Chapter 2

I didn’t know how I made it through the night. My tears had dried up, but the pain in my chest remained. In just one day, my happy life had turned into a lie. Sebastian had planned everything behind my back. His first step was to make Jordan give up on me, so he wouldn’t have to fight me for custody in court. I had to be strong. I needed to find a job, but not right now. I got out of bed, my body numb. No matter what, I still had to check on Jordan at the hospital. Even if he didn’t want me as his mother anymore, I needed to make sure he was okay. It was six in the morning. I could still prepare breakfast before eight, but Jordan’s cruel words echoed in my head. I shook them off and focused on cooking. I made sure to follow his diet, careful about his weak stomach. Just as I finished, the door opened. It was Sebastian. "My mom is with Jordan at the hospital," he said. "You don’t have to go. You need rest." I stared at him. Rest? After what I found out yesterday? I didn’t want to talk to him, but he noticed my red eyes right away. He pulled me into his arms and asked, “What’s wrong?” I looked up at him. His eyes were warm, full of concern. He had always been a busy man, but he never made me feel small for being a stay-at-home mom. He always stood by me. But now? After what I saw on the tablet? I felt sick. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "Do you want to divorce me?" His eyes widened in shock. "What?! Haley, are you crazy?" He looked so confused, so innocent—I almost believed him. But I couldn’t. I turned and rushed to his study, my pulse racing. I grabbed the tablet and threw it onto his desk. Sebastian followed me. "Haley? What is this—" "Open it." My voice was sharp. He hesitated before picking it up. His jaw clenched as he read the messages. "Explain," I demanded. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "This is a group Jordan made." I let out a bitter laugh. "And you just went along with it? Letting our son believe another woman is his mother?" Sebastian’s expression darkened. "Watch your tone." "Or what?" I stepped closer, my anger rising. "Are you going to lie again? Pretend you don’t know why our son is calling your ex ‘Mom’?" His face remained calm. "I won’t lie to you, Haley Reed." "Then tell me why Joey is in that group! Why was I excluded from my own son’s birthday?" Sebastian exhaled, then stood up. His presence filled the room, making it hard to breathe. "You think I’d let someone replace you?" His voice was low, firm. "Let another woman take what’s yours?" "Then what is this?!" I snapped. "Because from where I’m standing, it looks exactly like that." His jaw twitched. "I’ll handle it." "That’s not an answer." "I don’t give answers. I give results." His fingers wrapped around my wrist—not harshly, but firm enough that I could feel his warmth. "Joey doesn’t matter," he said. "You do. So does Jordan." "Then act like it!" I pulled my hand away. "Because right now? You’re failing at both." His eyes flashed, and suddenly, he moved. Before I could react, my back hit the wall. He trapped me with his arms, his breath warm against my skin. "You think I don’t know what I’m doing?" His voice was low, dangerous. "Haley, let me make something clear to you right now." His hands rested on my shoulders, his amber eyes burning into mine. I swallowed hard, but I couldn’t look away. I shook my head. "Tell me the truth, Sebastian. Don’t treat me like a fool!" Sebastian sighed. His voice softened. "Do you remember your thyroid cancer surgery six months ago?" I froze. Of course, I remembered. When I was scared, it was Sebastian who held my hand. He was the one who reassured me that it was just a small surgery, that everything would be fine. I never doubted him. I never thought he would betray me. But now… He continued, "The doctor said your thyroid cancer might have been caused by severe postpartum depression. It’s linked to emotions, Haley." I stiffened. I had struggled with postpartum depression after giving birth to Jordan. I thought I had moved past it, but… Sebastian’s voice was steady. "So, when Joey showed up and offered to help with Jordan, I agreed. I thought it would take some stress off you." My breath caught. "And the messages you saw…" He hesitated. "I didn’t want Jordan to be unhappy on his birthday. That’s all." I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that everything he did was for my sake. "But the group chat…" My voice was small, unsure. "I’ll delete it right now." Sebastian grabbed his phone and dissolved the chat. He even blocked Joey’s contact. I blinked in surprise. That was it? Just like that? The tension in my shoulders eased a little, but before I could ask what he planned to tell Jordan— Sebastian suddenly grabbed my chin and kissed me. I gasped, but he didn’t give me a chance to pull away. His hands tightened around my waist, pulling me against him. The kiss wasn’t soft or sweet. It was raw, angry, filled with frustration. I should have pushed him away. I should have fought back. But I didn’t. Because deep down, underneath all the betrayal and anger… I still wanted him. And I hated myself for it. Sebastian felt my hesitation and took advantage of it. He lifted me effortlessly, setting me on his desk. Papers scattered to the floor. His hands ran over my body, possessive. His breath was shaky, revealing just how much control he was losing. "You’re mine," he whispered, pressing his forehead against mine. "No one can replace you. Ever." I should have pushed him away. I should have screamed at him. But the pain, the frustration, the betrayal… It all melted away in his touch.