Chapter 2

When Carter slid the card in front of me, Sera was still sitting in my seat, slowly playing with the cold pasta.

The spaghetti was completely soggy.

Yet she acted like she didn't notice, looking up with a sweet smile. "Chloe, please don't misunderstand. I’m really just staying here for a few days."

Carter draped his coat over the chair, his voice flat. "Chloe, go stay with Helen for now. I’ll have someone pick you up before the wedding."

I stared at him. "That is our house."

"The deed is under my name."

He paused, as if realizing he sounded too harsh, and softened his tone. "Don't throw a tantrum. Sera just got back. She doesn't know her way around, and I don't feel comfortable leaving her in a hotel."

Sera lowered her head. "Carter, maybe I should just leave. Chloe seems to really mind."

Carter frowned. "No need."

Suddenly, my throat felt incredibly tight.

We chose that house together.

I remembered telling him how the south-facing balcony would be perfect for growing mint and jasmine. He had replied that the kitchen needed to be huge so I would have plenty of room to cook.

I believed him.

So on the day we got the keys, I stood in the kitchen holding our new plates, feeling happy for hours.

It turned out that all that excitement was mine alone.

I picked up the invitations from the table. "What about the wedding?"

Carter looked at me. "It goes on as planned."

"Where does my mom sit?"

He looked like he had just remembered my mother existed. "Sera’s health isn't good, so she needs to be at the VIP table where I can look after her. Helen can sit at the second table. It’s the same thing."

I let out a dry laugh. "My mom has bad legs."

"I'll have the staff arrange a wheelchair."

He thought of everything.

Sera put her fork down and sighed softly. "Chloe, Carter is already being so good to you. The wedding, the house, the ring—he hasn't skimped on anything."

"You shouldn't be too greedy."

I looked at Carter.

He didn't contradict her.

The tiny spark of hope left in my heart was completely snuffed out by his silence.

I put the invitations back on the table. "I’m not leaving tonight."

Carter’s brows furrowed. "Chloe, don't make this difficult for me."

"I won't."

I took the plate of spaghetti, walked into the kitchen, and dumped it into the trash can.

Carter followed me inside, grabbing my wrist. "It's just a plate of pasta. Is this really necessary?"

"You're right."

I looked down at the empty plate.

"It's just a plate of pasta."

He was quiet for a moment, then reached for the plate. "I’ll have the housekeeper make you something else."

I stepped back, avoiding his touch.

Sera stood at the kitchen doorway, her voice sounding as soft as cotton. "Carter, let it go. I don't think Chloe wants to see me right now."

Carter let go of my wrist and turned to her.

"Go get some rest first."

Standing in the kitchen, I watched him open the door to the master bedroom for her.

In that room, I chose the bedsheets.

I installed the bedside lamp.

Even the closet still held the silk pajamas I had bought for our wedding night.

Before Sera stepped inside, she glanced back at me.

She smiled.

The door clicked shut.

And in my hand, a hairline crack suddenly split across the empty ceramic plate.