Chapter 5

Rose let out a satisfied sigh. "Mr. Manning, your skin feels so cool." In that instant, Amara felt her world collapse. She stood outside the hospital room, watching through the gap in the door as two naked figures held each other inside. Gus pressed close to Rose, skin against skin, bodies intertwined like a real married couple. She suddenly remembered how much Gus used to hate physical touch, except from her. Once, when a female assistant at his company accidentally brushed his hand, he'd immediately gone to wash it three times. When he came back, he was still frowning as he told her, "Amara, anyone else's touch feels wrong to me. You're the only exception." But now, for Rose's sake, he could strip without hesitation and press his cooler skin against her fevered body. Amara bit down hard on her lip until she tasted blood, then finally released it. She turned and left, stopped by the pharmacy next door to buy some fever medicine, and went home alone. That night, she drifted in and out of feverish dreams, all of them about 16-year-old Gus. He skipped class to buy her favorite coffee from across town. He shouted, "Amara, I'm crazy about you!" in front of the whole school during lunch. He got down on one knee in the snow and asked, "Will you marry me someday?" In the end, 16-year-old Gus took 16-year-old Amara's hand and walked away into the distance, taking all their memories with them. … Three days later, Gus finally came home. The two of them faced each other in the living room, the air thick with tension. Amara turned to go upstairs, but Gus grabbed her wrist. "Amara, about what happened when you fell into the water, I need to explain…" "You chose Rose because she's carrying your child," Amara said calmly, finishing his sentence. "I understand." Gus paused, then visibly relaxed, thinking she genuinely didn't care. He smiled, his tone becoming lighter. "I'm glad you understand. By the way, your birthday's coming up. I'm planning a birthday party for you." Before Amara could refuse, he'd already released her and turned away to make phone calls. On the day of her birthday party, it was as elaborate as always. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, champagne towers caught the light, and guests raised their glasses in celebration. But Gus' attention was clearly elsewhere. He kept checking his phone, constantly responding to messages. Amara didn't need to guess. He was worried about Rose and the baby she was carrying. Sure enough, before the party had even ended, Gus hurried over to her side and whispered, "Amara, there's an emergency at the office. I have to go." Amara said nothing, just quietly watched him leave. She didn't want to stay either and was about to leave when her phone suddenly buzzed. It was a message from an unknown number. "Happy birthday, Amara. Too bad no one at your birthday party really cares about you." Below was a photo showing Gus, who was supposed to be handling an office emergency, standing in what was clearly another birthday party venue. It was Rose's birthday that day too, and he had rushed away from Amara's celebration to be with another woman on her special day. "Come over and see for yourself." Rose's next message popped up. "My birthday party is right next door to yours, and there's a surprise waiting for you." Amara had intended to turn and leave, but her legs carried her toward the neighboring venue against her will. The moment she pushed open the door, she felt like she'd been struck by lightning. Gus was gently caressing Rose's belly, his expression tender in a way that hurt to watch. Derek and Celia were sliding an emerald bracelet onto Rose's wrist. "Rosie, dear, this bracelet has been passed down to Manning family daughters-in-law for generations. You've been through so much carrying our grandchild. In our hearts, you're the Manning family's only true daughter-in-law." Amara felt like ice water had been poured over her from head to toe, her whole body trembling. She remembered that bracelet. When Gus had first brought her home to meet his parents, Derek and Celia had taken her hand with the same warmth, saying, "Amara, this bracelet belongs to Manning family daughters-in-law. It's yours now." But later, when word got out that she couldn't have children, Derek and Celia never smiled at her again. They'd even hinted that she should return the bracelet. And now, that same bracelet was on Rose's wrist. Amara wanted to leave, but her feet were rooted to the spot. Just then, Gus in the party venue suddenly looked up, his gaze cutting through the crowd and meeting hers directly.