chapter 8

But fear crept back in fast.

"You used to love Macy. How can you treat her like this now?"

Samuel stiffened as if I had hit a nerve. "No, baby. I never loved her. We only ended up together because a rival drugged me that night. I was out of my mind when it happened."

He paused, searching my face before continuing. "And about our first baby… I didn't ask you to end the pregnancy because my career was taking off. You were at high risk for an ectopic pregnancy, and I didn't want you thinking it was your fault. That's why I told you that story."

So that was the truth behind my first miscarriage.

"I kept Macy around because I needed her to have a child for us. After that, I planned to stay with you and raise the baby."

He saw me waiver for a second and rushed in, "Baby, come back with me, okay?

"This time, I've thought it through. Even if we never have children, I don't want to lose you."

I stared at the earnest look in his eyes and laughed coldly inside.

What about all those dates with Macy afterward?

One time could be an accident, sure. But the dozens of photos she posted? That wasn't coincidence or strategy. That was him choosing her, over and over.

I remembered the kind of pain that had nearly killed me back then.

Pain like that didn't just fade. It didn't let you forgive someone and pretend everything could go back to normal.

He hid it from me and made all these choices on his own.

He knew I'd be furious. He knew I might leave for good. And he still chose to do it.

Adults lived with their choices. So did he.

I straightened and rejected him without a second of hesitation.

A dark, vicious shine flickered in his eyes. He lunged to grab my hand.

"If that's the case, then I'll just have to keep you with me."

Before he could touch me, Isaias jolted forward and slapped Samuel's hand away.

"What the hell are you doing? She's my wife, not something you can claim whenever you feel like it."

Samuel turned on him, veins bulging at his temple. In the next second, he swung a punch.

"She's my wife! We've been married for three years!"

Isaias caught his fist, staggering back a step from the impact.

Seeing him wince made my stomach twist. I stepped forward and slapped Samuel across the face.

"Have you lost your mind? I've already been declared legally dead. As far as the law is concerned, our marriage ended a long time ago."

Chapter 11 Of Course I Choose Him

Samuel pressed a hand to his cheek, staring at me like he couldn't believe what had just happened.

"You slapped me—for him?"

His voice trembled with outrage. "Do you even know who he really is? He's nothing but a complete fraud!"

Isaias touched his nose and murmured, barely audible, "Honey… I'm sorry."

"Shut up! Don't call her that!"

Samuel cut him off sharply and barreled on.

"He's actually the only son of the wealthiest man. When he goes back, he's inheriting a fortune."

Isaias stepped in quickly. "Hayley, it's not that I didn't want to tell you. I just… never found the right moment."

Then his eyes softened. "But I know you don't want to leave with him. We can talk once we're home."

I hadn't expected Isaias to come from that kind of world.

But we've already built something real.

When I was sick, he carried me five miles to get me to a clinic.

Every day, he tried new recipes so I wouldn't get bored.

He made little surprises, and brought small gifts just to make me smile.

I saw his kindness, and it warmed me in ways I couldn't ignore.

I loved him for who he was, not for the name he carried.

So when Samuel dared to belittle him, something snapped in me. "Mr. Gray," I shouted, "please leave. You and I are divorced. We're nothing to each other now."

Then I reached for Isaias's hand—firm, deliberate.

"Of course I choose him. He's my family."

Samuel refused to back off. His voice cracked with desperation.

"I never signed the divorce papers, and you're standing right here. You're my wife. That won't change."

I yanked my hand out of his grip and glared at him. "Samuel, we're adults. Stop acting like a kid throwing a tantrum. Cheating is cheating. Falling out of love is falling out of love.

"Do yourself a favor. Wake up. Stop clinging to me. You make me sick."

Love that shows up this late was cheaper than dirt.