Chapter 3

3

Harrison's face turned pale. He glanced around in paranoid vigilance, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.

"Who gave you permission to come to my house? Didn't I tell you that even if the sky falls, you are never to appear in front of my wife?!"

Tears welled up in the girl's eyes as she gently stroked her lower belly.

"Even if I can control myself, I can't stop the baby from missing its daddy... Harrison, can you please not be so heartless?"

As if pulled by a string, I stepped out into the entryway. Spotting me, Harrison slammed the front door shut behind him.

"Ro... Rowan? Why are you out here?"

Forcing myself to stay composed, I tugged the corners of my mouth into a faint smile. "I just came out to grab a glass of water."

Flustered, Harrison took a few quick steps toward me, then stopped awkwardly a few paces away.

"Rowan, a sudden issue came up with the premiere that requires my attention right now. Wait for me at home, okay? I'll bring you a gift when I get back."

I gave a silent nod, taking in every ounce of panic hidden beneath his eyes.

Yet the second the door clicked shut behind him, my entire body began to shake. A suffocating weight pressed on my chest as I followed his path outside.

He led the girl in a frantic rush toward the underground parking garage. The moment they reached a secluded corner, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

Nausea surged in my throat. I crouched in the shadow of a concrete pillar, watching the scene in silence.

In that moment, I felt like a rat in a sewer, secretly watching someone steal the happiness that once belonged to me.

I dug my fingernails deep into my palms, forcing myself to stay silent.

"Be good lately. If you miss me next time, let me know earlier so I can make time to see you," Harrison murmured, stroking her hair with tender affection.

The girl pouted, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Your eyes are always glued to your wife. How am I supposed to know when you'll miss me or when you'll be willing to see me?"

She caressed his chest as she whined, and both of them seemed completely lost in the intoxicating thrill of it.

Bitterness and heartache flooded my chest. I clamped both hands over my mouth, terrified of letting out even the faintest whimper.

Watching them climb into the back of the car, the girl flushed deeply. "Harrison, the doctor said after the first trimester it's totally safe... Why don't we do it today...?"

Harrison glanced at his surroundings with lingering caution, his tone resolute. "Not here. We might run into someone we know. Let's head to our usual spot."

The familiar luxury sedan roared past my hiding spot. Tears finally cascaded down my cheeks as I curled tightly into a ball on the cold concrete floor, weeping silently in the dark.

...

I didn't know how I dragged myself back upstairs. By the time I regained awareness of my surroundings, I was already lying numbly under the blanket.

The girl kissing Harrison in the garage was his devoted fangirl.

Briar White.