Chapter 2

The plan was simple, they said. Disgustingly simple.

Chloe had to get pregnant within a month.

That way, they could pass the baby off as her late husband's. A miracle conception, perhaps, from a sample saved before his death. A lie, crafted by Susan.

So, my mother announced she wasn't feeling well.

She insisted Ethan and I stay at her place – our Long Island home, now effectively her command center – for a month.

For that entire month, Ethan slept in Chloe's bedroom.

Working on their "project."

And me? His wife?

I was confined to the room next to Susan's.

Every move I made, a security guard watched.

They worried I'd cause trouble. Sabotage their precious plan.

Susan even took my books, my drawing pads. Anything that could connect me to the outside world or offer escape.

I was a criminal, under house arrest.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Chloe announced she was pregnant.

Susan was ecstatic. She wanted a celebration.

That night, Ethan came back to my small, temporary room.

He swaggered in, a conquering hero. Full of himself.

He reached for me, pulling me close. "Honey, you've been through a lot. Let me make it up to you."

His breath reeked of alcohol. Celebration wine, no doubt.

The smell, his triumphant air, it made me sick.

I twisted away, feigning to fix my hair. I kept my distance.

My voice was even, devoid of emotion. "How do you plan to do that?"

Ethan smirked, his hand reaching for my face. "Isn't it obvious? Of course, by..."

His other hand moved to my clothes.

I was trying to think of a way to refuse, to push him away without a scene.

Then, Susan's voice, sharp and loud, came from the hallway, along with Maria's, my loyal assistant who'd recently returned from visiting family.

"Where's Mr. Ethan?" Susan asked.

"He's with Ms. Sarah, ma'am. They just went to bed," Maria replied.

Susan's voice rose higher. "Sarah! Your sister suddenly feels unwell! She wants Ethan to check on her!"

Maria sounded flustered. "Ma'am, if Miss Chloe is unwell, shouldn't we call 911? Ms. Sarah and Mr. Ethan just..."

"What 911?" Susan snapped. "Chloe's just scared, being newly pregnant. It's affecting her. Sarah, please, I'm begging you. Let Ethan go see your sister. She's just conceived, what if something happens..."

Before Susan even finished, Ethan was already scrambling out of bed, pulling on his pants.

"She was fine after dinner, wasn't she? What's wrong now? Was it something she ate? I need to go check on Chloe..." he muttered, already halfway out the door.

I couldn't stop myself. My voice was louder than I intended. "Ethan!"

He turned, his expression a mix of apology and something else. Annoyance? "Sarah, Chloe just got pregnant. It's a critical time. I'll just go check, okay? You've always been so kind and understanding. You won't be angry, right?"

I had to be not angry. Otherwise, I wasn't kind. Not understanding.

"Of course not," I said, forcing a smile. My voice was soft. "She's my sister, after all. And you're my husband. Taking care of her is... natural. Don't rush back. Spend time with her."

Ethan's face relaxed into a satisfied smile. "Sarah, you're the best. So considerate."

He turned and hurried into Chloe's room.

Watching them disappear down the hall, even Maria, standing awkwardly by, couldn't hide her disgust.

"This is too much..." she whispered. "Anyone would think Miss Chloe is Mr. Ethan's wife!"

She looked at me, her eyes full of concern. "Miss Sarah, you can't let this go on. You have to hold onto your position as Mrs. Davies!"

I smiled faintly, my voice barely a whisper. "Something someone else has touched... I find it dirty, Maria. The title Mrs. Davies? Why would I care about that anymore?"

That night, Ethan didn't come back.

Of course, he didn't. Chloe's baby was his, after all.

I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. When morning came, I had made my decision.

Divorce.

Since Dad died, Susan's favoritism for Chloe was blatant. I had no one to rely on.

That's why they dared to bully me so openly.

If I wanted a divorce, I had to do it myself.

The next morning, I used taking Emily to her new preschool as an excuse to leave the house with Maria.

Maria was hired by my father to look after me since I was a child. She'd just returned from a month-long family visit.

When she found out what had been happening, she was furious and heartbroken for me. But she was careful not to show it too much, afraid Susan would fire her, leaving me completely alone.

Susan trusted Maria with me. So I felt safe with her.

I drove, with Maria and Emily, straight to the best law firm in the city.

When I returned home, my bag was filled with legal documents.

"Honey, what are you looking at?"

I was hidden in a corner of the backyard, reviewing the papers, when Ethan's voice startled me.

I quickly tucked the documents beside me. My tone was flat. "Don't you have an urgent meeting today? Why are you home so early?"

"It was resolved!" Ethan beamed. "You won't believe it. A major project was about to fall through. Then Chloe's cousin introduced a new client, and they took over the whole thing! That project alone will bring in over ten million in initial profit. If we manage it well, Ethan's Interiors will hit its annual target six months early!"

He was practically bouncing with excitement. "Sarah, isn't this amazing news? I had to rush home and share it with you!"

No wonder he was so thrilled.

Securing such a big deal would solidify his position at Ethan's Interiors. It would shut up the board members who had been questioning his leadership.

"That's wonderful, Ethan," I said, managing a small smile.

Disgust churned in my stomach.