Chapter 2

After we returned from the Clerk’s Office, Lucas seemed deep in thought. He stood by the window like a statue for what felt like an eternity before finally turning around and pulling me from my chair.

“We’re going to the hospital.”

I jerked back in panic. Hospital? Did he want to get rid of my baby?

“No! I’m not going, even if you drag me there!”

But he didn’t stop. His grip was firm, and despite my resistance, he carried me out of the house like I was a child.

Sharing his body heat as we moved in sync, part of me wished the hospital wasn’t our destination. I could’ve stayed wrapped in his arms forever.

At the entrance of the private hospital, after another struggle, Lucas finally got me into the maternity ward. It was all because of the words he whispered in my ear.

“Be good. Listen.”

His voice was both soothing and seductive, sending shivers from my ear straight to my heart. Pressed up against him, I felt like I was short-circuiting, and before I knew it, I let go of the door.

Ugh... beauty is my downfall.

Lucas registered me with a specialist. The doctor’s name was familiar.

Madeline Collins.

Lucas’s first love!

She wasn’t beautiful in the same way I was. Her charm was in her gentle grace, her soft, serene smile, and her ever-tidy appearance that radiated a warm, morning light.

“Chloe, you’re three weeks pregnant...”

Her hand trembled slightly as she held the ultrasound report, but she smiled anyway. This was the kind of woman Lucas liked. Meanwhile, I used my cold, cruel words to protect my fragile pride.

My mom had been the other woman, who had taken Madeline’s mother’s place in the Collins family. I was the shameless younger sister who had stolen Madeline’s engagement to Lucas.

I was lucky enough to inherit my mother’s looks—seductive, cunning—and managed to steal two short years with Lucas in the shadows of my long, dreary life.

Lucas’s brows furrowed—always a sign that he was annoyed.

I’d been prepared for this, but it still hurt to see how angry my pregnancy made him.

He stood up, brushed past me, and walked over to Madeline.

Was he really that eager to comfort another woman right in front of me? We weren’t even divorced yet!

Gently, he took the ultrasound printout from Madeline’s hands and straightened it out, his voice cold.

“You creased it.”

He pressed it down a few more times, but there were still fingerprints. He turned to Madeline and said seriously, “Print another one.”

Me: ???

What kind of plot twist was this? His OCD was acting up at a time like this?

For the first time, Madeline’s flawless smile faltered.

“Lucas, I didn’t mean to.”

Lucas’s gaze shifted to her. “My mom only had one child.”

Then, without a hint of sarcasm, he added, “Are you my dad’s illegitimate daughter?”

Tears welled up in Madeline’s eyes. “You’re being too harsh! I’ll tell your father!”

Lucas nodded, “Feel free.”