Chapter 2

My eyes fell on Chloe's hand resting on his leg.

"Julian, you're sleeping with your sister-in-law. Do you even think about your brother?"

"You're both fucking disgusting. Sleeping with your dead brother's wife—you're a piece of shit!"

Julian's face flushed red with anger.

"Shut your fucking mouth. Leave Chloe out of this!"

Chloe pulled her hand back, looking completely innocent.

Julian suddenly let out a mocking laugh as he looked at me.

"Oh right, you're so fucking moral. Where was all that decency when you were spreading your legs at eighteen?"

That unbearable memory was dragged back, and dizziness hit me.

In our third year together, Julian and I had decided to exchange secrets.

Julian brushed his hair against my face, his eyes so sincere.

"My biggest secret is that I'm terrified of losing you."

"I know there's a huge gap between us. Your family looks down on me. But I'd do anything for you."

He kissed the corner of my mouth, his long lashes sweeping across my face.

"Babe, what's your secret?"

I told him. When I was eighteen, someone followed me. He dragged me into the bushes and assaulted me.

I reported it to the police and he was arrested. But a month later, I had no choice but to go to the hospital for an abortion.

That incident became a shadow I could never shake off.

But then I met him. He brought me back to life.

Julian held me tight, tears streaming down his face.

"It's all in the past. From now on, I'll protect you."

He'd turned my darkest secret into a weapon.

Chloe looked me up and down with amusement.

"Wow, Lauren. You look so innocent. Had no idea you were into that kind of thing."

Julian laughed bitterly.

"Who knows how many guys you were fucking. Probably got knocked up by some random asshole and made up that whole 'assault' story."

"What a joke. I believed you all these years."

Every word drove deeper into my chest.

Looking at the certainty on Julian's face, I felt nothing but regret.

Love changes. It shifts. It disappears.

Some secrets should just rot in your gut.

Julian's phone rang. It was connected to the car's Bluetooth.

"Honey, are you on your way back? Dinner's ready and we're waiting for you."

It was his mother.

Hunter shouted at the phone.

"Grandma, Uncle Julian bought me a drone today, but Aunt Lauren almost broke it!"

Martha's voice was dripping with false sympathy as she cooed at him.

"Bad Auntie. Grandma will deal with her when you get home!"

"Hunter, sweetie, Grandma made peanut butter cookies for you. Hurry back and eat them."

Mia was allergic to peanuts.

But every single year, Martha made peanut butter cookies because Hunter loved them.

Every year, Mia could only sit there and watch them eat.

This year, she'd just wanted to try a box of strawberry cookies, and her own father called her selfish.

Chloe's voice turned sickeningly sweet.

"Martha, you're so thoughtful. You always remember what Hunter likes."

As she spoke, she glanced up at me.

The necklace around her neck glinted in the light.

That necklace was identical to the one I'd lost. Julian had it custom-made for me. I couldn't be mistaken.

Mia asked timidly.

"Grandma, are there any other kinds? I want some too."

Martha's voice turned sharp.

"No. You're so picky. What peanut allergy? I think you're just spoiled!"

Julian piled on immediately.

"That's what happens when her mother coddles her!"

The road was getting emptier. Everyone else was home having dinner with their families.

But I didn't want to go back to that house anymore.