Chapter 2

The revelation of their callous contract had ripped through the last vestiges of my trust, leaving behind a stark, brutal clarity. There was no going back to the naive Kira who believed in love and family. That woman was dead, buried under the weight of their betrayal. Now, only a cold, calculated strategist remained, and she was ready for war.

I nodded, a small, weary gesture, when Cannon suggested a quiet evening. "Yes, darling. Just... exhausted." My voice was flat, devoid of its usual warmth, but I knew he' d attribute it to pregnancy fatigue. It was a useful shield. I allowed a faint tremor in my hand as I reached for my water glass, watching his eyes for any flicker of suspicion. There was none. Only a satisfied smirk, quickly masked by a sympathetic pout. He truly believed he had me exactly where he wanted me.

He patted my hand, a gesture that once felt comforting, now felt like a brand. "Of course, my love. Just rest. We have a big week ahead. The fundraiser, the... baby shower planning." He paused, a flicker of something unsettling in his eyes, before his smile returned, bright and empty. "Everything will be perfect for our perfect family."

Perfect family, I thought, the words echoing with bitter irony. You have no idea how perfect it' s going to be, Cannon. This game of deception had just begun, and they were all about to learn that I was no longer a pawn. I was the player they never saw coming. Within the next few weeks, their carefully constructed world would crumble. I would ensure it.

The following morning, he insisted on accompanying me to my prenatal appointment. He played the doting husband, charming the receptionist, asking the ultrasound technician detailed questions, his arm a constant, reassuring weight around my waist. Every glance he cast my way was filled with a performative affection that made my stomach churn.

"And how' s our little champion doing today, Doctor?" he boomed, his voice echoing in the sterile room. He gripped my hand, his thumb rubbing rhythmic circles against my skin, a gesture meant for public consumption.

The doctor, a kind older woman, smiled warmly. "Everything looks excellent, Mr. Hartman. Kira' s doing wonderfully. And the baby is growing perfectly." She gestured to the monitor, a blurry image of the tiny life within me. Cannon leaned in, his face a mask of awe, undoubtedly calculating the political mileage of a healthy, photogenic infant.

Later, as we walked through the bustling waiting room, a flash of red caught my eye. Britni. She sat across the room, perched on the edge of a pristine white couch, her usually vibrant hair a shocking shade of scarlet, her phone clutched in one hand, probably streaming some insipid content. She wore an impossibly tight, garish dress that screamed for attention, a stark contrast to the subdued decor of the clinic. A cheap, imitation luxury handbag sat beside her.

Her eyes, framed by exaggerated eyeliner, met mine. A slow, knowing smile spread across her face, a predatory glint in her gaze. She looked like she had just won the lottery, or, more accurately, like she was about to collect her prize.

Cannon, oblivious, was still chatting with the nurse. Britni' s smile widened as she stood, sauntering towards us. Her eyes flickered to my belly, then to Cannon, a silent, possessive claim.

"Kira, darling! What a surprise!" Her voice was syrupy sweet, dripping with fake concern. She enveloped me in a hug that was more a triumphant squeeze, her eyes darting to Cannon over my shoulder. "You look... glowing! Pregnancy really agrees with you."

I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. Her words were a veiled taunt. Her eyes, as she pulled away, were fixed on my stomach, then drifted to Cannon, a possessive gleam replacing the saccharine sweetness. She was measuring me, assessing her future property.

My gaze lingered on her for a moment longer. The gaudy dress, the overdone makeup, the slightly hollowed-out look around her eyes that even the thick foundation couldn' t completely conceal. A memory, sharp and unwelcome, pricked at my mind. Britni, years ago, in a hushed conversation with our parents, something about her "delicate condition," her "fragile health," her "inability to carry a pregnancy to term." It was one of the many reasons she had always been the favored, coddled child, excused from responsibilities, while I was groomed to be the dependable one, the fixer.

The pieces clicked into place with horrifying precision. Britni' s past, her medical history, her instability-it wasn't just about public image. It was about her inability to be a mother, to carry a child. They needed a surrogate, a healthy womb. And I, the dependable, healthy, naive older sister, was the perfect candidate. I was not just a vessel for the campaign; I was a living, breathing incubator for Britni. The ultimate betrayal. My own blood, my own sister, my own parents, had conspired to use me in the most dehumanizing way imaginable.

Cannon finally turned, his eyes lighting up when he saw Britni. "Britni! What are you doing here, sweetheart?" The endearment, so casually thrown, felt like another brick in the wall of my despair.

Britni giggled, a childish, affected sound. "Just a routine check-up, big brother-in-law! You know, keeping up with my health. Gotta stay in tip-top shape for all those... future responsibilities." She winked at him, a conspiratorial gesture that made my blood run cold. Cannon winked back, a familiar, easy camaraderie passing between them.

My mind raced, a whirlwind of anger and a chilling sense of purpose. This wasn't just about him anymore. This was about them. All of them. They had painted me into a corner, used my love, my trust, my very body. They thought I was broken, that I would simply stand by and watch my life be parceled out for their convenience.

"Kira, honey, you look faint again," Cannon said, his hand on my back, urging me forward. "Let' s get you home." He must have mistaken my sudden stillness for weakness.

I managed another weak smile, my eyes, I hoped, empty of the burning rage that consumed me. "Yes, Cannon. Home. I think I just need to lie down."

Britni' s voice, a false concern now tinged with triumph, followed us. "Poor Kira. Take care, sis. You know, it' s a big job, what you' re doing." Her words, meant to sound supportive, were a mockery.

I didn' t turn around. I didn' t trust myself to. My heart was a frozen block, but my mind was a blazing inferno. They would regret this. Every single one of them. The naïve, loving Kira was dead. What remained was a woman stripped bare, devoid of sentiment, armed with a chilling clarity.

"They think they have won, don' t they?" I thought, my voice silent inside my head, a whisper of steel. "They think they can play God with my life, with my body. But they have awoken something truly terrifying."

I leaned into Cannon' s guiding hand, a perfect picture of a fragile, pregnant wife. He squeezed my hand, a small, proprietorial gesture. "Don' t worry, darling. Just a few more months. Then everything will be perfect. You just focus on staying healthy for our baby."

Our baby, he emphasized, his smile confident. He had no idea how dramatically that word would be redefined. I was going to ensure that their "perfect family" would be ripped apart, piece by agonizing piece. They would rue the day they ever underestimated me.

"Cannon," I said, my voice soft, almost a plea, as we stepped out into the crisp autumn air. I looked up at him, my eyes wide, seemingly vulnerable. "Can I... can I go visit Sarah this weekend? Just for a night? A little break, you know, from all the campaign stress. I could really use some girl time."

He paused, his hand still on my back, his eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly. The mask of concern slipped for a fraction of a second, revealing the calculating politician beneath. He didn' t want me out of his sight, not now, not while I was his most valuable asset.