Chapter 2

I absent-mindedly swirled the spoon, my thoughts cold and detached. "It's here, as I anticipated."

"You know, Winona's been fond of me for ages, and she struggles with depression. I was wondering, could we have a pretend wedding with her before our real one? It would fulfill her dream, and she'd leave us alone afterward."

My hand, stirring the porridge, suddenly stilled.

I looked at him wordlessly.

Cole appeared uncomfortable, his face showing unease. "Stella, we owe her this much. Her depression is because of me. You love me most, so you'll understand, right?"

Those familiar words brought back countless memories.

Since I'd fallen completely for his carefully crafted love, he'd constantly tested my compliance under the guise of affection.

If Winona's depression flared after seeing us together, he'd ask me to purchase expensive bags for her.

When Winona cried, he'd blame himself, implying I should send her money or buy her jewelry as consolation.

Now, this wedding proposal.

Previously, Winona had indeed used her depression to threaten him, saying she'd end her life if he didn't marry her first.

He thought I'd give in, as I had many times before. But he underestimated how much this wedding meant to me.

For the first and only time, I stood my ground, firmly defending my rights, even if it meant a heated argument.

I told him we'd break up if he insisted on making Winona the bride.

In the end, he chose wealth and status over Winona. Shockingly, Winona actually took her own life.

Now, facing the same situation again, I looked at the uneasy Cole before me and didn't argue or make a fuss.

Instead, I smiled and said, "Okay."

Cole was taken aback, his mouth slightly agape, as if he had prepared arguments he hadn't yet voiced.

"Stella, you're not upset?"

"No. After all, I'm the one you love most, right? You only disappointed her because of me."

With that, I walked to the bedroom.

Behind me, Cole pondered my words, sensing something off but unable to identify what.

As I was drifting off...

The bed dipped slightly, followed by Cole's warm breath and restless hands.

"Stella, don't worry. Since you've made such a big concession for me, I promise I'll never let you down. The doctor said the baby is four months along. How about we…"

My drowsy mind instantly cleared.

I avoided his hand as it slipped into my nightgown, feeling nauseated.

I hurried to the bathroom and started vomiting.

He followed, gently rubbing my back, but it only made me retch more.

Soon, my mouth was filled with bitter bile, its taste and smell unpleasant.

Cole subtly moved away from me.

I pretended not to notice, dragging myself back to the bedroom.

Cole followed, holding a glass of milk and a small pill.

I glanced at them and shook my head. "I don't want to take it."

He gave me a loving smile. "Don't be difficult. It's for our baby's sake."

Eventually, I swallowed the pill.

After he left and closed the door, I spit it out.

I had once been so love-blind that I never questioned anything. Only now did I realize I wasn't taking prenatal medicine because I felt unwell. It was because every time his phone buzzed, he'd make me take that pill, and each time I did, I'd feel very drowsy.