Chapter 3

The next morning, the smell of something burning woke me up.

I walked into the kitchen to find Liam fumbling with a fancy, new waffle maker. He'd burnt the first batch.

He carefully placed a single, perfectly heart-shaped waffle into a high-end insulated lunch box. He didn't make one for me.

He turned and handed me a tall glass of orange juice.

"You need to build up a tolerance," he said dismissively when I didn't take it. "It's good for the baby."

I have a severe citrus allergy. Anaphylactic shock level severe. He knew this. He'd seen me rushed to the ER twice because of it.

I ignored the juice and pushed the UPS package across the counter toward him. The one with the pregnancy test inside.

"Give my congratulations to Chloe," I said.

Panic flashed in his eyes, but he recovered quickly. "What? No, that's for her sister. She's been trying to get pregnant. Don't overthink things, Ava."

He grabbed his keys. "I have to run. An employee emergency came up. I'll buy you breakfast later, I promise."

He texted me an hour later saying he was stuck at the office.

I had a follow-up appointment at the hospital. While waiting in the lobby, I overheard two nurses gossiping.

"Did you see that hot architect from Ascend Designs? He rushed in carrying his intern. Said she felt faint from low blood sugar. He was so worried about her."

Later, I was at the hospital pharmacy picking up my prescription. I was wearing a hat and sunglasses, my face still bruised.

Liam rushed past, nearly knocking me over. He was holding Chloe's arm, guiding her gently.

"Watch where you're going!" he snapped at me, not recognizing who I was.

Chloe looked pale and leaned against him dramatically.

I took off my sunglasses. "Liam."

His face went white. He stammered, "Ava! What are you doing here? Chloe... she had a fainting spell. It's a workplace liability issue. I have to make sure she's okay."

I just looked at him. At the lie. At the woman he was holding.

I turned and walked away without another word.

Back at the apartment, I packed everything else that was mine. In the back of the closet were several designer outfits he'd "bought for me." They were all identical to dresses and suits I'd seen Chloe wearing in her Instagram posts.

They were never for me. I was just the model he used to see if they'd fit her. Afterthoughts.

I zipped up the last bag and left the key on the clean counter.

I checked into a hotel across town.