Chapter 2

2

It had been three years since Grant proposed, yet we still hadn't signed our marriage papers.

I used to nag him about when we would finally become legal.

He would just smile and say, "Aren't we already a couple? What difference does a piece of paper make?"

I'd pretend to agree, but deep down, it felt like a hole in my heart.

When I found out I was pregnant, my first thought was that we'd finally get married. I didn't think Grant would let his child be born without a father's legal name.

Now, I felt lucky. Without that piece of paper, leaving would be much easier.

I touched my empty stomach. My heart felt just like my womb―it would never beat for Grant again.

Grant's hand froze. He frowned at me with pure frustration.

"Nina, Vivian is my childhood best friend. She just got back to the States and doesn't know anyone. What's the big deal if I spent her birthday with her?"

"Can you please fix your jealousy issues? It's getting old."

I let out a dry, bitter laugh. My body was still aching from the loss.

I was actually relieved the baby wouldn't have a father like him. A child raised by a man so heartless would never be happy.

Seeing my silence, Grant tossed a small jewelry box onto the table like he was doing me a favor.

"Look, it was wrong of Vivian to hang up on you. This bracelet is an apology."

It was a pink diamond bracelet. A few stones were clearly missing.

I never liked pink jewelry. It was obviously Vivian's style, not mine.

I thought about the emerald heirloom on Vivian's wrist. That was supposed to be for the woman who married into the Rivers family.

I had once begged Grant to let me wear it. I thought since we were engaged, I earned that right.

But he had refused me instantly. He said he'd put it on me himself at our wedding.

I was stupid enough to believe him.

I waited three years for that moment.

And in the end, I saw it on another woman's arm.

This pink bracelet was probably just trash Vivian threw away after getting the emerald one.

I sneered and tossed the box directly into the trash can.

"I'm not a recycling center, Grant. Don't bring your garbage to me."

Grant's patience finally snapped. He stood up and glared at me.

"Vivian specifically picked that out because she liked it! She wanted to make things right. Is this how you treat her kindness?"

He was fuming. I had clearly hit a nerve, but I wasn't scared anymore.

"You gave your childhood sweetheart a family heirloom, but you give me a piece of junk. You call that an apology?"

"It's obvious Vivian matters more to you than I do. Let's just end this so she can have my spot."

Grant took a few deep breaths, his face darkening with rage.

"Are you serious? You want to break up?"

I didn't hesitate for a second.

"I'm sure."

Grant's eyes widened in disbelief. "I'm giving you a way out, and you're still not satisfied? Why are you always so jealous of Vivian? Control your emotions, Nina!"

"Think about the baby! Just go calm down!"