Chapter 2

My hands wouldn't stop shaking even after I sent the message. The conversation inside the room continued.

“Is this really fair to Mia? If it weren’t for her child, she would have followed you to the grave. She’s so distraught, a ghost of herself, barely touching her food – it was killing me to watch her.”

Julian sighed deeply.

“But Valentina only has six months. This is her only wish. I can’t let her down.”

“As for Mia, we have a lifetime together. I’ll make it up to her later, Mom, don’t worry…”

My heart clenched, a vice grip squeezing the life out of me. Searing pain ripped through every fiber of my being, leaving me breathless.

I stumbled back to my bedroom, my knees buckling as I collapsed onto the floor. Just then, Liam’s call came through.

“Mia, what’s wrong? What happened? Julian’s dead, isn’t he?”

I wanted to say something, anything, but the moment I opened my mouth, tears streamed down my face, unstoppable.

Yes, in the eyes of the world, Julian was dead.

I understood Liam’s confusion. Even I hadn’t imagined Julian would fake his own death, and the reason was for another woman.

Though I said nothing, Liam on the other end must have sensed my distress. After a long silence, he spoke softly.

“I’ll send a plane to pick you up the night after tomorrow. I’ll arrange everything else.”

After he hung up, I remained frozen, phone still in hand.

Just then, a soft knock came at the door. Standing outside was my brother-in-law, holding a glass of milk.

Or rather, Julian, holding a glass of milk.

“Mia, what’s wrong? Why are you sitting on the floor? Are you crying? Are you thinking about Julian again?”

For the past half-month since Julian returned, posing as my brother-in-law, he had been nothing but kind to me, seemingly treating me as his deceased brother’s wife.

Countless times, faced with his concern, I felt a familiar haze. Mrs. Hastings always attributed my daze to my profound grief for Julian.

I quickly locked my phone screen, forcing a shaky smile.

“Nothing, just felt a bit unwell suddenly. Lost my footing for a second.”

Julian visibly relaxed, placing the milk aside. He carefully helped me up from the floor.

“This little one, so disobedient. Just wait until they’re born, your uncle will have a word with them.”

“Come on, get up. I warmed some milk for you. Drink it and get some rest. Don’t think too much. If Julian saw you like this, he wouldn’t be at peace.”

Hearing that name on his lips, I finally couldn’t take it anymore. I looked up, meeting his eyes, and questioned him, word by word.

“Are you really not Julian?”