Chapter 1

When I was seven months pregnant, I noticed Smith had a new female friend.

They talked about everything, sharing an incredible, unspoken understanding.

Every day, Smith would buy two bouquets of roses—one for me, and one for her.

But there was never anything overtly out of line.

Until that woman asked him, "If you had met me first, would you have married me?"

Smith didn't answer. Instead, he smoked on the balcony all night.

Smith was completely distracted today.

He looked like he was about to say something several times, but then he'd swallow the words.

Finally, I spoke up, "Is something wrong?"

Smith sighed, "I need to go on a business trip, to the next city over. I'll be back tomorrow. But I can't leave you alone! Forget it, I'll send someone else!"

As he spoke, I watched him, seeing how earnestly he tried to convince me.

He met my gaze directly, not flinching.

He asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

I shook my head. "Nothing."

I told him, "You should go."

"What about you, all alone?"

"I'll have my mom come stay with me."

Ever since I got pregnant, Smith had been incredibly attentive.

Especially as my belly grew, he was always worried about me being home alone. He canceled many social engagements just to be with me.

"What if something happens and no one's around?

"I'll be worried sick if I'm out anyway, so it's better if I just don't go."

Even if he absolutely had to go out, he'd at least wait for my mom to arrive, giving her countless instructions to take good care of me.

It got to the point where my mom would laugh, "She's my own daughter! Do you think I'd let anything happen to her?"

But today, he only hesitated for two seconds before nodding.

"Alright then, take care of yourself. I'll be back as soon as possible. Call me if anything happens!"

He left in a hurry, only grabbing a change of clothes before rushing out the door.

I sat still, not moving. Even when he turned back to look at me, I smiled and waved.

After the door closed, I still didn't move, but the rigid posture I'd held relaxed.

Smith was acting strangely. Everything about him was off.

But I didn't say a single extra word, nor did I ask a single extra question.

Because I knew where he was going and who he was going to see.

At first, I didn't know the woman's name.

I only knew her last name was Clement, and Smith called her Ms. Clement.

The first time I saw her was a year ago, before I was pregnant.

I was waiting for Smith at a new coffee shop downstairs from his office.

I hadn't told him I was coming, planning to call him around lunchtime.

But then he suddenly walked in.

The receptionist, who had been lounging lazily, straightened up.

Smith nodded to her, and she smiled, giving him an OK sign. It was an unspoken understanding.

I've always found that kind of unspoken understanding between a man and a woman terrifying.

It makes them both mistakenly believe they're destined to be together.

But at that time, the strange feeling only flickered in my mind, and I didn't think much of it.

Later, Smith saw me and looked surprised.

He asked what I was doing there. I said, "Waiting for you to have lunch."

"Why didn't you call me?"

"I didn't want to disturb your work!" I asked him, "Why did you come down?"

He rubbed his temples, sighing, "Work stuff, it's really annoying. Just came down to walk around and grab a coffee. Their cookies here are pretty good, you should try some."

As he spoke, he raised his hand, "Ms. Clement, another order of cookies, please!"

Meeting the woman's questioning gaze, he smiled and introduced me, "My wife!"

They were both completely at ease that day.

Smith introduced me naturally.

Clement greeted me openly, even comping our order.

Smith said the coffee here was authentic and quite good the one time he tried it, so his company's afternoon tea was now ordered from this place.

That's how they got to know each other.

Back then, I thought they were just a simple shop owner and customer.

I didn't know that those delicious cookies weren't actually for sale at their shop.

Nor did I know that Clement would text Smith, asking him:

"If you had met me first, would you have married me?"