Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After finalizing the legal details with my lawyer, I scheduled an appointment at the clinic to terminate the pregnancy.

The procedure was set for three days later, so I returned to our house to pack my belongings.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw the open laptop sitting on the coffee table.

Just hours before the party, we were curled up together on the couch, happily picking out our wedding attire.

In less than half a day, my entire life had turned into a sick joke.

Just as I finished packing my valuables, the front door clicked open. Harrison walked in.

His eyes flashed with panic when he spotted the packed luggage by the entryway.

"Are you trying to divorce me? I won't allow it."

"I only came clean so Chloe and Grace wouldn't have to live in secret anymore."

I took a deep breath, fighting down the wave of nausea rising in my chest.

"Harrison, what makes you think I would ever agree to share a home with your dirty little family?"

"You know better than anyone how much I despise cheaters."

He knew the truth. My mother had found proof of my father's infidelity while they were driving.

My mother, who had a fiery temper, completely lost her composure, and a vicious screaming match broke out in the car.

My father lost control of the steering wheel, and the car smashed through the highway guardrail.

Both of them died on impact.

I was sixteen that year, and Chloe was only ten.

Harrison's expression shifted uncomfortably, but he quickly smoothed it over.

"Chloe is different. She's your sister! Since you can't get pregnant anyway, why can't you just raise her child as your own?"

"Hasn't she suffered enough guilt for your sake over the past three years?"

My entire body trembled with pure, unadulterated fury.

I opened my mouth, tempted to throw my pregnancy in his face just to see the look on his smug features.

Then I stopped myself. He didn't deserve to know.

"Audrey, by choosing you, I gave up my right to ever have a biological child. Now that we have a perfect solution―"

"Shut your filthy mouth!"

I cut him off furiously, hot tears burning my eyes again.

I grabbed the handle of my suitcase and made a beeline for the door.

"There is nothing left between us."

"I'll just consider the eight years I wasted on you as scraps thrown to a stray dog."

Harrison froze for a second before lunging forward, trapping me tightly against his chest.

The suffocating scent of Chloe's perfume instantly assaulted my senses.

He masked his desperation with a softer, pleading tone.

"Audrey, the woman I love is you. I'll make it up to you and treat you better than ever. Just please don't leave."

His warm breath grazed my neck, sending an icy chill down my spine.

Right then, the front door unlocked with a faint click.

Chloe walked into the foyer.