Chapter 1

I found out I was pregnant the same day Jack’s secretary, Emma, posted a baby bump photo on Instagram.

“As long as you’re loved, you can still be a beautiful girl, even when pregnant!”

She was draped in nothing but lace lingerie, taking a mirror selfie as she leaned against a man’s chest. His hand, recognizable in an instant, rested possessively on her stomach. A wedding band, identical to mine, gleamed on his ring finger.

I left a two-word comment: “Congratulations.”

Seconds later, Emma called, her voice shaking with panic. She swore she only posted the picture to make her boyfriend jealous after a fight.

Then Jack took the phone. His voice was ice.

“Jealous because you can’t have kids yourself? No wonder you’re still not pregnant, with a heart that ugly.”

Five minutes later, Emma updated her status:

“Now I have two men to protect me, one big, one small!”

Jack liked the post immediately.

I slipped off my wedding ring, flicked it into the roadside bushes, and drove straight to the hospital to schedule an abortion.

…

Jack rarely came home before 9 PM.

When he saw the untouched bowl of medicinal soup sitting in the trash, his brows furrowed.

“Nothing better to do? Throwing a tantrum over something so trivial?”

I met his gaze, my voice steady. “I’m not angry.”

He let out a cold laugh.

“You tossed out the fertility medicine, and you say you’re not angry?”

“Do whatever you want. It’s not like I’m the one desperate for a kid.”

Just as I was about to hand him the pregnancy test report, he casually tossed me a dark shoebox.

“A gift from Emma.”

“She felt bad after upsetting you earlier. The poor thing hasn’t been through much in life, she got so scared seeing you mad that she even said something stupid about getting an abortion. She insisted on making it up to you.”

He lifted the lid.

Inside was a pair of YSL heels.

Used ones.

The soles were scuffed, and the paint on the heels was chipped.

“Take them. These aren’t cheap, you know. Emma barely wore them.”

“She’s just starting out, doesn’t make much yet. This is already a big sacrifice for her.”

I let out a soft laugh.

Half an hour ago, Emma had posted on Instagram, flaunting a brand-new pair of Chanel slippers.

“Best boss in the world!”

“Thank you for your blatant favoritism, it lets me spoil myself so shamelessly!”

When I didn’t reach for the shoes, Jack’s patience thinned.

“Lily, what’s your problem now?”

“You’re almost thirty. Why are you bullying a young girl who just doesn’t know any better?”

The box hit me square in the forehead.

Pain shot through me. I sucked in a sharp breath, pressing my fingers to the sore spot as tears welled up.

Jack’s expression shifted.

“I didn’t mean to… Let me see.”

I stepped back, dodging his hand. “I’m fine.”

But he grabbed my wrist and pried my fingers away, his face darkening when he saw the bruise.

“You call this fine?”

“Wait here. I’ll go get an ice pack.”

Before I could stop him, his phone rang.

Little Troublemaker.

“Jack!” Emma’s voice was breathless, laced with tears.

Jack instantly tensed.

“Emma, don’t panic. What’s wrong?”

“My stomach hurts. I was trying to get to the ER, but I got on the wrong subway, and now I don’t know where I am…”

Jack cursed under his breath.

“Why didn’t you call me the second you felt unwell? I was supposed to drive you there.”

Emma sniffled.

“I messed up again today and made Lily mad. I didn’t want to bother you two…”

Jack’s voice softened, full of reassurance.

“Emma, you’re pregnant. Nothing matters more than you.”

“Send me your location. I’m coming.”

“No, Jack! I can get there myself, really!”

“Besides… don’t forget, tonight is Lily’s ovulation day. You should stay with her and try for a baby!”

Jack chuckled.

“Silly girl. Doing it one more time doesn’t guarantee anything. You’re more important.”

The call ended.

Jack turned to me, exasperated.

“You heard that, right? Emma cares about you, yet you’re always so suspicious.”

“I’ll take her to the hospital and grab your ice pack on the way back.”

He reached for his keys.

“Jack, wait.”

I called out to him.

His patience snapped.

“Lily, what now?”

“This is about two lives. Can you stop being so damn petty?”

I didn’t argue.

Instead, I walked to the closet, reached into the pocket of the jacket he’d worn a few days ago, and pulled out a small plastic card.

Emma’s health insurance card.

She never handled hospital paperwork herself. Jack always kept it for her.

I held it out.

“Don’t forget this.”

Jack froze.

After a beat, he took it.

“Thanks.”

For a second, he hesitated, as if he wanted to say something else.

But I straightened his collar, just like I always did when seeing him off.

I knew this was the last time.

Jack studied my face, something shifting in his expression.

Then, suddenly, he pulled me into his arms, pressing me against his chest.

“I’ll be back soon. Wait for me.”