Chapter 2

The pregnancy test stick in my palm felt like it was on fire, repeatedly scorching me.

I looked at him, not stubbornly demanding an answer like last time.

Because the woman's triumphant smirk and bulging belly explained everything.

I picked up my bag, ready to leave.

Caleb snuffed out his cigarette and blocked my path, a vengeful pleasure flickering in his eyes.

"You still had lingering ties with Julian, and I never said a harsh word. You didn't want to have kids with me because of him, and I didn't blame you excessively."

"Now I have a child with someone else, and I'm not even asking you to raise it. Why are you acting like I've wronged you?"

The smile on his lips widened, his tone growing more self-righteous.

"We're childhood sweethearts, Audrey. I'm just having an affair; it won't threaten your position."

That familiar dull ache spread through my heart.

He wasn't wrong.

I'd been through this; I had experience.

So this time, I didn't say much, just slapped him.

"Caleb Johnson, you disgust me."

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

The smile on Caleb's face faded. He grabbed my hand, his eyes turning cold.

"You have the nerve to call me disgusting? You've been married twice! Why should I be loyal to you?"

The pregnancy test stick finally gave way under the pressure.

Crack. It snapped in half, piercing my flesh.

I didn't feel the pain, but tears fell.

Caleb's eyes narrowed, a hint of panic flashing through them. He instinctively softened.

"Alright, I promise you, once the baby is born, I'll send her away."

Looking at that face I'd known for over a decade.

I only felt a profound sense of unfamiliarity.

He touched what was in my palm, freezing slightly. "What are you holding?"

I shook him off and tossed the broken stick into the trash.

My eyelids drooped, my voice barely a whisper.

"It's not important. Unwanted trash."

I was talking about the baby.

I was also talking about myself, abandoned for the second time.

Caleb furrowed his brow, about to ask again.

But a cry of pain from behind him drew his attention.

The woman, stroking her belly, slowly took off her mask.

One look, and I was frozen stiff.

She was the same college student Julian had pinned against the window, having sex with, three years ago. And she was also the underprivileged student I'd sponsored for years.