Chapter 2

"Oh, by the way, Valerie! I brought you a Christmas present!"

Chloe rose gracefully, walking over to her open suitcase to rummage through it.

I stared at her luggage in shock, then turned to Christian, demanding an explanation with my eyes.

He shrugged carelessly.

"Chloe’s back for good. She hasn't found an apartment yet, and I wasn't going to let a young woman stay alone in some shady hotel. She's staying with us for a while."

He said it so casually, as if it were the most trivial thing in the world.

I stared at him in disbelief.

"Did you ever think to discuss this with me?"

His lips pressed into a hard line, his jaw tensing.

"I didn't have time yet. Besides, it's just a temporary stay. It's not a big deal. Why do you always have to blow everything out of proportion?"

Chloe held up a piece of clothing, looking at me with wide, innocent eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Valerie. I had no idea Christian didn't tell you. Please, blame me if you must. Don't fight because of me. I'll go pack my bags right now and check into a hotel. I don't want to be a burden."

Biting her lip, she extended the garment toward me.

"This is your Christmas present. Please take it as my apology for being thoughtless."

With that, she grabbed her suitcase handle and turned toward the door.

Christian exploded. In a single stride, he reached her side, snatching the suitcase handle while glaring at me with dark fury.

"Chloe, stop it! I already told you, you're staying right here. You don't have to go anywhere! Don't pay attention to her—she's just being irrational."

His voice dripped with resentment as he shot me a venomous look.

"Chloe went out of her way to bring you a designer gift from abroad. Instead of showing an ounce of gratitude, you try to kick her out into the cold!"

Heartache clamped around my chest like a vise, and a dull, pulling ache radiated through my lower abdomen. Taking a deep breath, I shook out Chloe’s gift.

An extra-small, bodycon silk mini-dress tumbled open. The waistline was narrower than the circumference of my swollen thighs. It was utterly absurd for a woman seven months pregnant.

This wasn't a gift. It was a blatant taunt—mocking my heavy, swollen body and parading her own slender figure.

I let out a cold laugh and threw the dress down at their feet.

"Chloe, this is the 'thoughtful' gift you picked out for me? Thanks, but no thanks."

Christian froze for a second, his mouth opening, but no words came out.

I didn't bother wasting another breath on either of them. I turned around and walked straight into the bedroom.