Chapter 3

3

I recognized the cards immediately. They were for Sia's studio.

The skincare products were the same ones sold at her front desk.

Even though I knew they were sleeping together, I couldn't help but ask.

"When did the company start giving these out as gifts?"

Carly answered honestly.

"Since the beginning of the year. Every holiday gift has been from there."

So, Holden had been funding Sia's business for an entire year.

I decided right then to take the staff to that very medspa.

I told them I was treating everyone to a premium session.

When we arrived, Sia was nowhere to be seen.

I insisted that only she could do my massage and made the manager call her in.

Thirty minutes later, Sia arrived, looking flushed and irritated.

Her anger evaporated the moment she realized I was the client.

"Jenevieve, you're here. What can I do for you today?"

Holden walked in right behind her, looking absolutely stunned to see me.

I got ahead of him. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought you were tied up with a client emergency?"

His brain stalled for a few seconds before he found his footing.

"I finished early. I stopped by to pick up some products for my mom."

It was a perfect lie. I nodded, playing along with the charade.

I ordered every single premium service on the menu.

Holden stayed by my side, feeding me fruit and acting like the perfect husband.

He didn't give Sia a single look.

Occasionally, he'd tell her to be careful not to press too hard on my skin.

He was a great actor, right up until the sound of a jar shattering hit the floor.

Sia had dropped a cream jar and cut her hand trying to pick it up.

Before she could cry out, the manager rushed in to handle the mess.

Sia was sent away, and the manager took over my service personally.

Holden watched Sia walk away with a cold stare.

But his clenched fist at his side betrayed his true anxiety.

The treatment continued, but Holden was clearly distracted.

When his phone finally rang, he looked like a man being rescued.

"Babe, work again. I have to go handle this. Wait for me here, okay?"

I nodded.

As soon as he stepped out of the room, he didn't even check for cameras.

He went straight into the employee breakroom.

I clutched the prenatal report Sia had "accidentally" left near my bag.

I didn't have the heart to finish the treatment. I didn't wait for Holden.

I texted him saying I went shopping with a friend nearby.

He sent a short "Okay" and nothing else.

I took a taxi straight to the hospital.

The doctor was shocked when I told her I wanted to end the pregnancy.

She looked at my files―multiple failed IVF rounds, a high-risk pregnancy.

I had endured thousands of injections just to keep this baby alive.

"Are you sure? You've been through so much to get this far."

Seven years ago, I had saved Holden in a car crash.

The injuries I sustained then made it nearly impossible for me to conceive.

I spoke calmly. "I'm sure. I don't want this child anymore."

She didn't push further. "I'll schedule the procedure immediately."

When it was over, I arranged for the remains to be cremated.

I walked out of the hospital, wrapping my coat tight against the wind.

Right then, Holden called, saying he was coming to take me to dinner.

In the car, he looked at my pale face with forced concern.

"Babe, you look terrible. Are you feeling sick?"

I studied him, pretending not to notice the fresh scratch marks on his neck.

I looked out the window and made up a lie.

"I haven't had an appetite lately. I'm just tired."

I was naturally thin, and the pregnancy didn't show much yet.

With the heavy winter clothes, it was impossible to tell I was no longer pregnant.

Holden hadn't noticed a thing.

Instead, he took me to a high-end jewelry store.

He thought I was just dealing with third-trimester anxiety.

He bought me millions of dollars worth of diamonds on the spot.

Then he took me to a baby boutique to buy nursery supplies.

He discussed strollers and diapers with the clerk like an expert.

Everyone praised him, calling him a "dream husband" and a "future great dad."

Looking at this man who pretended to love me to the bone, I almost screamed.

I wanted to ask why he was having a child with another woman.

As he talked about our "happy future as a family of three," I answered in my head.

Holden, there is no "us" anymore.