Chapter 2

2

I moved my bags into my room and went to take a shower.

Outside the door, the three of them acted as if nothing had happened, laughing and playing with the baby.

"The little guy is hungry. I'm going to the bedroom to feed him," Roxy announced.

"Just do it here," Jude replied. "It's not like I haven't seen everything already."

I heard Roxy give a playful, suggestive giggle. "Oh, you're terrible."

It was clear that this wasn't just about providing an heir. They were having a full-blown affair right under my mother's nose.

The warm water hit my face, but I felt cold to the bone.

Later that night, Roxy came into my room and cried for an hour.

"I'm an orphan, Caleb. Your mom treats me better than her own blood. I couldn't let her down."

She grabbed my hand, her voice shaking. "She loves Jude so much. She wanted him to have a legacy. How could I say no?"

"You're always at sea. It's hard for two women alone. This baby keeps Jude here to take care of us so you can work without worrying."

She even had the nerve to try a final selling point. "Jude agreed the baby can take your last name. He'll call you Daddy. Just accept him for all the sacrifices Jude has made."

I blew out a slow puff of smoke. Her face was a blur through the grey haze.

But for the first time, I saw her clearly for what she was.

"I remember you used to hate being touched by people you didn't like," I said quietly.

"So... you've actually fallen for Jude, haven't you?"

She buried her face in her hands and sobbed harder. Her silence was all the answer I needed.

The two women I was closest to were both in love with the same man. I was the ghost in my own home.

Suddenly, the door swung open. My mother dragged me out toward the living room.

"Roxy's done with her postpartum recovery. Jude is sleeping with her tonight."

I stared at her, my jaw dropping. "Are you serious right now?"

"Dead serious. Jude is younger than me. He has needs. If I hadn't had my hysterectomy, I'd handle it myself."

She shrugged as if she were talking about the weather. "It's not the first time. They can look after the baby together so I don't have to get up in the middle of the night."

These people were repulsive.

I didn't argue. I grabbed my pillow and went to the couch.

In a month, none of this would matter anymore.

As I closed my eyes, I heard the unmistakable sounds of moaning coming from the bedroom.

Then, the sharp cry of the baby pierced the air.

I thought back to our wedding day. Roxy had looked into my eyes and promised to love me forever.

I guess every promise eventually turns into a lie.