Chapter 2

Earlier that day, Cameron had refused to give Sylvia a child, no matter how much pressure his family put on him. Due to that, his father, Richard Kirk, punished him by ordering him to kneel all night at Caleb's grave. He wasn't allowed to get up until he agreed. Simone assumed Cameron was still there. Just a short while ago, she had even gone out to check, but the graveyard was completely empty. Now, standing outside the bedroom door and seeing it with her own eyes, she let out a quiet, bitter laugh. The bed upstairs creaked nonstop all night long and didn't quiet down until sunrise. Simone didn't sleep a wink. She cried so much that her tears had almost dried up by morning. When the sun came up, she wiped her face dry, pulled herself together, and met with a lawyer to draft the divorce papers. Cameron had betrayed her and lied to her. Her entire family had treated her like a fool by staging this disgusting act right in front of her. She had clearly misjudged Cameron. If this was what marriage meant, she wanted no part of it. With the divorce agreement in hand, Simone walked into Cameron's study. She flipped straight to the last page and held the papers out to him. "Sign this," she said. Without hesitation, Cameron took the pen and signed his name. "You're not even going to ask what it is?" Simone asked calmly. "Aren't you afraid I might be selling you off?" "I'm not," Cameron replied with that same affectionate look he always wore. "I don't need to look. If it's something you hand me, I'll sign it. Even if you were selling me off, I'd help you seal the deal." He always had a way with words. Simone used to think that meant he loved her. But now she realized it was just another trick to keep her fooled. That night, Richard told Cameron to return to Caleb's grave to kneel again. Cameron stood firm. "Dad, give it up. I'll die kneeling out there before I agree to give Sylvia a child!" His words sounded noble, even heroic. Yet that very night, Simone once again heard soft moans drifting from the floor above. Eventually, Sylvia couldn't hold back and began crying out loud in pleasure. The same thing happened the next night, and the night after that. Getting pregnant didn't always happen on the first try. Naturally, they had to keep trying again and again to be sure. Simone started having trouble sleeping. Every time she closed her eyes, she couldn't stop imagining what was happening just one floor above her. The man she loved most was lying in bed with another woman. Her insomnia wore her down. Her face turned pale, her cheeks hollowed out, and her once-bright eyes became dull and ringed with dark circles. Meanwhile, Sylvia looked better every day. She was glowing with health. Obviously, she was being taken care of. The whole house was suddenly filled with cheer. It was as if Simone no longer existed. There were so many people under that roof, yet not a single one of them noticed how drained she looked. But back when Sylvia had lost weight from grief, everyone in the family panicked. Madeline went out of her way to cook elaborate meals just to tempt Sylvia to eat more. Hazel stayed by Sylvia's side day and night, terrified that something might upset her. Even Cameron had spent his days thinking up surprises to make Sylvia smile again. But now that Simone was the one falling apart, all she got was blame. "Why do you always have that miserable look on your face?" Madeline snapped. "If Caleb hadn't sacrificed himself to protect your husband, you'd be the widow right now!" "No sympathy at all. Can't even help your sister. Honestly, do you even care about anyone but yourself?" Hazel asked sarcastically. That was when Simone finally understood. It wasn't that they didn't see her pain. They simply didn't care. She said nothing. She quietly gathered her documents and applied for an overseas assignment through her company. If no one in this house cared whether she stayed or left, then she saw no reason to keep pretending she belonged here. Not long after, Sylvia finally got pregnant—thanks to Cameron's relentless efforts night after night. The house erupted in celebration. They even set off fireworks in the backyard. Simone remained silent. She calmly ate her oatmeal at the dining table. She slowly looked up at Cameron and said, "Cameron, the child Sylvia's carrying isn't yours, right?" The question caught Cameron off guard. His smile faltered for a moment, and a trace of irritation flashed in his eyes. "Honey, don't joke about something like that," he said. "Sylvia wanted me to give her a child, but I said no. You were there. You saw me refuse. I got punished for it, remember? I knelt at Caleb's grave for a whole month. My knees were practically done for. "I stood up to my parents for you, and now you're doubting me? Honey, anyone else can question me, but not you. You're the only one I've ever loved." He reached out to hold her. His face was filled with what looked like hurt. But Simone didn't move. She kept eating small bites of her oatmeal. Her expression stayed calm and unreadable. Seeing her like that, Cameron sighed quietly. "I wasn't going to say anything, but if I don't, you'll just keep imagining the worst," he said. "Alright, I'll tell you the truth. "My parents found someone else to help Sylvia. He's one of Caleb's friends from the army. That's who's been with her. You and I will keep that between us. This can't get out. "She's going to be raising the child alone. It won't be easy for her. So, we should help her however we can. Caleb died saving my life, Mona. When Sylvia's child is born, I hope you'll join me in treating that baby as if it were our own."