Chapter 2

I struggled to pull the corners of my mouth into some semblance of a smile, but even that felt painfully hard.

Ever since I became Charles's wife, I'd given him massages every single day without missing a day in six long years.

That car accident left him with splitting headaches, so I painstakingly taught myself pressure point massage, just to ease his pain and make sure he was well taken care of.

It was my relentless care that nursed him back from the brink. As for Sophia, she was nothing more than a pretty little bonus—yet it was her he remembered, even after all these years. How unfair.

I said, "You don't owe me any explanations. We got married because you and the Sinclair family needed me. Now that you're back on your feet and the contract's up, and she's back as well... It's only right that we go our separate ways.

"Just like the contract says, I'll leave with nothing. I won't ask for a single cent."

Charles's gentle demeanor instantly frosted over.

He said, "Don't say that again. You're the woman I chose, the only one who stuck by my side when I was at my lowest. Now that my life is finally back on track, how could I ever let you go? What do you want people to say about me?

"And anyway, I never planned on leaving you—so quit thinking about it. Maybe the contract's done, but our marriage sure isn't. When Jack came into this world, didn't you promise you'd walk with me all the way, till we're old and gray?"

Suddenly, Jack stuck his hands on his hips, puffed up, and complained, "Dad, you should just divorce Mom. She's always grumpy and gets mad for no reason, but Sophia is way more gentle.

"She even bought me a giant strawberry cream cake. Mom never lets me have anything that sweet, always saying it's bad for my health."

Jack shot his dad a look and pressed, "Didn't you also say Sophia is better than Mom?"

Jack's words cut through me like a knife—hurting even more than when I caught Charles gazing at Sophia with that look in his eyes, so full of affection it made my heart ache.

I knew Charles never loved me, but I never thought that even Jack—the child I struggled so desperately to bring into this world—would hurt me like this.

I watched every bite Jack took, choosing each thing on his plate with the utmost care, just to help him with his sensitive stomach.

I'd poured my love into him for a full six years. He used to curl up in my arms, his little voice gentle and sweet, telling me, "Mommy always guards me, like the stars watch over the moon. When I grow up, I'll be your star and protect you, Mommy."

But now, he was just like his dad—falling for another woman so easily, convinced that I was not good enough, no matter what I did.

Charles's face darkened in an instant. He snapped, "Don't talk nonsense. When have I ever said something like that? How could you speak to your mom that way? Watch your mouth! Go apologize to her now."

Jack just pouted. Then he took off running back to his room and slammed the door shut.

Charles looked at me, the anger in his eyes mostly gone, replaced with a bit of guilt and awkwardness.

He said, "Hey, don't let it get to you, alright? You know how kids are—they just blurt things out. It's Jack's birthday today. Let's not make a big deal out of it, okay? It's not good for him."

Before I could say anything, the doorbell suddenly blared.

Jack burst out of his room like a whirlwind, shoved past me, and threw himself into Sophia's arms, grinning from ear to ear. "It's really you, Sophia. I missed you so much!"

Sophia smiled gently. "Happy birthday, Jack! I brought you a present."

"Awesome! Thank you, Sophia." Jack stood on his tiptoes and kissed Sophia on the cheek.

I staggered from Jack's shove, my side catching the sharp edge of the table. I winced from the pain, but no one bothered to check if I was alright.

Charles practically beamed as he hurried to the door, greeting Sophia warmly. "It's freezing out there. Come on in and get warm."

Jack happily took the present, set it carefully on the table, and ripped open the packaging in excitement. But then he suddenly hesitated. "Wait, this looks just like the one Mom gave me. And my initials are right here on the bottom!"

Charles took the ornament from Jack's hands, inspected it for a moment, and his face went dark.

He glanced over at me briefly, then turned to Sophia and asked, "Where did you get this?"

Sophia answered, "I spotted it at a thrift market and thought Jack would love it, so I bought it. The seller was apparently short of money and had put up a lot of stuff for sale. Emily can't be short on money, can she? Maybe you're wrong, Jack."

Charles stepped into the room, his face grim, only to realize the shelves that used to be packed with all kinds of keepsakes were now totally empty.

His stare was cold, but I could see the anger burning beneath as he looked straight at me.

He said, "Emily, this sketchbook—it's the one you drew for Jack with all his childhood memories! And the scarf you spent nights knitting just for me. How could you just sell them all off? Are you really that desperate for cash that you'd get rid of things that mean so much to us?

"Or have you honestly made up your mind to walk out on me, clearing out everything we once shared? Are our six years together really worthless to you—just secondhand junk to be tossed out and forgotten?"