Chapter 3
“What exactly are you doing?” James’s face darkened.
“You want a child with me? Fine, that’s your choice. But Susan is joining the company–and that’s non–negotiable.”
My heart sank. It was clear what he meant.
I stared at him for a moment, let out a bitter laugh, and walked out of the private room.
As soon as I left, James rallied the others, the room buzzing with chatter and laughter.
Outside, the air was cold and quiet. I pulled out my phone and typed a long message to my aunt
overseas.
When I got home, I saw Susan’s post on social media.
The photos showed her and James almost touching faces, their hands wearing the rings.
Her caption read: [My boss gave me a new ring, personally delivered by the boss’s wife.]
A few sneaky emojis followed.
I immediately commented: [Then will the “boss’s wife” let you do it properly?]
Minutes later, James called.
The moment I answered, he snapped, “Have you had enough? First you make a scene at the party, now stirring trouble in someone’s comments?
Susan had her difficulties back then–why do you have to single her out? Delete that comment right now! Are you so obsessed with trying to conceive that your brain’s gone soft?”
Before I could reply, he hung up.
It felt like a knife had pierced my chest; every breath burned.
I had known James for ten years. Never once had he spoken harshly to me. And now, to defend Susan, he had the nerve to say my mind was “spoiled from trying to conceive.”
I glanced at the bottle of fertility vitamins on the bedside table. James had bought them for me six months ago, claiming they would help with fertility.
Chapter 3
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If my doctor friend hadn’t checked them two days ago, I never would have known that the “fertility vitamins” I had been taking every day were actually contraceptives.
So James didn’t want a child with me.
Late into the night, James finally returned home, supported by his assistant.
The moment he got in, he barked, “Hailey! Get me a glass of honey water. I feel terrible.”
I stayed seated on the couch, pretending not to hear him.
He stumbled over, grabbed my shoulder, and glared at me, “You’re still mad at me? Everything I’ve done is for you! You want the century wedding, you want a child–don’t I have to earn for that? And now, you won’t even get me a glass of honey water!”
The smell of alcohol hit my face, and nausea surged through me.
Yet he leaned in, trying to kiss me. My eyes caught a smear of lipstick on his collar.
My stomach churned violently. I shoved him away, and he toppled onto the couch, sobering slightly, his face twisted in fury.
“Hailey, do you really think I can’t live without you?”
Then, in front of me, he dialed a number. After two sentences, he hung up and closed his eyes.
Minutes later, Susan appeared in my home. She strode straight to James, helping him up and
draping him over her shoulder, smiling at me.
“Hailey, you’re focused on trying for a baby anyway. Why not leave Mr. Bennett in my hands from now on? After all, someone’s got to look after his personal matters.”
Chapter 3
