chapter 3

Standing there, I felt like a clown.

I turned around before anyone could see my tears. I said I wasn’t feeling well and wheeled myself out.

But the wheel got stuck.

No matter how hard I pushed, it wouldn’t move.

One hard shove, and the chair tipped over.

I was thrown to the ground.

I wanted to call for help, but then I saw Zach and Sierra talking alone in a quiet corner.

I didn’t want them to see me like this. So I used my hands to crawl away as fast as I could.

Sharp rocks tore into my arms, and the pain nearly made me cry.

But compared to what I heard next, that pain was nothing.

Zach’s voice was soft, full of longing.

“I’ve missed you so much.”

He had never said anything like that to me. Not once in all these years of marriage.

Sierra laughed and teased, “Oh, stop. Your wife’s gorgeous. She used to be the top beauty in our dance company. No matter how hard I tried, I was always second to her. You married her. How could you still miss me?”

“Of course I do. I never even touched her after we got married.”

He looked into her eyes and said, “You know it’s always been you.”

I covered my mouth to stop myself from crying.

No wonder he had always kept his distance. I thought he was protecting me. Turned out, he was saving himself for Sierra.

One time, he got drunk and I tried to get close. He clearly wanted it too, but at the last second, he pushed me away.

The next morning, he apologized and said, “I don’t want our first time to be something you regret. It should be perfect.”

I was so touched. I really thought he loved me.

But now I knew the truth. And it was cruel.

Sierra giggled, “Well, I guess I don’t have to worry then. People always say you’re crazy about her. I thought you two would have a house full of kids.”

“How could we?” he said. “I had her uterus removed.”

I froze.

What did that even mean?

“She was unconscious after the crash. I told the doctors to take it out. She’ll never have kids. Ever.

“And your baby will be the only heir to the Sutton family.”

His eyes never left Sierra’s face. So soft. So full of love.

His words hit me like an ice pick straight to the heart.

It hurt so bad I could barely breathe.

He knew how badly I wanted a child.

My parents died when I was young. All I ever dreamed of was having someone who shared my blood.

But for the woman he loved, he took that from me. He ripped away my right to be a mother.

This was sick.

How could someone be this disgusting?

I couldn’t hold it back. I started gagging.

Footsteps came closer. Then a quiet male voice said, “So now you know.

“Do you regret it?”

I lowered my head and stayed silent for a long time. I swallowed the taste of blood rising in my throat.

Then I said, “You once told me that if I ever changed my mind, I could come find you. Does that still count?”