Chapter 2

On our wedding anniversary, I left work early to cook a nice dinner myself.

When Marcus came home, I was plating the food. He walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. His warm breath tickled my ear. "Thanks for cooking, honey."

I tilted my head, leaning in to kiss him.

"Ah—"

A sharp sob suddenly cut us off.

Chloe stood at the kitchen entrance, her face pale. She clutched the fabric over her chest, tears streaming down her face. "I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to interrupt..."

Marcus immediately let go of me, rushing over to support her. "What’s wrong?"

She shook her head, her eyes bloodshot, looking utterly traumatized. "Seeing you two so close just... reminded me of my ex..."

Before she could finish, she choked on her tears and went completely limp in Marcus's arms.

Marcus rubbed her back with concern, whispering sweet comforts. Then he turned to frown at me. "Elena, you know what she went through. Can you be a little more considerate?"

I stood frozen, my hands turning cold. This was absolutely ridiculous.

Leo appeared in the dining room out of nowhere, sticking his tongue out at me. "Gross! Mommy and Daddy are kissing! So disgusting!"

I snapped my head toward him. "Leo! Who taught you to talk like that?"

Startled by my sharp tone, his lower lip quivered, and he burst into tears, throwing himself into Chloe's arms. "Chloe! Mommy is being mean to me!"

Chloe immediately knelt down to hug him. She looked up at me with accusing eyes. "Elena, he's just a child. How can you yell at him like that?"

Marcus frowned too. "Elena, is this because Leo isn't biologically yours..." He glanced at Leo, stopping himself. "Whatever. Just watch your attitude. Don't be so harsh on him."

I stared at the three of them. Marcus had his arm around Chloe, Chloe was holding my son, and Leo was clutching her collar like she was his only savior.

At that moment, I felt like the only stranger in this house.

During dinner, I tried to smooth things over by putting some of Leo's favorite shrimp on his plate.

But he pushed his plate away in disgust. "I don't want your food! I want Chloe to feed me!"

Chloe offered a sweet smile, picking up her fork to feed him. "Good boy, let me feed you."

Leo ate happily, giving me a smug, triumphant look.

I put down my fork and said calmly, "Leo, eat by yourself. You're five years old."

"No!" he screamed, kicking the table. "I want Chloe to feed me! Go away!"

Marcus frowned. "Elena, can you stop ruining the mood? Chloe is just trying to help. Why are you making a big deal out of it?"

Chloe chimed in, her voice soft and fragile. "Elena, I’m just happy Leo likes me. If you think I'm overstepping... I won't do it again."

Her eyes welled up with tears again, as if she were the victim of some great injustice.

Marcus immediately grabbed her hand protectively. "Don't listen to her. Leo loves you. Spend as much time with him as you want."

Leo took the opportunity to jump into Marcus's arms. He looked up with innocent eyes and asked, "Dad, can we get a new mommy? I want Chloe to be my mommy!"

Chloe feigned panic. "Leo, don't say that..."

But the corner of her mouth twitched into a subtle smirk.

Marcus didn't even correct him. He just ruffled Leo's hair and chuckled, "You little rascal."

I slowly put down my bowl, watching the three of them look like a happy family. My heart was a mess of bitterness.

"Sure," I said softly. "Since Leo likes Chloe so much, why don't you..."

I paused, my gaze sweeping over Chloe. "Why don't you all go to the amusement park tomorrow? It's been a while since Leo went."

Marcus looked at me in surprise, clearly not expecting me to be so generous. "Don't you have work tomorrow? You're not coming?"

I forced a smile. "I'll pass. You guys have fun."

After all, I needed to free up some time to look into a few things...

After dinner, Leo threw a tantrum, demanding that Marcus and Chloe sleep with him.

Marcus brushed it off. "It's no big deal. We're just tucking him in. Nothing is going to happen." He walked over, reaching out to drape his arm over my shoulder. "Elena, don't you trust me?"

I stepped aside to avoid his touch. My eyes fell on the cracked guest room door—Chloe was leaning against the frame in a silk slip nightgown, a faint smirk playing on her lips.

"It's not about trust," I said, my voice cold. "He's five. He needs to learn to sleep alone."

"Elena," Chloe chimed in, "I didn't finish the bedtime story I was telling him last time."

She looked down and rubbed her eyes, playing the victim. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have promised him. I didn't mean to make you upset..."

Leo immediately rushed over to cling to her leg. "I want Chloe! I don't want Mommy!"

Marcus sighed, his tone filled with blame. "Look, you made him cry. It's just for one night. Why do you have to be so difficult?"

In the end, I backed down.

Standing at the door of the master bedroom, I listened to the laughter echoing from the nursery.

"I'll send the samples tomorrow. Please get me the results as soon as possible." After sending the text, I lay in bed, wide awake all night.