chapter 2

Samuel's eyes reddened when he saw me break down.

He rushed over, wrapped his arms around my weak body, and wouldn't stop crying.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I should've protected you. You ate the wrong thing because of me, and we lost the baby…

"Don't be sad. If it comes to it, we can always adopt later."

I rested my hand on his forearm, feeling the strength in the way he held me.

My mind spun with mixed feelings.

He held me so tight, so fiercely.

And yet no one would ever imagine the truth—that the man crying in my arms was the one who killed my child.

If I hadn't overheard his plan myself, I would've lived in the dark forever.

Samuel took my hand and tried to kiss me, but I turned my face away.

"Samuel… I just want some time alone."

I was terrified I'd lose control and start screaming the questions burning inside me.

His body stiffened for a second, but then he pulled the blanket up around me and gently tucked it in.

He poured a cup of hot water and set it by my bed.

"Baby, I'm not leaving. I'll be right in the bed next to yours."

He pulled the curtain around my bed to give me space.

I studied that concerned look on his face, unable to tell if it was real or fake.

This version of him felt like a stranger.

The Samuel I knew—how could he be the same person standing in front of me now?

The night passed in silence.

The next morning, I deleted the blog account I had created months ago.

It held everything I'd poured myself into—my 108 tips for new moms, photos of my growing belly, and the little journal entries I wrote every day during my pregnancy.

I burned the tiny shoes I had sewn, along with the quilt I made for the baby.

Only one charm remained, the little talisman I kept by my bedside. I stared at it, unsure what to do.

Just as I raised my hand, ready to smash it, Samuel rushed over and stopped me.

"Baby, I know losing the baby hurts. But hurting yourself like this… it breaks my heart too.

"How about we take a trip to the hot springs and clear our heads?"

Before I could answer, a woman hurried into the room.

"Mr. Gray, one of our clients is pregnant and demanding to see her man. She said if we don't find him, she won't sign the contract—"

Samuel snapped, "I told you not to bother me! I'm staying with Hayley today—"

But when he saw who had walked in, he cut himself short and moved quickly to stand in front of her.

I had already recognized her anyway—Macy, the childhood friend he was so close to.

Without hesitation, Samuel turned to me. "Baby, I need to handle this. Why don't you head to the hot spring hotel first? I'll meet you there later.

"I already booked the room. Just show them the confirmation when you get there."

I forced a calm smile and nodded. "Work is more important. Go ahead."

He apologized again, but rushed out with Macy almost immediately.

As he disappeared down the hall, a single tear slid from the corner of my eye. Samuel had never left me because of work. Even when he had to work late, he insisted on coming home and finishing everything there.

But this time, he used work as an excuse just to see another woman.

I told my assistant to move my luggage to a hotel. Then I grabbed a cab and followed Samuel's car from a distance.

He finally pulled over near a small, isolated grove where hardly anyone passed by.

I asked the driver to stop nearby. Through the trees, I saw Samuel yank Macy's hair and shout, his face twisted with anger.

"I told you not to show up in front of Hayley. Was I not clear enough?"

Macy fell to the ground, blinking through tears that clung to her lashes.

"I didn't mean to… Samuel, I just… I missed you too much."

Then she dropped to her knees, grabbed his wrist, and pressed his hand against her cheek.

A flirtatious smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she brushed her fingers along his thigh.

"Samuel… can't you stay with me? Just one day?"

Samuel swatted her hand away, his voice turning cold. "Hayley just lost the baby. I need to be with her."

A flash of disdain crossed Macy's face before she slowly unzipped her coat.

Underneath, she was wearing black fishnet stockings.

Samuel's expression hardened. His throat moved as if something caught there.

Macy seized the moment. "Even like this… you still won't?"

Samuel was never a saint around her. He grabbed her and kissed her hard, practically growling against her lips, "You know exactly how to tempt me."