Chapter 3
Every subtle smile or fleeting frown, every playful pout or flash of anger–even the simple act of tucking a strand of hair behind her ear–Garrett captured them all on camera when it came to Tania.&
Since the day we got married, though, Garrett had never picked up his camera again.-
Once, I asked if he’d take a maternity photo for me. He told me his camera was lost, then quickly recommended a famous photographer instead.
Only later did I realize: the camera wasn’t lost. It was just that his lens only had room for the woman he truly loved.
My eyes were raw and dry, unable to shed another tear. In silence, I placed the photo album back on the shelf.
On my phone, I bought a plane ticket, then drafted up a divorce agreement.
If he loved Tania so much, the least I could do was set him free.
The next morning, my eyes were so puffy they looked like walnuts.
Garrett was worried sick. He made me breakfast himself–a nourishing meal–then boiled some eggs, peeling them with care and rolling them gently over my swollen eyelids to ease the puffiness.
He was so gentle, so attentive, that I almost wondered if last night had only been a terrible dream.
But the emptiness in my stomach reminded me that everything was all too real.
When I barely touched my food, he sighed.
“Renee, we lost our baby. I know you’re hurting–I’m devastated too. But you have to take care of yourself. You’ve had so many miscarriages over the years; your health isn’t what it used to be. Please, eat something. Don’t make me worry, okay?”
“Where is the baby’s body?” I asked quietly. “I want to see him.”
Three months. By then, my child would have been formed–small, but real. But now, he’d never have the chance to come into this world.
Garrett’s answer was the same as the last seven times.
“I’ve already arranged for a proper burial. You’re not in the right state right now, Renee. I was afraid seeing him would only make things worse.”
He paused, his voice softening. “My parents heard about the miscarriage too. They’re heartbroken. Let’s go to the family house for dinner tonight, see them for a bit.”
As soon as we walked into the old family home, I saw Tania clinging to my mother–in–law’s arm, acting coy and sweet.
The moment she spotted me, she arched her pregnant belly even higher, almost as if to flaunt it.”
“Renee! Long time no see–come sit down. I heard you lost another baby. Don’t overexert yourself.”
Ever since the wedding incident, things had soured between me, Sampson, and Tania. Whenever I visited the family home, I always made sure to come when they weren’t around.&
But today, fate clearly had other plans.
Looking at her six–month bump–and knowing that child was Garrett’s–made my heart clench.
He’d never let any child I carried live past the third month.
The moment my mother–in–law laid eyes on me, her face darkened.
Useless. Can’t even keep a child safe–how many times has this happened now? And you still have the nerve to complain about being tired? Why did my son ever marry someone like you?“?
She was Garrett’s birth mother, but Sampson’s step–grandmother–only fifty, still sharp and bitter.
She’d watched the company chairmanship, a position meant for her son, be snatched away by Sampson. How could she not be angry??
Garrett used to defend me, at least a little. But now, his eyes were fixed on Tania, full of longing and tenderness, oblivious to everything else.
“Grandmother, don’t be upset, Tania chimed in, feigning sympathy. “Renee just wasn’t meant to be a mother, that’s all. She’s lost so many babies–surely it’s not what she wants.”
My mother–in–law scoffed, “A jinx, the lot of them–dragging my son down.””
Tania kept up her act, pretending to plead on my behalf, even reaching out to guide me to a seat. But as she stood, she suddenly wobbled.
Though she quickly regained her balance, Garrett shoved past me without a second thought.
He gathered her into his arms, ignoring his parents‘ presence, concern etched across his face.
“Tania, are you alright? You shouldn’t be walking around alone, not while you’re pregnant. Where’s Sampson?”
Tania gave him a syrupy smile. “Sampson’s away on business in Noverra. He’s about to take over as chairman–he’s barely got a free moment.”
She glanced over at me, her eyes glinting with triumph, and in a saccharine voice said to Garrett:
