Chapter 2

Jessica said, "The kid's kicking my stomach..."

Just three days before the engagement, I went to the Natural Health Clinic where I worked and handed my application to the director.

"Director, didn't you mention there's still a spot open for the research program at Nebulia Wellness Center? I want to go," I said.

The director took the file, looking genuinely surprised. "Aren't you about to get engaged? This program lasts a whole year. Is your family alright with you being away for that long?"

I gave a bitter smile. "Director, you got it wrong. It's my sister who's getting engaged, not me."

He paused for a second, then signed off right away without asking anything else.

As I stepped out of the hospital and waited for a ride, I scrolled through my phone's photo album.

The latest photo showed Curtis walking Jessica out of the ER at the maternity ward.

Last night, I couldn't let it go, so I followed him out.

My phone showed Curtis's location.

He was the one who asked me to set up shared location tracking.

Back then, Curtis was so attached to me, always wanting me to keep tabs on him every day.

I never thought that one day, when I actually checked, this is what I'd find.

The familiar Maybach pulled up in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing Curtis's handsome face, with Jessica sitting in the passenger seat.

"Alina, hurry up and get in. We promised that we'd go with you to try on a wedding gown today," Jessica called out, her grin lighting up her whole face.

Out of habit, I opened the back door and slid in.

Jessica gets carsick easily. The first time we rode together, she held it in until her face turned purple, but she wouldn't say a word to me.

After that, I always made sure she got the front seat.

When I first decided to help Jessica out, it was because I saw a younger version of myself in her, someone toughing it out, determined not to let life beat her down.

I glanced up at Jessica in the front seat, bantering with Curtis like they always did.

Somehow, Jessica'd grown into this bright, beautiful girl, and she was keeping secrets from me I couldn't even guess at.

"Curtis, Alina's dress has to be the fanciest and most stunning one there. If it doesn't fit her style perfectly, I'm not letting it go," Jessica insisted.

Curtis shot her a look in the rearview mirror, doting as ever. "Alright, alright, you're the boss. You're her closest ally, so whatever you say goes."

Jessica shook her head with a smug grin, then turned to look at me in the back seat. "Alina, if he ever treats you wrong, I'll whisk you away overseas. Just us girls, living the good life. No way am I letting him marry you."

"No way, I can't survive without Alina," Curtis chimed in, grinning.

The whole conversation was about me, but I felt like I could barely breathe.

I had this wild urge to shout at them, right then and there. I already know all about their dirty little secret!

Seven years... Why were they doing this to me?

But just as I was about to blurt it out, the screech of brakes swallowed my words.

A car suddenly cut us off, and Curtis slammed on the brakes.

The sudden stop hurled me forward, and I slammed into the back of the front seat.

A sharp pain shot through my head. I gasped and grabbed my forehead.

"Ah!"

A startled cry came from the front seat.

Jessica clutched her stomach tightly, her face drained of color.

Curtis twisted around, his face full of worry as he checked on Jessica.

"Jessica, what's wrong? Did you hit something?" he asked, his voice tight with concern.

I fought off the dizziness and called out, my voice hoarse, "Curtis..."

But Curtis didn't even notice me. He was focused on comforting Jessica, whispering reassurances as he gently rubbed her back.

"Curtis Sawyer," I called out, raising my voice.

Curtis turned around, irritated. "Alina, Jessica's hurt. Shouldn't you be worried about her? Why are you causing trouble instead of helping?"

I froze, slowly lowering my hand from my forehead.

It was already swollen and red, with a scrape that was starting to bleed.

Curtis paused, looking conflicted. "Alina, I..."

"It hurts... Curtis, my stomach really hurts..." Jessica cried out.

Jessica's agonized cry cut him off.

Curtis gritted his teeth and turned to me.

"Alina, your injury isn't serious. Why don't you head to the dress shop on your own? I need to get Jessica to the hospital right away."

With that, he hit the unlock button on the central console.

"Get out," he said, his voice cold and commanding.

My fingers trembled as I pushed the door open and stepped out.

The moment the door closed, the car sped off, kicking up a cloud of dust in its wake.

The wound on my forehead kept throbbing, each pulse sharper than the last.

The cold wind hit me, making my eyes sting and my throat tighten, like I was about to cry.

This is what I get for choosing them as my family.

After getting my wound patched up at a nearby clinic, I took a cab and followed Curtis to the private hospital where he'd taken Jessica.

Standing outside the ward, I was just about to grab the doorknob when I heard Curtis's worried voice from inside.

"Jessica, you're so frail right now. How can I possibly feel at ease letting you go overseas alone for your pregnancy and childbirth?" Curtis said.