Chapter 2
Over the years, Carol had always been a wedge between Sloan and Wyatt. At first, Sloan had thought Carol was just a lonely little girl craving love, which was why she tolerated her constant interference. Maybe it was because they both had difficult upbringings that Sloan even treated Carol with affection, almost like a little sister.
But Carol never appreciated it
Instead, she would deliberately share a bowl of food with Wyatt, drink from the same glass and even sleep in the same bed–right in front of Sloan.
And then, Carol had the audacity to say, “Sloan! As long as I’m around, you’ll never have Wyatt fully. He loves me the most. If you insist on being blind about this, don’t blame me when you’re left with nothing but an empty title as Mrs. Finley!”
Sloan had brushed it off at the time, confident that Wyatt’s love and respect for her were unshakable. He had always treated her with the utmost care, both in public and in private. He couldn’t possibly betray her like that.
Until he did.
Until he started choosing Carol over her. Over and over again.
Harper Kemp, Sloan’s best friend, stood to the side, her face twisted with rage. She was ready to expose Wyatt for the cheating scumbag he was, but Sloan stopped her with a trembling hand.
“It’s not worth it,” Sloan said weakly. “Come on, let’s go.”
Her legs gave out beneath her and she collapsed to the floor, shaking uncontrollably as sobs tore through her chest. Tears streamed down her face, no longer held back. The beautiful memories they had built together shattered before her eyes, leaving only broken pieces that could never be put back together.
Harper rushed to her side, wrapping an arm around Sloan’s shoulders. “Come on, babe. Let’s get you to the hospital.”
While Harper stepped out to buy some soup, Wyatt arrived at the hospital, breathless and anxious.
“Congratulations, Mr. Finley! Your fiancee is pregnant!” the doctor announced with a bright
smile.
A flash of joy crossed Wyatt’s face before concern immediately took over. “How is Sloan? Is she okay?”
The doctor adjusted Sloan’s blanket and smiled warmly. “She is fine. Just fainted from emotional shock. You two must be so close–Mr. Finley, you seem more worried about her than the baby–just like the rumors say. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.” Wyatt smiled and thanked the doctor, his hand tightening around Sloan’s.
He didn’t notice how quiet Sloan had become.
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emotional shock. You two must be so close–Mr. Finley, you seem more worried about her than the baby–just like the rumors say. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness
Wyatt smiled and thanked the doctor, his hand tightening around Sloan’s.
He didn’t notice how quiet Sloan had become.
She already knew that even if they had a child together, there was no going back to the way
things were.
It was the child she felt sorry for–it had come at the wrong time, in the middle of a broken relationship.
After the doctor left, Wyatt took her hand between his, his thumb brushing gently over the back of her hand. His voice was soft and filled with quiet excitement.
“We’re going to have a baby,” he said, his eyes bright with hope. “We’re going to be a happy family of three. I will-”
Before he could finish, his phone buzzed.
Wyatt glanced at the screen, his expression tightening as he instinctively angled the phone away from Sloan’s view.
Sloan’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. “Who is it?” she asked softly.
Wyatt’s face remained calm. “Just work.”
But as he read the message, his brow creased and his fingers moved quickly across the screen, typing a reply.
Sloan reached for his arm, her touch light but pleading. “I’m not feeling well. Can you stay with me for a little while?”
Wyatt was about to put the phone down when another message popped up–this time, a picture.
It was Carol, smiling smugly, her arm draped around the neck of a young male celebrity. Her expression was playful, teasing and a little provocative.
Wyatt’s mouth curled into a helpless, indulgent smile.
“I’d love to but I can’t,” Wyatt said, standing up. “Something came up at work. They need me. Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”
He kissed her forehead before walking away without a second glance.
Sloan’s heart twisted painfully. She had known this would happen. She had known Carol would always come first.
How could she have been so foolish to think that years of companionship could compete with the pull of first love?
Sloan pulled the blanket over her head and sobbed until her chest hurt.
