Chapter 2

“It doesn’t matter. The child’s father is dead.”

I shut the door before she could respond, unwilling to explain further.

Orion had mentioned just days ago that he would personally review the crib’s design. I doubted he had the time or the inclination now. Besides, I didn’t want Orion’s child anymore. What use did I have for that crib?

Maybe it was the rain, or perhaps my exhaustion, but my body felt like it was being dragged into a fiery purgatory. Sweat clung to my forehead, mingling with the rain, leaving me in a haze of heat and discomfort.

A loud noise startled me awake. When I opened my eyes, Orion was there. He had broken the door, unable to reach me by phone and too impatient to wait.

“Orion, pour me a glass of water,” I whispered, my throat parched.

He brought the water, but as I reached for it, the glass tipped, and the cold liquid splashed across my face.

“Lucinda,” he snapped, his voice sharp with anger. “I asked you to book the hotel and place the orders, but here you are, lying around sleeping?”

He towered over me, his face twisted in frustration. “Marigold and my classmates are already there. They have nowhere to stay. Do you know how embarrassing this is for me?”

I stared at him, my heart sinking. Was this the same man who had once vowed to love and protect me for a lifetime?

He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me lightly. “What are you sulking about now? Is it because I asked you to go back on your own? You’ve done it before when I was busy with other social obligations.”

His words were relentless, cutting deeper with every syllable.

“I really don’t understand what you’re trying to do, Lucinda. I think you’re just trying to make your presence known because Marigold is back.”

I laughed, the sound dry and hollow. So, he knew exactly what I cared about all along.

Orion had taken my tolerance for granted all these years.

“Orion, if you feel so embarrassed, let’s just get a divorce,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.

He froze for a moment, then forced a laugh and softened his tone. Grabbing a few tissues, he began dabbing at my face. “Okay, okay, I overreacted. You know how I get when I’m anxious about these reunions.”

His words dripped with feigned affection. “Just wait a bit, and I’ll take you on a trip. How about that?”

I didn’t respond. I was too tired to argue, too weary to pull apart his mask of pretense.

We both knew the truth—I just hadn’t wanted to admit it until now. Everyone said the same thing: If Marigold hadn’t gone abroad, how could it have been my turn to marry Orion?

Back then, I had ignored my family’s objections, throwing myself headfirst into a marriage I thought would last forever. I stood by him, helped him build his company, and watched as he secured his place in Westbrook

From the outside, I was the enviable wife of a successful man—a president, no less. Orion had no known scandals, no whispers of other women. But I knew better. I knew exactly who he had been saving himself for.

He reached for my hand when I stayed silent, pulling me up. “Let’s go. Everyone’s waiting. If you don’t show up, Marigold might overthink it.”

Ignoring my resistance, he dragged me to the hotel.

When we arrived, he pushed open the box door. Laughter and conversation spilled out, but my focus immediately landed on the woman sitting in the main seat—Marigold.

It was the first time I had ever looked at her properly. She was just as stunning as her photos, her beauty amplified by a striking red dress that clung to her figure. My heart skipped a beat.

No wonder Orion always said I looked good in red. The realization clawed at me, making the pale red nightgown I wore feel utterly absurd.

Orion’s old classmate, Thaddeus, smirked and teased, “Mr. Steele, what’s going on? Are you so tight on money that your wife can’t afford a decent dress?”

The room erupted in laughter.

Orion turned to glance at me, and for a moment, I thought I might see guilt in his eyes. But there was none—just a flicker of disgust, fleeting yet unmistakable.

“She’s a housewife and pregnant. It doesn’t matter what she wears. It’s just... like that.”

The laughter grew louder, echoing in my ears.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. With a forced calm, I reached for Orion’s arm. “Honey,” I said, my tone serious, “can we step outside for a moment? I need to talk to you about the baby.”