Chapter 4
Declan spent forever getting ready before we finally left the house.[]
The whole drive there, I was an emotional wreck–treating this trip like some kind of twisted farewell tour.
But I sure as hell wasn’t expecting Piper and her daughter to pop out of the room next door the second we checked into the vineyard resort.]
“You guys made it! Chloe’s been asking about you all morning,” Piper chirped, all fake smiles.[]
I didn’t say a word. I was too busy staring at the pink diamond necklace hanging around her neck.
Exact same design as my ring.[]
Only difference? Her diamonds were three times the size of mine.[]
Before I could process this bullshit, little Chloe grabbed my hand and started gawking at my ring.]
“Wow, Mommy! Ms. Lopez has pink diamonds too!“[]
“But they’re so tiny.”
Piper touched her necklace and put on this innocent act.]
“Oh my gosh, you’re right!“]
“Riley, looks like we’re wearing pieces from the same collection.“[]
I turned to Declan, my voice ice–cold. “Funny thing about this brand–they never sell sets separately.“]]
“What a crazy coincidence.“]
I walked straight into our room and slammed the door.
I could hear Declan saying something to Piper outside, then her hissing at Chloe.]
*If you embarrass Ms. Lopez like that again, Mommy’s gonna be very upset with you!“]]
Chloe burst into tears, and Declan spent twenty minutes out there comforting her before he finally came inside.[]
And just like that, any guilt he might’ve felt toward me evaporated the second that kid started crying.
He glared at me with this disgusted expression. “Kids say whatever pops into their heads. Getting all bent out of shape over a five–year–old is pretty damn petty.”
I knew better than to expect anything from him at this point, but it still felt like a punch to the gut.
I slid the ring off and dropped it on the nightstand.[]
“Jewelry looks better as a complete set anyway. Keep it.“[]
Declan’s mouth opened and closed like a fish, his eyes flashing with annoyance
“I bought everything for you, you know. It’s just that Chloe’s been in and out of our hospital so much.“[]
“The kid liked the necklace, so I gave it to her.”
I stared out the window without saying a word, which apparently set him off.[]
“Riley, can you please not ruin this whole trip with your attitude?“]]
“I gave expensive jewelry to a sick kid because of you! When you were too damn selfish to donate your kidney and would rather get divorced instead, you put me in an impossible position. I’m a doctor–letting a child die goes against everything I believe in.“[]
“I’m trying to fix what you broke!“]]
Chapter 4
The sheer audacity made me want to laugh.
Why bother with all these pathetic excuses?
For a split second, I wanted to throw the truth in his face, but what was the point?
I’d already decided to leave. No sense wasting my breath.[]
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Running into Piper and Chloe completely shattered Declan’s fake husband routine.]
He gave me the silent treatment for hours, sulking like a teenager.]
It wasn’t until the baby kicked me so hard in the ribs that I gasped and doubled over that he finally rushed to my side.
“What’s wrong? Is the baby okay?“]
I looked up at him, and everything clicked into place.
I used to think Declan’s obsession with every little thing about this pregnancy meant he’d be an amazing father.[]
Now I knew the truth–he was worried about someone else’s daughter.[]
He was terrified that anything happening to my baby might screw up his kidney harvest.[]
When I didn’t answer, Declan sighed and tried to smooth things over.
“Okay, okay, that’s on me. I’m sorry.“[]
“We finally get a day off together. Can we just… have a good time?“[]
“Come on, let’s go for a walk.“]
Declan dragged me outside, and naturally we ran straight into Piper and Chloe again.]
The way his whole face softened when he saw them made me sick.[]
“Declan.”
“Did you plan this? Invite them here?”
Before he could even open his mouth, Piper called out while holding Chloe.]]
“Come play with us!“]
Declan completely ignored my question and jogged right over to them.
I let out a bitter laugh.]
You really can’t hide love, can you?]
Declan and Chloe were having the time of their lives together.
He was super careful about her condition, mostly just carrying her around while she giggled.
When Piper got tired, she wandered over and plopped down next to me on the bench.]
She sat there watching them with this smug smile.
“Seeing Chloe still alive and having so much fun with your husband–must be eating you alive, huh?”
I stared at this gloating bitch with zero expression.[]
“Growing up watching her mom play homewrecker must’ve been quite the education. I actually feel sorry for her.”
Piper froze, then made sure Declan wasn’t looking before her face twisted into something ugly.
She glanced down at my belly and snorted.
“So what if it’s your anniversary? It’s pretty obvious who matters more to Declan.”
“You’re gonna regret this, Riley.”
Chapter 5
I caught the malice in her eyes and shot back coldly, “Right back at you.“[]
I’d refused to donate my kidney, and the baby they were counting on was about to be terminated. Piper’s time to panic was coming real soon.
