Chapter 2

Derek didn't come home all night. I sat alone in the living room, and after hours of thinking, I decided I'd end the pregnancy.

Once I'd booked the appointment, I got in my car and drove off.

While waiting at a stoplight, I spotted Derek's car parked outside a wedding dress boutique.

Without even thinking, I drove right up to the shop's entrance.

Inside, I saw Derek beaming with happiness as he stared at Sophia, who was dressed up in a stunning wedding gown.

"Sophia, every wedding dress looks perfect on you. You're breathtaking," Derek said.

When I walked in, Derek frowned at me, annoyed to see me there.

"Emily, why are you here?" he snapped.

"Were you following me? Or did you hire someone to spy on me?" he added coldly.

I couldn't believe his imagination was running so wild. He even thought I was that resourceful.

"Emily, are you also here to help me pick out a wedding dress?" Sophia asked, her tone so friendly that others would think we were lifelong friends.

"That's a beautiful dress. Is this the one you'll be wearing when you marry my husband? He has good taste. Funny, when we got married, he didn't bother helping me pick out a dress, and I had to do it all by myself," I sneered.

My words hit their mark. Derek's composure cracked, embarrassment flickering across his face.

"Emily, quit making a scene in public. We'll talk about this at home," he said.

While speaking, Derek started shoving me out of the shop.

He pushed me so hard that I cried out in pain.

"Emily, enough with the theatrics. Sophia is fragile. She can't deal with your drama. Whatever you're planning, save it for when we get home and take it out on me," Derek snapped.

He moved to shield Sophia behind him as if I were some contagious disease that might infect his precious girl.

"Emily, I know you blame me, but could you at least give us your blessing? I don't have much time left, and all I want is to be Derek's bride, even if only for a single moment on our wedding day," Sophia pleaded.

Her confession sent a jolt through Derek. He was moved, overwhelmed by emotion.

"Emily, don't make me say anything even uglier," Derek snapped.

His cold tone made it clear that this was his final warning.

I tried hard not to let the tears fall. Suddenly, I wondered if telling him I was pregnant would make a difference.

But seeing the disgust in his eyes for me and how gently he protected Sophia like she was some fragile treasure, I knew for sure that there was nothing that could ever make him see me differently.

"Thanks, Derek. You've helped me make my decision," I said coldly.

This place was never meant for me. Without looking back, I walked straight out of the shop and headed for the hospital.

The procedure was over faster than I thought. When I walked out of the hospital, I reached for my stomach out of habit. It felt the same, but inside, I knew nothing would ever be the same again.

When I got home, I absentmindedly scrolled through my Twitter and saw Sophia's new post.

She was posing in front of the mirror in her wedding dress, and Derek was caught in the frame, staring at her with pure adoration. The way she'd set it up made them look like the perfect couple.

Derek commented: [The princess and her knight.]

His sister, Linda Carter, jumped in too: [I always thought Sophia and Derek were a perfect match. This photo proves it.]

I've always known Linda couldn't stand me. She never thought I was good enough for Derek. But I never expected her to openly cheer for her brother's cheating. They were two peas in a shady pod.

Without a second thought, I posted the hospital discharge papers on my Twitter and slapped on a caption: [I feel relieved now.]

Linda was the first to comment: [So this is how your family raises you? Sneaking off to abort your baby behind your husband's back?]

Seeing how rude she was, I shot back: [Oh? So your family's idea of good manners is cheering on your married brother for hooking up with another woman and calling them a perfect match?]

Derek kept calling nonstop, but I refused to pick up.

Then my mom called. I hesitated for a second, but I picked up.

"What's going on with that post on your Twitter, Emily? You were joking, right?" she asked.

I grew up in a single-parent household. My mom raised me all by herself, and she'd never been the type to fall apart easily.

I'd always been too ashamed to tell her about Sophia, but now that things had blown up, I didn't have to pretend everything was fine anymore.

I gave her the short version of what had happened.

"Mom, I want to come home," I said.

Without hesitating, my mom replied firmly, "Whatever you decide, I'll support you. Just come back. No matter what happens, I'll always have your back."

I was so touched. With my mom's support, I threw my stuff in a bag after hanging up and headed straight back to her place.

When Derek came home that afternoon and saw I was gone, he shot me a message: [Where the hell are you? Are you going to disappear without telling me what's going on?]

I sent mine at the exact same time. Maybe that was the last thing we'd ever do together.

My message read: [Derek, let's get a divorce. You chase your true love. Just let me have my freedom back.]

After that, Derek sent over a dozen voice messages. Each one dragged on for what felt like forever.

I couldn't even be bothered to transcribe them. I hated having my screen flooded with voice notes, especially when they were all from Derek.

But since divorce was on the table, I ended up answering his call.

"Emily, come home. I won't hold it against you for ending the pregnancy. Let's both calm down and figure things out," Derek said.

It had been ages since he'd bothered to be this patient with me, but his words still cut as deep as always.

When I didn't give him the reaction he wanted, Derek kept trying to persuade me.

"What do you expect me to do about Sophia?" he whined. "She's a sick girl begging for a wedding before she dies. I didn't ask for this, but everyone acts like I'm the villain if I refuse. What choice do I have?"

Derek couldn't even see how head over heels he was for Sophia. All the while, he acted like some tortured hero, helplessly swept up in her drama. He played both victim and knight.

"As for Linda, she's one of those people who blurts whatever comes to mind. She has zero filter, but she doesn't mean anything by it. She's my sister. Just let it slide," he insisted.

He had no idea how vicious and foul-mouthed his sister really was. To him, she was just a blunt, simple-minded woman.