Chapter 20
I cried all night. The ache in my chest burned worse than the pain in my abdomen. I had lost my baby. My womb. My pride. But Jackson–he didn’t even come back.
He said he’d return. That he had to “handle things.” But morning came, and I was still alone in that cold hospital bed. No calls. No texts. Just silence.
I reached for my phone, hoping maybe… something. Anything. But instead, I found her.
Candice. A new post. A story from the night before.
She was on a yacht, laughing like a queen in her golden bikini. Music in the background, champagne flutes in the air. And then–there he was. Jackson. Shirtless. Relaxed. Smiling. And kissing her.
My vision blurred. My fingers went numb. I threw the phone, but the pain stayed.”
The next morning, a nurse came with my discharge papers. Jackson didn’t even show up. Instead, the driver said he was “preparing a surprise at home.” I almost laughed. I almost believed. But I was too tired to question it.
When we arrived at the estate, I noticed the cars, the music, the voices. It wasn’t just a surprise. It was a full–blown party
I stepped inside and froze. Gold balloons. Champagne glasses. A massive cake that said “Welcome Home, Candice!” Candice. Not me.
And then I saw her. In the center of the crowd, radiant and smug. Her hand on the shoulder of a little boy. Around her, people fawned. Jackson’s mother, Janice, was beaming as she raised a toast.
“You should stay here in the estate with your son, Candice, Janice said. “Jackson will take care of you both.” Candice gave a soft laugh. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. What about your daughter–in–law? She might be upset.”
Janice scoffed. “So? I don’t care about that girl. She was never supposed to marry Jackson. I’ve never liked her. She walks around here like she owns the place, just because she ‘saved‘ him once. She’s nothing. Nothing!“”
It wasn’t new. Janice had always hated me. From the start.
She used to whisper behind my back, always cold, always watching. She blamed me for her divorce–believing I had something to do with it, just because Jackson’s father once said I reminded him of the woman Janice could never be. As if that was my fault. As if it was my fault that her husband had admired me–not out of love, but out of care as a father. She thought we were having an affair. I was twenty.
Jackson defended me then. Said I was family. That I saved his life. That I was loyal. I believed it. I thought he was standing by me. But now I know better–he needed me. A placeholder. A shield until Candice came back.
“Don’t worry, I will tell Jackson to divorce her soon, so maybe, you two…can be together?”
Candice laughed. “Well, maybe… that was a good idea.”
My breath caught. I had heard enough. I backed away quietly, deciding not to make a scene. Well, they never noticed me, either.
I climbed the stairs slowly, pain still lacing through my body. But just as I reached the landing, something hard hit my head.” A metal can.
I stumbled, clutching my skull. “What the hell-?”
And then I saw him. A little boy. Maybe three years old. Big brown eyes, now brimming with tears. He burst into sobs. “What’s wrong with you?” a voice shrieked behind me.”
Janice stormed up the stairs and yanked my hair so hard I nearly fell again. “You made him cry, you heartless bitch?”
I winced. “He threw something at my head-!“}
“So what if he did?” Janice spat. “He’s a child! And you–what kind of woman makes a baby cry? No wonder you lost yours. You’d never be a good mother.“%
The words sliced deeper than any scalpel.
“Mom, stop!” Jackson appeared at the top of the stairs. “She’s my wife,” he added.”
But Janice snapped, “Wife? I told you to divorce her! She’s damaged now–useless. Can’t even give you a child. She let herself be kidnapped and now you lost an heir”
I stood there, frozen, humiliated–until the boy ran to Jackson and hugged his leg.
“Daddy, I’m scared of her.“%
Daddy? Why haven’t I realized they look alike?%
I turned to Jackson, my voice barely above a whisper. “Who is he? Why is he calling you daddy?”
Jackson cleared his throat. “He’s Candice’s son. From my cousin. But… he’s going to stay with us. He needs a father figure, I’ll raise him like my own.“3
opter i
10:59 AM
“What?” My heart sank. “They’re staying here? You agree to that without telling me?“”
Candice gave a fake modest laugh. “Oh no, it’s really not necessary-“}
“Come on, Samantha,” Jackson cut in. “Don’t be dramatic. You just got home. Be nice. Candice lost her husband. Her child needs a home. This is the best thing we can do.“”
I stared at him. At all of them. And I swallowed the scream building in my throat. “Do whatever you want,” I said coldly. Then turned to go upstairs.
But I didn’t get far.
Janice grabbed my arm and shoved me–hard. “You ungrateful and rude bitch! You should be thankful!“}
My body twisted. My feet slipped.
And I tumbled. Down the stairs.
Pain exploded in my side and I hit the bottom with a sickening thud. Groaning, I tried to move but then I heard the child cry out. He had slipped too, landing roughly beside me.
All attention turned to him.
Jackson rushed over. “Are you okay, buddy?“}
No one looked at me. Not one person.
I crawled. My limbs shaking. My heart splintering. I dragged myself up the stairs, every step a reminder–I was no longer part of this family.
I had been replaced.
