Chapter 1

I needed Rodney the most after a car accident left me miscarrying, but instead, he ditched me at the hospital, saying there was some "emergency" at work. That night, I got a photo, Rodney kissing someone. I recognized them immediately: him and Macey Brown, his stepsister. I didn't ask questions. I just deleted the photo.

Later, I saw them picking out wedding rings, looking like a couple ready to say "I do." I couldn't help myself. I smiled and said, "Make sure you get a big one. Otherwise, your love seems as fragile as paper."

Rodney froze, panic flashing in his eyes as he grabbed my wrist. "Macey and I have nothing going on. Can you stop making a scene?"

But I wasn't making a scene anymore.

While I was driving that night, I got a call from Rodney, and I ended up in another accident. I lost the baby. After several hours of surgery, I woke up alive but alone in a general ward. The nurse told me Rodney had set everything up for me to be hospitalized, but he left in a hurry, saying work was calling.

I calmly asked the nurse to call my parents. It took them two hours to get there. When they did, my mom turned away, crying quietly. My dad, who usually stayed silent, was burning with anger.

"Where's Rodney? Why isn't he here?" he demanded.

They knew I'd left my life behind to be with him. Normally, I'd try to explain, tell them he was working hard for our future. But not this time. I was too tired. My parents noticed the exhaustion in my eyes and didn't ask more.

Rodney called me again, offering the usual empty words of concern. Then he dropped the bomb. He had a business trip. But he'd come see me once I was discharged. My mom tried to snatch the phone, but I just said, "Hmm," and hung up. She wanted to argue, but seeing my face, she sighed and didn't say anything more.

The day I was discharged, my parents waited forever to see Rodney. Then, I got a message. A photo. Rodney and Macey kissing. His watch was clearly visible in the picture, the one I gave him last year for his birthday.

Macey had been trouble for years. Back in college, she fought with Rodney and disappeared. I thought they were just siblings. When she showed up last year, struggling, I took her in, tried to help her get back on track. Never in a million years did I think she'd come between us like this.

I deleted the message. No hesitation.

When my parents dropped me off at home, we ran into Rodney, who was about to leave.

"Cecilia, are you okay? I was just about to pick you up," he said, looking guilty.

I glanced at the cartoon Band-Aid on his finger and said flatly, "I'm fine."

My parents were furious. They gave him an earful, but Rodney kept glancing at me, probably hoping I'd say something. I didn't. I just watched him get torn apart by my parents. I was done.