Chapter 2

"Willa's pregnant?"

I flip the folder open. A baby scan is tucked inside.

The assistant's face drains. He lunges for it. "Mrs. Vance, that's Miss Grant's private information."

"Then why is it in my husband's suitcase?"

"Mr. Vance just went with her to the appointment."

The phone's still on speaker.

Alaric cuts in, cold. "Willa hasn't been feeling well. I took her to get checked. She's not married. She doesn't want people knowing. Don't spread it around."

I look at the date on the scan.

It's the day of my first checkup.

The day he promised to come with me.

We got to the hospital. He said Willa's car broke down. Told me to go in alone.

I sat in that waiting room four hours. When I came out with my results, his phone was off.

Same hospital. Same day. He was walking another woman through every scan on the other side of the wall.

I ask it flat. "Whose baby is it?"

"None of your business."

"You're my husband."

His patience snaps. "That's exactly why I'm telling you to drop it."

"Iris. You already have a baby. You don't need to come after a girl with no one in the world."

"I asked whose baby it is."

Willa gasps like she just woke up. "Iris, please don't get the wrong idea. Ric and I aren't like that. I didn't want my family finding out. He was just keeping it quiet for me."

"Then where's the father?"

Silence. Then she starts crying.

Alaric drops his voice, soothing. "It's okay. You don't have to say."

He takes the phone back. All the warmth is gone.

"Are you done? She just found out she's pregnant. She can't handle stress."

I look at the diagnosis on my bedside table.

We're both pregnant.

Willa frowns and he panics.

I bleed and he sends over her laundry.

"Alaric. I can't handle stress either."

"You're fine, aren't you?"

It slips out. Both ends of the line go quiet.

I don't say another word. For the first time, I'm the one who hangs up.

He doesn't come back until the next afternoon.

He doesn't come to me first. He takes Willa home. Puts her to bed.

Seven in the evening, the door swings open. He's holding a takeout bag.

"Willa said your appetite's been bad. She wanted me to bring you something."

I glance at the label.

Seafood risotto. Willa's favorite.

I'm allergic to shrimp.

"Just leave it."

He sits by the bed. His eyes flick over my face.

"What did the doctor say?"

"Bed rest. To keep the baby."

"Family dinner is tomorrow night. We were going to announce your pregnancy. Since you can't make it, Willa will sit in for you."

I stare at him. "She's going as Mrs. Vance?"

He tucks the blanket around me. His voice is almost soft.

"Just the seat. Focus on getting better. Don't make it a thing."

Next second, he pulls a document out of his briefcase.

"Sign this. We're announcing Project Skyline tomorrow. You can't be there. We'll list Willa as lead designer for now. After the launch, we switch it back."

I grip the paper.

Project Skyline is my mother's last work. Two years of my life to finish it.

"Why can't you just announce my name?"

"You're not showing up. That spooks the investors. Willa looks the part and she'll be on time. She's a better fit."

"It's my design."

"I know."

He puts the pen in my hand. His thumb presses down on the back of mine.

"We're just borrowing her name. Don't be difficult."

I pull my hand back. "I'm not signing."

His face goes blank.

"Iris. The company isn't your playhouse."

"You already blew up the flight schedule. Willa's willing to clean up your mess. What more do you want?"

He smooths the paper flat again. "Signed by nine. My assistant will pick it up."

I watch his back.

"And if I don't?"

He stops in the doorway.

"Every file on Project Skyline is at Vance Group. You don't sign, I still get to decide who announces it."

He knows exactly what this project cost me.

My hand closes into a fist. And I finally say it.

"I want a divorce."

His step falters.

He turns. His eyes are mocking.

"Iris. Jealousy has a limit. Don't take this somewhere you can't come back from."

He says it like he's said it a hundred times before. Like he knows I can't leave him.

But this time.

I'm just tired.