Chapter 2

Evelyn's POV

I didn't sleep.

Morning light filters through the kitchen window as I flip bacon in the pan. I hear footsteps behind me. Alexander wraps his arms around my waist, kisses my neck.

"Morning, honey. Let's go to the Hamptons this weekend. Just us. I want to make up for lost time."

I force a smile. "Sounds perfect."

Perfect. The word feels heavy in my mouth. How does he do it? After telling his partners I'm just a trophy wife, after sleeping with someone else while I cried over our lost baby, how can he kiss me like nothing happened?

After he finishes breakfast and leaves for work, I pull out my phone. I contact the private investigator Rachel found. Tell him to look into everything about Alexander.

The next few days, I play the perfect wife. Candlelit dinners. Walks through Central Park. Like everything's the same as before.

He holds my hand, tells me stories about work, laughs like he means it. I smile back. I feel nothing inside.

How good are you at lying, I wonder.

On the third morning, we go to the hospital together for my follow-up.

We've barely stepped into the lobby when his phone rings. He glances at the screen. His face changes.

"Sorry, honey. Emergency at the office. Can you handle going in alone?"

"I'm fine. Go."

I watch him rush off. I walk into the doctor's office alone.

The doctor's talking, but I'm staring at my phone. Messages from the investigator come in one after another. Their explicit texts. Photos. Bank transfers. My mind goes blank. I just keep scrolling.

"Ms. Hart? Ms. Hart? Are you listening?"

I snap back. I look up at the doctor. "Sorry, what?"

The doctor smiles. "I said your body's recovering well. Hormone levels look good. You'll be able to have children again."

The words stop me cold.

Have children again?

No. Not anymore.

I send the final payment to the investigator. I stand up, thank the doctor, walk out.

I head toward the elevator. Then I hear his voice. Low and sharp, coming from around the corner.

I stop. I move closer quietly.

Alexander's at the end of the hall, back to me, phone pressed to his ear. A woman's crying on the other end.

"I'm pregnant... you need to step up..."

He rubs the bridge of his nose. He sounds tired. "Get rid of it. I'll pay. Whatever clinic you want."

"But this is our baby..."

"You know where I'm at with the company right now. This gets out, I'm done."

"So I'm a problem? Our baby's a problem?"

"I love my wife. She comes first. Always has. You know the rules. Don't get any ideas."

"But you said you loved me! You said she was boring, that I made you feel alive."

"I love my wife. You're just fun, Sienna. Don't get it twisted."

"Fun? I gave you everything. I dropped out of school, moved into that apartment you picked, did everything you wanted."

"And I paid for all of it. Don't act like you didn't get something out of this."

"I'm keeping the baby."

"No, you're not. You take care of it, or you lose everything. The apartment. The job. The money. All of it."

I lean against the wall. Palm flat against the cold tile.

How ironic. Telling his mistress he loves his wife.

I finally get it. He doesn't love anyone. Just himself. His company. The perfect life he built.

Me and that girl, we're both just props in his show.

I turn around. I leave the hospital alone. Call a car home.

In the car, I stare out the window. I watch the city blur past.

Seven years. I've lived here for seven years. I gave up everything for him.

My career. My dreams. My body.

And what did he give me? Lies. Betrayal. And "I love my wife" to comfort another woman.

I open my email. I find the message from my professor. Two years old now. "Evelyn, the Amazon project will always have a spot for you. Whenever you're ready to come back."

I never replied. Because back then I still believed. Believed in Alexander. In our marriage. That I'd made the right choice.

Now I know I was wrong.

My fingers move across the screen. "Professor Foster, I accept your invitation. I'll be there in three days. Best regards, Evelyn"