Chapter 2

I took a deep breath, the air feeling thin and sharp in my lungs. I sat on the edge of my bed and opened the letter.

Axel's familiar, elegant script filled the page. He wrote about how much he missed me, how he counted the seconds until he could be home to hold me and our child. He said he was working hard to build a safe world for our family.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. It sounded like a sob. Tears dripped onto the expensive stationery, blurring the ink. He was a masterful liar. The best I'd ever known.

I wiped my eyes and a cold resolve settled over me. There were no more tears to cry. There was only action.

The next morning, I called the hospital. Not the private doctor Axel had arranged, but the public hospital downtown. I made an appointment for an abortion.

The child inside me deserved to be wanted. It deserved a father who loved it, grandparents who cherished it. It deserved more than a life as a pawn in a cruel game, destined to be discarded.

Then, I called my old dance academy.

"I'd like to activate my deferred acceptance to the international choreography program," I told the director, my voice steady. "The one in Paris."

There was a pause on the other end. "Calista? Is that you? We thought... well, after your injury..."

"I'm better now," I said, the lie tasting like ash. "I want to go."

"It's a five-year residency, Calista," the director said gently. "It's a full company commitment. I held the spot for you as long as I could, but the final confirmations are this week. If you take it, you'd have to leave by Friday. It's a permanent move."

"I understand," I said.

"Are you sure about this? You sound... different."

"I'm sure," I repeated, my voice hard. There was nothing left for me here.

The director sighed. "Alright. I'll email you the final paperwork. It just needs your signature. Get it back to me by tomorrow."

I hung up and checked my email. The acceptance letter and consent forms were already there. I signed them without a moment's hesitation.

That evening, I returned home to the sound of laughter. It drifted from the living room, a warm, happy sound that made my skin crawl.

I peeked around the corner.

Axel was home. He was sitting on the floor, carefully holding Adeline's baby. His face, usually a mask of political calculation, was soft with adoration. He was so tense, so focused, as if he were holding the most precious thing in the world.

Adeline sat on the sofa, being fed a piece of fruit by my mother, Barbara.

"This is too sour, Mom," Adeline whined, pushing the fork away like a petulant child.

My father, the powerful Senator Clarke, knelt beside her. "Come on, Addy-cat, just one more bite. It's good for you." He cooed at her, his voice dripping with affection.

I stood in the doorway, my body feeling like it was made of lead. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe.

Axel finally noticed me. His face shifted instantly from doting father to concerned husband. He carefully handed the baby to a nearby nanny and rushed to my side.

"Calista, you're home," he said, wrapping his arms around me. "Are you tired? You look pale."

I didn't answer. I just stared past him at Adeline.

My presence had shattered the cozy atmosphere. My parents looked awkward. Adeline clutched a pillow to her chest, trying to look small and harmless.

"Calista, darling," my father began, his voice smooth and placating. "Adeline has had a difficult time. She has nowhere else to go. We thought... it would be best if she and the baby stayed here for a while."

"The baby is innocent in all this," my mother added, her eyes pleading. "He needs a family."

Adeline looked at me, holding her baby close. "Calista, please," she whispered, the picture of a desperate, victimized mother. "I know I don't deserve it, but please let us stay. For the baby's sake."

I turned my dead eyes to my husband. "What do you think, Axel?"

His gaze flickered to Adeline and the child, a flash of raw emotion crossing his face before he masked it.

"Whatever you decide, Calista," he said, his voice a perfect imitation of support. "I'm with you."

A dark, bitter humor rose in my throat. "Fine," I said, the word barely a whisper. "She can stay."

My parents visibly relaxed. My father immediately started giving orders to the staff, arranging for Adeline and the baby to have the best room.

"And get the chef to prepare her postpartum meals," he instructed. "The special ones we ordered."

Axel brought me a cup of tea, his hand resting on my back in that familiar, comforting gesture that now felt like a brand. I didn't flinch.

For the rest of the evening, boxes arrived. A constant stream of deliveries. Baby swings, designer clothes, expensive toys.

I happened to glance at one of the packing slips. The buyer's name was Axel Neal.

He saw me looking and quickly snatched the paper away. "It's getting noisy out here. Let's get you to bed. You need your rest." He guided me back to our room.

I didn't argue. I was too tired to fight.

He tucked me in, his touch gentle and careful, a perfect lie.

"I need to check on the kitchen staff," he said, his excuse flimsy. "Make sure they have everything they need for... Adeline."

I watched him go. I saw the relief in his eyes as he left the room. I knew exactly where he was going.

He didn't go to the kitchen. He went straight to Adeline's new room.

I knew then that there was no point in holding on, no point in trying to force him to stay. His heart, his loyalty, his future-it was all in that room with her.

I waited until the house was quiet. Then I got out of bed and pulled out my suitcases.

I started packing, methodically clearing away every trace of my life with him. Photos, gifts, clothes. With each item I put away, I felt a little lighter.

Suddenly, my bedroom door burst open.

Axel and Adeline stood there. Adeline was hiding behind him, peering at me with wide, innocent eyes.

Axel's gaze fell on my packed suitcases. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice tight.

I didn't look at him. I just kept folding a sweater. "What is it?"

He hesitated. "My parents... they feel your room has better sunlight. It's better for the baby's health. They think Adeline should move in here."

Before I could respond, my mother, Barbara, bustled in, holding the baby. She didn't even look at me.

"Calista, be a good girl and move to the guest room down the hall. Adeline needs this room."

Adeline peeked out from behind Axel, her expression a perfect blend of fear and apology. Axel instinctively shifted, putting his body between me and her, as if I were the threat.

I looked at their faces, a united front against me.

And I smiled. A calm, empty smile.

"Of course," I said. "Anything for the baby."