wait until now?"

Sharon just bit her lip, staying silent.