Chapter 3

3

Two years ago, when I found out I was pregnant, Caleb acted thrilled.

I hadn't been sure about having kids so soon, but his excitement convinced me.

We had even started planning our wedding then.

But one day, while shopping for baby clothes with Seraphina, she tripped and grabbed my arm, pulling me down with her.

I hit the ground hard, and I could feel the life draining out of me right there on the sidewalk.

I had always been physically delicate, and the doctors had warned me to be extra careful during the first trimester.

I was only eight weeks along. I lost the baby.

The doctors told me the complications from that loss would make it nearly impossible for me to conceive again.

Caleb used a business crisis as an excuse to postpone the wedding after that.

Seraphina had gotten on her knees, sobbing and begging for my forgiveness, swearing it was an accident.

Despite the pain, I couldn't bring myself to hate her back then.

I avoided her for six months, but when her mother passed away, I stepped in to help her arrange the funeral.

My soft heart led me right back into her trap.

Now, I wondered if she had tripped on purpose just to kill my child.

If she was pregnant now, it was the ultimate insult.

I hid behind a pillar and watched them exit the exam room, glowing with happiness.

Seraphina was clutching a sonogram photo. "Caleb, tell me I'm not dreaming. We're finally having a baby."

Caleb wrapped his arms around her. "You aren't dreaming. I'm finally going to be a father."

I leaned back and let out a silent, bitter laugh.

They were having a child while I was left with nothing but scars.

What was I to him all these years? Just a placeholder?

Seraphina's expression turned worried. "Caleb, how are you going to tell Summer? I don't want our baby to be a secret."

Caleb soothed her. "I'm not going to let that happen. Once the company goes public, I'll get her to sign over her shares, and then I'm done with her. We'll be a real family."

Seraphina leaned into him. "You better not be lying."

"I would never lie to you," he promised.

I felt a surge of pure disgust. They were monsters.

As they walked away, I ran to a nearby trash can and retched until there was nothing left in my stomach.

I felt weak, like my soul was leaving my body.

The world went black.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed.

A young nurse was changing my IV drip. She noticed I was awake and asked, "How are you feeling? Do you need the doctor?"

I shook my head.

Physically, I was fine. Mentally, I was in pieces.

She checked my vitals and then said, "The man who brought you in is waiting outside. He seems to know you. Should I let him in?"

I sat up, confused.

A tall, handsome man with a kind face walked into the room.

He looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place him.

He saw my puzzled expression and chuckled, pointing to himself. "Summer, don't tell me you forgot about me already? Take a good look."

It took a moment, but then it clicked.

"Xander Reed! What are you doing here?!"

Xander had been my neighbor growing up until his family moved away in elementary school. We hadn't seen each other in over a decade.

He smiled and patted my hand. "I'm back in town for work. I didn't expect to run into you like this."

I remembered I had fainted near the OB-GYN clinic. "Wait... were you at the women's clinic?"

Xander explained, "I just got back from my residency abroad and I'm starting as a surgeon here next week. I was just dropping off some paperwork for a colleague."

So little Xander grew up to be a doctor. He used to be such a troublemaker.

Xander saw the look on my face and smirked. "Hey, don't look at me like that. I'm actually pretty good at my job."

"I believe you," I joked weakly.

He crossed his arms. "So, care to explain why you collapsed in the hallway? The doctors said it's just a touch of the flu and exhaustion, but you look like you've seen a ghost."

The memories of Seraphina and Caleb flashed through my mind, making me shiver.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Caleb.

I put it to my ear, hearing his fake concern. "Summer, I heard you were at the hospital. What happened? Why were you there?"

I almost laughed. He wasn't worried about me; he was worried I'd seen him.

"I felt sick and passed out as soon as I got here," I said coldly.

He sounded relieved. "Are you okay?"

"Are you coming to see me?" I asked.

There was a long pause. "I'll try to make it later, babe. Things are just crazy at the office."

I hung up before he could say another word.

I couldn't dump him until the business matters were settled, but I couldn't stand the sound of his voice.

Xander was about to say something when my phone pinged again.

It was a notification from Seraphina's secret account.

I opened it and saw her latest post.

"Great news, everyone! I'm pregnant! Caleb says this is the best gift ever. I can't wait to meet our little one."

The video showed them shopping for baby gear together.

Caleb had never once gone shopping for our baby.

I stared at the screen, my heart hardening into stone.

He was playing house with his mistress while his girlfriend was in a hospital bed.

Seven years. It was all a lie.

My father sent me a text right then, saying he had finished the paperwork to pull our funding from Caleb's company.

I didn't hesitate. I sent Caleb a five-word text.

―― "We are over. It's finished."