Chapter 2

I dragged myself back to the marital home on legs that could barely hold me, and the second I got the key into the lock and pushed the door open, I heard bright laughter drifting from the living room.

Two pairs of strange shoes sat in the entryway—a pair of white women's heels, a pair of little pink patent shoes for a child—lined up right beside my own slippers.

In the living room, Sibyl Swanson was curled up on the sofa in my silk robe, picking spoonfuls of gourmet bone broth from a bowl and bringing them to her mouth.

On the rug, a little girl with her hair in pigtails was tossing around the limited-edition doll I'd brought back from overseas last month.

That doll had been meant for my own child.

Sibyl saw me and hurriedly set the bowl down, all timid and small as she said, "Eleanor, you're back?"

"I'm so sorry. I really didn't want to come, but Clive was worried about my daughter, so he brought us over to stay a few days."

"Please don't be upset. I'll pack up and go right now—"

She turned as if to fetch the suitcase, then her step wobbled, like she couldn't quite stay on her feet.

The kitchen door opened at that exact moment. Clive came out carrying a bowl of warm sugar water, and the instant he saw her he strode over and caught her, his brows knotting tight before he swung his glare at me. "Eleanor, do you have to stand there with that sour face?"

"It isn't easy for Sibyl, raising a child on her own. So what if she stays a few days? Do you really have to make her feel unwelcome?"

Sibyl leaned into his arms, eyes rimmed red, and said in a small voice, "Clive, don't blame Eleanor. It's my fault. I shouldn't have come and gotten in the way of you two…"

"This has nothing to do with you."

Clive patted her back, his voice going soft. "She's the one being childish!"

I stood in the entryway watching the two of them play off each other like a devoted married couple, while I was the one who looked like a stranger who'd wandered into someone else's home.

Just then the little girl ran over, threw her arms around Clive's leg, tipped her small face up, and chirped, "Daddy!"

My whole body went rigid.

My head snapped toward Clive, my voice tight. "What did she just call you?"

Something uneasy flickered across his face, then he squared up, righteous as ever. "She's little, she's never had a father, she's close to me, so she just says it. You're a grown woman. Why are you squabbling with a child?"

"Just says it?"

The whole thing was absurd. "Clive, we're getting married next month. You let another woman's child call you Daddy, and you never once thought about how I'd feel?"

His face darkened, his tone thick with impatience. "Can't you be a little more generous?"

"Do you have any idea how hard it is for Sibyl to raise a child alone?"

"Amelia McDaniel's been starved of a father her whole life. So what if I look out for her a little more?"

While he was still talking, Amelia tugged at Clive's hand and pointed toward the second bedroom. "Daddy, I want to go play in the princess room!"

My heart lurched. I crossed the room fast and pushed open the door to the nursery.

The sight inside cut straight into my eyes.

The crib I'd had custom-made was shoved into a corner, buried under toys.

The little clothes and tiny socks I'd prepared for my baby were thrown on the floor, trampled and filthy.

The whole room was full of Amelia's dolls, her dresses, her picture books. Not a trace of the way I'd first set it up remained.

Blood rushed to my head all at once. I turned, my voice shaking. "Who let her move into this room?"

Clive came over, frowning. "Amelia likes this room, says it's like a princess room. Our baby isn't even born yet, so what's the harm in letting her stay a few days?"

"Eleanor, when did you get so selfish?"

"It's just one room. Is that really worth this kind of tantrum?"

A furious laugh escaped me. "This is the room I prepared for my child. What gives you the right to move someone else into it?"

He flared up too, his voice rising. "Amelia needs somewhere stable right now!"

"Eleanor, you never used to be like this. You used to be the gentlest, most sensible woman. How did you turn into someone this aggressive?"

Beside him, Sibyl started to cry, sniffling. "It's my fault, it's all my fault. I never should have come."

"Eleanor, please don't be upset. I'll take Amelia and go right now. We won't bother you two anymore…"

"You're not going anywhere!"

Clive grabbed her at once and turned to scold me. "Look at you. Look what you've driven her to!"

"Sibyl and Amelia are staying in this house today, and that's final."

"If you can't stand it, then go to your room and cool off!"

I watched him shield that mother and daughter, and my heart went cold all the way through.

I didn't argue with him anymore. I turned, walked into the bedroom, and shut the door.

My hand went to my belly, and my eyes filled.

Baby, I'm sorry.

Mommy was blind. Mommy chose the wrong man.