Chapter 2

"System error?" I slowly pulled my hand away.

"Then how did they get my pregnancy timeline wrong too?"

Three months ago, when I found out I was pregnant, he cried. Said he'd never forget that day.

But now this contract had two dates—and neither one matched my pregnancy.

I looked at him, hoping he'd give me a reason I could believe.

He said nothing.

I felt my throat tighten.

"It's because their premier suites are so limited, isn't it? That's why you rushed to book it."

"Elena—"

Leon stood, turning his back to me. His shoulders were rigid.

Finally, he spoke.

"Her name is Liana. She's an intern at our company."

The name hit me like a gunshot.

His voice dropped.

"Last year at the holiday party, I had too much to drink... She's young. She's under a lot of pressure right now..."

Too much to drink?

I almost laughed.

Didn't anyone tell him that when he's drunk, he can't even get it up?

"After that night, she got pregnant. Turned out to be twins."

His voice got quieter.

"She wanted to terminate, but I said no. They're two lives..."

I finished for him:

"So she's giving birth at the retreat under my name?"

"That way you get to keep your 'perfect husband' image."

"After all, your wife—Elena Morrison—is pregnant."

"Everyone will assume I gave birth to them. And your bastards become legitimate heirs."

Leon's eyes stayed down.

"You even made yourself a cover story," I said, smiling through tears.

"How thoughtful."

"Elena, I love you. I've only ever loved you."

He crouched down again, gripping my hands.

"She was an accident. I have no feelings for her. I just..."

"I just couldn't let a young girl go through an abortion. It would damage her body. Once the babies are born, she'll leave. I promise."

I looked at this man—the one I'd married three years ago, the one I thought I'd grow old with.

My heart turned to ash.

"You couldn't bear to make her terminate... So I should?"

Pain flickered across Leon's face.

Then he went silent.

No more explanations. No more protests. No more declarations of love.

That silence cut deeper than any words.

He was waiting for me to say it.

He didn't want my baby.

The thought struck like lightning. My entire body went cold.

"Elena." He looked up, pain still in his eyes—but what came out of his mouth was colder than anything before.

"That girl has been... unstable lately. Threatening to hurt herself because the babies won't have legal status."

He paused, the sympathy in his eyes undisguised.

"Two days ago, she slit her wrists with a fruit knife. We caught her just in time."

He lowered his gaze to the floor.

"Your body is strong. You recover fast. And you've had a miscarriage before, so one more time won't matter."

My blood turned to ice.

"What did you just say?"

He didn't look at me. Kept staring at the floor.

"She's different," he said.

"She's only twenty-three. First pregnancy... She's alone in this city, no family, no support."

I opened my mouth. No sound came out.

"I know this hurts you." His grip on my hand tightened.

"But we can try again later. Your body is resilient—you got pregnant again after the last miscarriage. This time will be fine too."

He looked up, actual tears in his eyes.

"Just... do this for me. Please?"

I stared into those eyes. Heard every word.

And I laughed.

"Leon." My voice came out soft.

"Do you remember why I miscarried last time?"