Chapter 3

Stella stepped into the fitting room to change.

I went in to help her tie the back and she suddenly lowered her voice.

"Could you let the waist out a little?"

I looked at her in the mirror.

"It fits you perfectly. Letting it out would change the whole silhouette."

Stella hesitated. Then she leaned in close.

"I'm pregnant. Dominic doesn't know yet. I want to surprise him at the wedding." She met my eyes in the mirror.

"By then I'll be showing. If we don't adjust it now, it'll be too late. Please don't say anything."

I stood there for a long moment, not moving.

She was pregnant. Dominic had gotten another woman pregnant.

Stella stroked her stomach with a quiet, happy smile.

That smile hurt to look at.

I mumbled something and slipped out of the fitting room.

I leaned against the door.

Two years ago, I was pregnant too.

Dominic said it was bad timing. Vance Group was restructuring. He said a baby right now would complicate everything.

So I ended it. Because he asked me to.

And now Stella was carrying his child.

I caught myself thinking something ugly: maybe when he finds out, he won't be so happy about it either.

Then Stella's phone lit up on the vanity table.

Dominic's name on the screen.

"Can you grab that?" Stella called from inside. "I can't move in this thing."

I hesitated. And then something dark rose up in me.

What would he do if he heard my voice?

I picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

I'd been crying earlier. My voice came out low and rough. Dominic didn't recognize me at all.

"Who's this?"

I almost laughed. Fine. I'd play it out.

"I'm one of the bridal boutique staff. Ms. Stella stepped into the fitting room. Is there anything I need to tell her?"

He didn't suspect a thing.

"Nothing, just letting her know I'm sending afternoon tea over. Make sure she eats something. I don't want her feeling faint."

His voice was so careful and attentive.

"Is Ms. Stella not feeling well? Is there anything we should watch out for?"

A brief pause.

"She's pregnant. She thinks I don't know. I don't want to spoil her surprise. Just keep an eye on her. That's all."

I hung up. I sank down slowly until I was crouching on the floor, both hands over my face.

Tears slipped through my fingers.

So he did want children. Just not mine.

Valerie. All those years. And you never saw it.

Stella came out of the fitting room. She was breathtaking.

My dress was made to my measurements. And it fit her like it was always meant for her.

Just like the man I had chosen. We had the same taste.

The staff crowded around her, gushing.

Stella loved every second of it. She lifted the hem, did a slow spin, then snapped a photo and sent it to Dominic.

Baby, look at this dress. Good eye, right?

His reply came back almost instantly.

Beautiful. Wear it home for me.

The staff smiled. "Oh my god, Mrs. Vance—you two are so cute. I can't stand it!"

Stella went a little pink and didn't reply.