Chapter 2

2.

After sending Caleb away, I drove to the city hospital to have the procedure done.

The doctor reviewed my charts and gave me one last warning.

"Wren Montgomery, your body is naturally frail when it comes to pregnancy. If you end this now, the chances of you ever conceiving again are practically zero. Are you sure you want to sign?"

I didn't hesitate. I signed my name with a steady hand.

The baby's own father never wanted it to have a future in this world, so why bring it into such misery?

The procedure was over quickly. I tucked the discharge papers away and walked out.

Near the bus station, I spotted Caleb―the same man who told me he had a school event and wouldn't be home all day.

I guess we both lied today.

The difference was, he lied so he could take Daisy Sterling to the Mount Aspen Monastery.

He had his arm wrapped around her waist, and they strolled along like a picture-perfect married couple.

Daisy whispered something in his ear, and he pretended to be annoyed, crossing his arms and pouting at her.

A moment later, he laughed, pinched her cheek, and bent down.

"Fine, get on. I'll give you a piggyback ride."

Daisy squealed and kissed him on the cheek before hopping on his back. "Caleb! I love you!"

Their conversation felt like a jagged blade ripping through my chest, destroying the last bit of indifference I tried to maintain.

I had never seen him so vibrant, so real.

In front of me, Caleb never got angry and never showed much emotion. He was just a perfectly polished husband.

He never refused my requests, but that kindness was the ultimate cruelty.

Because he never teased me like he did with Daisy, and he never, ever told me he loved me.

Like a masochist, I followed them from a distance.

The silver bracelet on Daisy's wrist caught the light and blinded me with its glare.

When I first got pregnant, Caleb stayed up all night in his workshop crafting that bracelet.

He told me he was making it for me and the baby.

He said it would lock in our luck and keep us safe.

I was so happy. Every night, I whispered to my belly, "Your daddy loves you so much."

But before he finished it, Caleb told me it had been stolen from his office at school.

Now I saw it clearly. The bracelet had the letters "D-A-I-S-Y" engraved on it.

He had made it for her from the very beginning.

As they left the chapel, he was carrying a stack of prayer books, and a charm sachet hung from Daisy's waist.

That was the real charm―the one he spent a month transcribing scriptures for.

My chest throbbed. One bloody lie after another was being peeled back.

I had promised myself I wouldn't cry, but the tears kept threatening to spill.

I couldn't stand to watch their happiness anymore. I turned to leave, but then I heard Daisy speak.

"The destiny swap has to go perfectly, Caleb. Our baby needs to have a life of wealth and power."

She started to sob, and Caleb pulled her close, making a vow.

"Don't worry. Our child is going to grow up healthy and strong."

"It's a good thing Wren's baby has such a lucky destiny. Think of it as her finally paying me back for all the years I've spoiled her."

My heart shuddered. I touched my now-empty belly.

All those years of kindness were just part of a transaction. It was never about love.

Six years. I finally saw the real Caleb St. Claire―the man everyone called the perfect husband.