Chapter 3

2.

Watching Grant tenderly comfort her made my heart ache with a sharp, stabbing pain.

We met in college.

To keep him from feeling pressured, I hid my identity as the daughter of the city's wealthiest tycoon.

When he was building his career, I secretly funneled resources to him.

I let him believe he was just that talented.

Before our wedding, his twin brother Gideon died in a tragic accident.

Grant said April was too lonely and wanted her to move in so we could look after her.

My parents were dead set against it.

But I thought he was just being a responsible, stand-up guy.

Now I realized they had probably started their affair back then.

I closed my eyes and let out a cold laugh.

Simply leaving seemed too easy on them.

I went to the guest room and called my best friend.

"Schedule the procedure. As soon as possible."

There was a long silence on the other end.

"Avery, are you sure? This might be your only chance with him…"

"I'm sure."

My voice was hard as flint.

Why keep this child?

To have them grow up as proof of "good luck from the sister-in-law"?

The next morning, Grant saw I wasn't making a scene and actually smiled.

"That's more like it, Avery. You need to be more sensible. Stop throwing tantrums over nothing."

"The signing is tomorrow, so we have to continue the 'Spring Blessing' tonight. We can't break the cycle."

April pretended to protest beside him.

"Grant, maybe we should stop. I don't want Avery to feel bad…"

I watched them coldly, saying nothing.

While Grant was in his study handling contracts, I went into our bedroom to pack.

When I opened the closet, I froze.

Tucked away were several sets of provocative lingerie―lace, sheer mesh, silk slips. None of them were mine.

April sauntered in, picking up the clothes with a fake blush and a giggle.

"Oh, sorry Avery. I must have left those in the wrong spot. I had Grant buy them for me, but I didn't realize…"

She looked down, sighing softly. "You're quite far along now, and he has needs. You understand, right?"

Understand?

I looked at her and suddenly burst into a soft laugh.

"So, April, are you saying I should thank you for taking care of my man's urges?"

The weakness on April's face vanished instantly.

Her smile faded, replaced by a gaze full of mockery.

"Avery, do you really think Grant actually loves you?"

She slowly raised her hand, her fingers brushing a jade pendant around her neck.

My breath hitched.

That jade…

It was a protective heirloom I'd worn since I was a child.

After Gideon's accident, I was worried about Grant's safety.

I took it off and tied it around his neck myself.

"This has kept me safe for over a decade," I told him. "Wear it, and you'll stay out of harm's way."

He had held my hand then, looking at me with such devotion.

"You're the most important thing in the world to me," he vowed. "I'll never take it off."

And now―it was hanging around April Sinclair's neck.

She savored the change in my expression, her eyes glinting with triumph.

"He never once cherished anything you gave him."

"If you hadn't gotten lucky and fallen pregnant, I'd be the one wearing the Sterling ring by now!"