Chapter 2

2 Later that night, Justin finally came to bed.

He smelled faintly of baby formula and Ashley's cheap perfume.

When the mattress dipped, I turned my back to him.

He put his hand on my waist. "Willow, don't be like this."

I didn't move.

He sighed, talking like he was talking to a child: "Grandpa is getting old, he just wants a great-grandson... we agreed about this, right? When he's older, we'll adopt him in your name, and you'll still be Mrs. Foster!"

I opened my eyes, staring at a spot in the darkness, and asked softly: "Justin, do you even remember why I can't have kids?"

He froze.

Three years ago, in that car crash, I threw myself in front of him to take the hit.

When the doctor said it would be difficult for me to get pregnant again, he cried and swore: "Willow, you're all I need."

And now, he went behind my back and got some other woman pregnant.

And then used the adoption bullshit to justify letting her give birth.

And then... brought them into our house.

All in the name of giving me a kid. What a load of crap.

The next morning, Ashley was already sitting in my spot at the breakfast table, holding the baby.

Justin sat next to her, gazing down at the infant, his eyes full of tenderness.

Mr. Foster chuckled: "This kid's an angel, he's got good luck written all over him."

Ashley lowered her head, all shy and demure: "Mr. Foster, the baby was crying all night. Justin stayed up half the night with him..."

Justin smiled, reaching out to stroke her hair.

So, this was what domestic bliss looked like, huh?

I turned to head upstairs, but then I heard Mr. Foster's voice, loud and clear:

"From today on, Ashley and the baby will be staying in the master bedroom."

I froze in my tracks.

The house could have a million rooms, it didn't matter, the master bedroom was ours.

Justin shot up. "Grandpa!"

But Mr. Foster just slammed his cane on the floor: "What? Are you going to make my great-grandson uncomfortable just to please some woman who can't give you children?"

Justin didn't say anything.

Ashley stood behind Mr. Foster, a tiny smile playing on her lips.

I didn't even have the energy to argue. I turned and went back to my room, mechanically packing my bags.

Justin burst in, grabbing my arm. "Willow! Don't do this..."

I looked at him, my face blank.

"Justin," I said softly, "if I don't go, are we all going to try to fit in the same bed?"

His face fell. He didn't say anything, but the grip on my arm loosened.

That said it all.

As I dragged my suitcase downstairs, Ashley stood in the living room, holding the baby.

She put on a concerned face and said, "Willow, the guest bedroom is so big and comfortable, you really don't have to move out!"

She wanted to watch me get kicked to the curb, but I wasn't about to give her the satisfaction.

"I wouldn't dream of it. I wish you," I glanced at the baby in her arms, and made sure every word dripped with venom: "and the Foster heir, a long and happy life."

I put extra emphasis on the word "heir," watching her fake smile falter for just a second.

She wasn't as clueless as Justin thought.

At least not in front of me. She was a master of quick changes.

"Don't say that, Willow. Justin cares about you more than anyone..."

She didn't even finish the sentence before I was out the door.

And of course, it started pouring rain.

I stood there for a moment, letting the rain soak me to the bone.

Justin didn't bother to come after me.

I couldn't even tell if the water on my face was rain or tears.

My phone buzzed.

Justin sent me a text:

【Willow, you're not as reasonable as you used to be. Just go to the company apartment for now. Once you've cooled off, I'll come pick you up.】

I let out a bitter laugh.

I walked out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left.