Chapter 3

2

My sister kept watch by my bedside, but the babies were born without breath.

Her face was deathly pale, still trapped in the trauma, and her hand in mine wouldn't stop shaking.

"Clara, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have gone out for those stupid pastries."

I squeezed her hand back.

Honestly, the guilt should have been mine. If I hadn't fallen for Seraphina's trap, her baby would still be alive.

Just then, her husband, Caleb, returned.

He hammered on the door, and when we didn't open it, he started shouting.

"Chloe, did you hire someone to harass my brother? What kind of wife acts like you? He's a doctor; he doesn't choose his patients. Can you stop listening to your sister's insane lies?"

"And stop lying about losing the babies! You were eight or nine months along; even if you walked ten miles, you'd be fine."

"If I weren't so busy fixing up Seraphina's house, I'd come in there and deal with you myself. Is a divorce something you joke about?"

"You want a divorce? Fine. Have it your way."

As Chloe moved to confront him, we heard his retreating footsteps.

She stared at the door, silent for a long time.

I looked at her weary expression. "Chloe, maybe the universe doesn't approve of our marriages. You just lost your baby and have been watching over me... please, get some rest."

Her eyes turned red, and she finally broke down into sobs.

We clung to each other, finally releasing the grief and betrayal we had held inside.

Our youthful dreams of love had become a boomerang, striking us down.

Looking back, the ending had been written from the start.

Silas had scheduled our wedding on Seraphina's birthday, probably as some sick way to spite her.

My sister and I were nothing but tools to make her jealous; there was never any love.

We were the fools for believing they were just a cousin-like bond.

Since the accident, I've been bedridden, and neither of them has checked on us once.

It's clear where their loyalties lie.

Perhaps to him, I was never worth his time.

It's just a pity that I realized it so late.