Chapter 3

Kyle didn't love me, but he truly cared about this baby.

Once he knew I was pregnant, he hired a private housekeeper and bought every top-of-the-line baby product on Amazon.

"Tell me the second you feel uncomfortable or need anything," he would say.

"Chloe, I can't wait to meet this baby."

"I'm going to learn how to be a great father."

I never had the heart to tell him: You'll never get the chance.

I let myself enjoy being pampered during those months. Kyle hadn't been this attentive in years. Ever since Gina returned, outside of our nights in bed, he had been cold and distant.

For a brief moment, it felt like we were back to how things were three years ago. Even though he still disappeared to see her every now and then, it was enough.

After all, I had no intention of raising this baby with him.

Nine months flew by, and labor arrived faster than expected.

What I didn't expect was that on the day I went into labor, he still abandoned me.

We were taking a walk in the park when my water broke. Sharp, agonizing contractions hit me, and Kyle rushed me straight to the hospital.

But right before the nurses wheeled me into the delivery room, his phone rang.

He took the call, then turned to me as I was crying out in pain. "Don't be scared, Chloe. I'll be waiting right outside."

Yet after fourteen hours of grueling labor, when they wheeled me out of the delivery suite, he wasn't there.

Exhausted, I held the newborn in my arms, and for the first time in years, I felt alive again.

He was a healthy baby boy. His eyes and brow were identical to Kyle's.

The doctor told me the baby was in perfect health, and the heavy stone on my chest finally lifted.

I had my baby. And I could finally put an end to this loveless marriage.

Eight hours after the delivery, Kyle rushed into the room, out of breath. Seeing me cradling our son, his eyes welled up with emotion.

"Chloe... thank you. You were so brave," he whispered, gently taking the baby into his arms. "He's so beautiful."

He held him for a long time before he realized I hadn't eaten a single bite since the delivery.

"I'm so sorry," he stammered, guilt written all over his face. "Right when they took you in, Gina's dad called me. He said she—"

"Save it," I cut him off.

I didn't care to hear it. What was the point of an excuse after the fact? If he knew it would hurt me, why did he leave in the first place?

He ordered gourmet postpartum meals to the room and went back to holding the baby. His usually sharp, stern face had softened into something tender and paternal.

Too bad he wouldn't be holding him for much longer. This child belonged to me alone.

A few days later, I checked into a luxury postpartum recovery retreat.

With round-the-clock professional care, I recovered quickly. Finally, I had the energy to confront him.

I handed him a crisp white folder.

"Sign this," I said, my voice completely flat.

He flipped through the pages several times, his brain struggling to process the header.

"Divorce papers?"

In his mind, he was the only one who had the right to call it quits. I was the pathetic woman who would cling to him until the day I died.

"Yes. Kyle, I want a divorce."

The nanny was out in the nursery soothing the baby. It was just the two of us in the suite.

"Are you insane?" he snapped. "You're bringing up divorce right now? The baby was just born! You want our son to grow up without a father?"

"Do you really think having you around makes any difference?"

"Listen, about the day you gave birth, Gina's dad—"

"This isn't about that. Not just about that, anyway."

"Then tell me what it's about! I can change, Chloe. Just tell me. I won't let our son grow up without a dad!"

There was no point in arguing. What could he possibly change?

I was sick of the back-and-forth.

"Just think of me as crazy. The truth is, the baby's father is already dead."

Kyle stared at me in shock. "What the hell does that mean? Are you saying this isn't my kid? That's impossible! He looks just like me—"

Before he could finish, I cut in coldly:

"Biologically, yes, you're the father. But emotionally and spiritually? You're a stranger."