I didn’t respond. I just looked at him.
The man I once believed I’d spend forever with… felt like a stranger now.
Before he could say anything else, a small voice cut through the tension.
“Big brother? Sister-in-law?”
We both turned.
Ethan stood at the doorway clutching his toy car, eyes wide and uncertain. “Are you two… fighting?”
Something inside me tightened. He wasn’t truly my brother-in-law by blood, but in my heart, I had already grown attached to him.
Damien pressed a hand to his forehead, exhaling sharply. “No, Ethan. Go back to your room.”
But Ethan’s eyes welled up. “Please don’t fight… I don’t like it when you shout.”
I couldn’t just stand there.
I walked over, crouched in front of him, and gently wiped his tears. “Hey,” I said softly, forcing a calm tone. “It’s okay. We’re not fighting. Your brother’s just busy with work, that’s all. He got a little stressed.”
He sniffled. “Really?”
I nodded with a faint smile. “Really.”
I held out my hand. “How about we go out for a bit? Just you and me. Ice cream, maybe the park? Or even those go-karts you like?”
His expression brightened a little. “Okay…”
Damien looked like he was about to intervene, but before he could, the butler entered.
“Sir,” he said respectfully, “Miss Camille called. She mentioned her sister is acting up again and insists that you come immediately.”
Damien exhaled sharply. “Now?”
“Yes, sir.”
I didn’t wait for anything else.
“Come on, Ethan,” I said, taking his hand. “Let’s go.”
And I walked away without looking back.
The sun was warm when we reached the park. Ethan ran ahead almost instantly, laughing as he chased floating bubbles blown by another child. I stood watching him, my chest heavy with thoughts I couldn’t quiet.
He looked so much like Damien.
Same eyes. Same expression when he smiled.
And somehow, that resemblance made everything hurt more.
Still, I couldn’t bring myself to hate him. None of this was his fault. As I watched him play, my hand drifted unconsciously to my stomach.
A secret I had been carrying quietly for weeks.
I was pregnant.
I had planned to tell Damien on our anniversary. I imagined his reaction so clearly—shock, then joy, then him pulling me into his arms like nothing else mattered. I thought maybe it would fix everything between us.
But now…
What was the point?
He didn’t love me. Not really. Only what I brought into his life.
I was still lost in that thought when a sudden cry broke the air.