Chapter 3

3.

I lay in bed, but sleep was a ghost. I touched my belly, thinking of the child I had wanted for so long, the child I couldn't bring into this world of lies.

The afternoon sun was bright, and the cicadas were buzzing outside. It was a beautiful day for a tragedy.

Just as I was drifting off, the door creaked open. I expected Caleb, but a soft, mocking laugh filled the room.

"Sienna, stop pretending. I know you're awake," Maya said, her voice sharp.

I opened my eyes to see her sitting at my vanity. She was wearing one of my silk robes, her skin flushed from her session with my husband.

I sat up and looked toward the door. "Caleb went out to get groceries," she said, admiring herself in my mirror. "I made sure of it."

I smiled thinly. "You certainly know our schedule, don't you?"

She smirked. "I saw you at the office today. How did it feel? Watching the man you love worship another woman?"

I felt a pang in my chest, but I didn't let it show. "Are you sure you're the last one he'll do that to, Maya?"

She leaned back, looking triumphant. "I'm positive. He loves me so much he'd die for me. Did you know about the tattoo on his thigh?"

She laughed when she saw my expression. "That's my mark. He only married you because his family threatened to cut him off from the company."

"He only touches you when you're ovulating, right? And it's over in twenty minutes?" she taunted. "He just spent two hours screaming my name."

Every word was a knife to my heart. I stared at her, seeing the malice behind her pretty face.

She stood up and walked to the bed, patting my stomach through the duvet. "Take care of that baby, Sienna. Caleb might actually like you for a few minutes if you deliver his heir."

"Otherwise," she whispered, "he might just find the baby a new mother."

My blood ran cold. I shoved her away with a burst of strength. She stumbled back, but when she saw Caleb entering the room, she threw herself to the floor.

"Sienna, I was just trying to help!" she sobbed, tears appearing instantly. "I just wanted you to get some exercise for the baby's sake! Why would you push me?"

Caleb dropped the bags and rushed to her side, gathering her in his arms. He looked at me with pure rage.

"Sienna! You're going to be a mother! Have some damn compassion!" he roared. "Is this how your family raised you? To be a bully?"

I didn't say a word. I just got up and went to the yoga room. I needed to keep my strength up for what was coming.

At dinner, Caleb brought me a bowl of soup, trying to play the good guy again. "Sienna, don't be mad. I made this myself."

He tried to pull me into his lap, rubbing my stomach. "Tell Mommy not to be mad at Daddy anymore, little one."

His touch made my skin crawl. I pushed him away. "I'm not mad."

But when I saw Maya sitting at the table, wearing that smug grin, my appetite vanished. She pushed a bowl of broth toward me.

"You're so thin, Mrs. Sterling. Drink up. Caleb spent all afternoon on this."

She rested her hand on Caleb's shoulder, her eyes challenging me. I picked up the bowl and dumped it directly into the trash can.

I walked upstairs, leaving Caleb shouting behind me.