Chapter 69
Chapter 1
The last patient of my shift was Julian Vance, my husband.
The ultrasound report he slid across my desk confirmed a three-week pregnancy. He was the father. His
mistress of five years was the mother p>
I slid the report back across the desk toward him. “Congratulations. This is what you wanted p>
He went still, then his expression hardened. “That’s it? You have nothing else to say to me p>
I stared at the proof of my husband’s child with another woman. Part of me expected to lose it like I always had. But I was too exhausted to fight anymore.
“I’ve gotten it out of my system. Once Tiffany has the baby, I’ll be ready to settle down for good p>
My eyes snapped up to meet his. “Julian, the contract is up p>
Julian had been looking incredibly smug, but my words made him look up. He frowned. “What contract? Is this some new game to pick a fight p>
He’d forgotten. My grip on the desk tightened until my knuckles went white. Even breathing hurt.
“I’m not starting anything. You’re right. I’m done trying to police you. Do whatever you want p>
Julian rubbed his temples. He threw his hands up and leaned back, visibly irritated.
“Everyone we know does this. Having a girl on the side is normal in our circle. Look at Arthur Sterling, Edgar Beaumont-do their wives throw a tantrum over it? Have I ever left you wanting for anything? If you were half as understanding as Tiffany, you wouldn’t be such a headache p>
I’d heard this speech a thousand times in the past five years.
Five years ago, everyone knew Julian was chasing me. I turned him down repeatedly. My mother was sick, and I couldn’t think about anything else.
When her condition became critical, he offered me a deal, marry him, and he’d pay five million to cover her treatment. His money got her access to an experimental drug that had just been cleared.
She died less than a year after the wedding anyway.
That was when Julian started sleeping with Tiffany Reed. I caught them together in our bed while we hadn’t even unpacked all our wedding gifts. There were handprints smeared across our wedding photo. The evidence was everywhere.
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I’d smashed everything I could get my hands on that day. He said I was hysterical and tiresome.
All my rage earned me was one sentence. “Know your place. Don’t forget who paid to keep your mother
alive p>
I drew a breath to respond.
The office door swung open. My son burst in, clutching Tiffany’s hand. “Daddy p>
His face fell when he saw me. “Oh. You’re here p>
I reached for him, but he pulled back before I could touch his hair. My hand hung there for a moment before I
let it drop.
“Julian, what about my results?” Tiffany’s hand drifted to her stomach.
Julian’s face softened immediately. “Everything looks perfect p>
I watched from where I stood. He’d never smiled at me like that, not once in our entire marriage. He’d chased
me relentlessly. He’d been the one who wanted this marriage.
“Dr. Vance! What a surprise.” She gave me a pointed look, then laced her fingers through Julian’s and squeezed. “It’s so comforting to know I’m in such good hands p>
My son whooped. “Are you having a baby with Daddy? Am I getting a little sister p>
Tiffany pinched my son’s cheek. “Maybe a brother p>
I couldn’t watch anymore and turned away,
Ever since Tiffany entered our lives, my son had grown distant. I’d asked him why once. His lip curled.
“Why can’t Dad have a girlfriend? Besides, Ms. Reed buys me anything I want. All you do is nag p>
I pulled myself back to the present.
Julian’s irritation had evaporated. He was in good spirits when he turned to me. “Don’t be late tonight p>
They left, the door clicking shut behind them.
I looked at the framed photo on my desk, my mother, smiling in black and white. My eyes burned with tears.
Maybe this marriage had been dead for five years, and I was only just realizing it.
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