Chapter 2

2

By the time I walked up and knocked on the front door, morning had broken.

"Holden? Why are you back so early, baby?"

The moment she saw me on the porch, a flicker of sheer panic crossed her face.

She masked it quickly with an innocent smile.

"The client wrapped up early, so I took the red-eye home."

In the past, I would have scooped her into my arms the second the door opened.

Now, looking at her only made my stomach churn.

My eyes fell on her flat stomach.

Our child had been inside her just days ago.

The revulsion hit me in waves.

My initial plan was to demand an immediate divorce right on the spot.

Then my gaze landed on our framed wedding portrait hanging in the foyer.

A cold realization struck me.

A divorce was guaranteed, but letting these two off the hook so easily would be a mercy they didn't deserve.

"Holden, there's something I need to tell you..."

After I finished freshening up, Rosalie wrapped her arms around me from behind, her voice choked with tears.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

Swallowing the bile in my throat, I forced my tone to sound gentle.

"We lost the baby."

"I tripped and took a terrible fall while running errands yesterday."

"If you want to hit me or scream at me, go ahead..."

She buried her face into my back, sobbing hysterically.

"Keep acting, you pathetic liar," I sneered silently.

If this were yesterday, her tears would have completely blinded me.

I would have held her tightly and blamed myself for being away for work.

Now that I knew the truth, her tears were nothing more than a cheap performance.

Since she wanted to put on a show, I decided to play my part.

I turned around and pulled her into my arms.

"It's okay, baby. It's my fault for not being here to protect you."

"Don't beat yourself up over it."

"We're still young, so we'll have plenty of chances to try again."

As I spoke, I casually lifted the hem of her silk nightgown.

"Holden, what the hell are you doing!"

Startled by my sudden move, Rosalie shoved me away with force.

"Our baby just died, and sex is all you can think about?"

A bitter laugh nearly escaped my lips.

In that brief second, I caught sight of the dark, fresh bite marks covering her chest.

They were unmistakably from last night.

I wanted nothing more than to tear her apart right then and there.

Yet her accusation proved just how rotten she truly was.

She had the audacity to scold me for lacking empathy, right after she let another man ravage her hours after losing our child.

Whatever lingering guilt I had vanished into thin air.

"Sorry, I was out of line."

"I'm exhausted from traveling all night, so I'm going to take a nap."