Chapter 1
My husband, Lucas Granger, was always called the best husband by our friends.
Everyone said he was crazy about me, treating me like a treasure.
That changed when I had a prenatal checkup.
My cousin, Lydia Cole, called him before she died.
He didn't hesitate. He left me there, six months pregnant, and rushed to her side.
My mom told me to let Lydia have my husband for a while because she was depressed.
My brother, Damian Cole, snapped, "You're in this family only because Lydia defended you. If she wants something, give it to her!"
I found it absurd. I was your real family, not her.
She was an imposter stealing what was mine.
But why did you regret it only after I chose to leave you?
*****
At the city hospital, I yelled, "Lucas, if you leave today, we're done!"
Lucas paused, then rushed back, hugged me, and kissed my forehead.
Instinctively, I grabbed his hand, not wanting him to leave.
He gently pushed my hand away, whispered in my ear. "Lena, don't worry. I'm just seeing her and will be back soon."
Then he turned and hurried out of the room.
I stood there, tears streaming.
He calls me "Lena" but quickly rushes to another woman—disgusting.
Lucas, we're finished. I'll never forgive you.
Lucas's mom grabbed my hand.
"Elena, please be understanding. Lydia is very sick with depression. Let Lucas stay with her for a while. I'm begging you," she pleaded.
It felt as if someone had stabbed me straight in the heart.
My mom told me to be the bigger person and let my husband stay with another woman.
Before I caught my breath, someone else barged in.
It was my brother, Damian Cole.
He immediately lashed out at me.
"Elena, be more understanding. Lucas is just keeping Lydia company. Why the drama?
"Remember, you're in this family because Lydia stood up for you. Give her whatever she wants."
I staggered and looked at my mom, but she avoided my eyes.
After scolding me, they rushed out without a second thought.
My phone buzzed with a text from Lydia.
[Elena, how does it feel to be dumped again?
[You never should've returned. That filthy pigsty in Millbrook is where you belong.
[I told you before. This family only has room for one, and that one is me. Everything here is mine. Including Lucas. Whenever I need them, they come running. To me. Not you.
[If I were you, I'd just end it. Why live as a loser?]
Her nasty texts no longer fazed me.
I never once beat Lydia growing up.
Since I moved back, Lydia kept sending me messages to get under my skin.
I showed my parents Lydia's cruel messages to reveal her true nature.
But they simply looked at me with complete contempt.
Mom snapped, "Elena, stop using cruel methods on Lydia. You disgust us."
"Disgust?" My own parents called me that.
I later realized Lydia had prepared her cover story.
She told my parents I'd been photoshopping pictures and spreading rumors about classmates, asking them to intervene.
Unconditional trust? Yes, it exists—just not for me.
When did the nightmare truly begin?
As a kid, our family's bus crashed on a trip.
Mom protected Damian; Dad pulled Lydia into his arms.
While Mom and Dad comforted them, I was dragged away, gagged by a kidnapper.
Tears streamed as I struggled, powerless against an adult's grip.
I screamed silently in my mind.
Mom, Dad, please turn around!
Your daughter is being taken! Please, look at me!
Until the sedatives knocked me out, I hoped they'd turn around once. They never did.