Chapter 2

"Rayne, can you upgrade the hotel to a suite? I want to take photos for Ins. This small room is too shabby."

Sophia's message popped up, followed by a pouting emoji.

I stared at the screen. My fingers were still trembling.

The image of my father's face from that video call was still burned into my mind.

That child was Jasper and Sophia's?

I didn't reply to her. Instead, I turned and dialed Jasper's number.

He answered instantly, his tone gentle: "Baby, what's wrong? Missing me?"

I was about to speak when I heard a laugh in the background.

Very soft, but I knew it too well.

Sophia's laugh, with that coquettish lilt at the end.

"Who are you with?"

"Oh, Sophia came to pick up the sunscreen you bought for her. She just stopped by."

His tone was casual.

"What's wrong, baby?"

Stopped by? His company was in the east side of the city, Sophia lived on the west side. Forty minutes apart by car.

"Nothing, just asking."

I hung up.

I opened my notes app, deleted the Hawaii itinerary I'd written, and typed a line: Not going to Hawaii.

At dinner time, I went back to my parents' house.

When I pushed open the door, the spicy wings hit me.

All dishes Sophia loved.

I had a bad stomach. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with superficial gastritis and couldn't eat spicy food.

Mom poked her head out from the kitchen: "Rayne's here? Come sit. Sophia rarely comes home for dinner, so just make do, okay."

Sophia rolled her eyes: "If you don't like it, just eat less. It's not like this every day."

I sat down. There wasn't a single dish in front of me that I could eat.

I took a bite of fried chicken. When I swallowed, my stomach burned with acid.

After dinner, Jasper came to pick me up.

He greeted my parents first, his smile appropriate.

Then he walked to the sofa and naturally picked up the shopping bag Sophia had left there, handing it to her.

"This is pretty heavy. Let me carry it down for you."

Their fingertips touched. Neither pulled away.

Sophia looked up at him. Her ears were flushed red.

Jasper turned to me with a smile: "Let's go, baby. Time to go home."

I saw it all but said nothing.

In the car, he gripped the steering wheel with one hand and covered the back of my hand with the other.

"Rayne, is everything arranged for Hawaii? Do you need my help?"

"All booked."

"That's good." He glanced at me. "When we get there, I'll take you diving. You've always wanted to try, right?"

I said okay.

Back home, I closed the bedroom door and sat on the edge of the bed.

I replayed that future video call in my mind over and over again.

The house given to Sophia. The child belonging to Jasper and Sophia. You decide for yourself.

I picked up my phone and saw that Sophia had sent a message in the family group chat:

"So excited! The hotel Rayne booked must be amazing! Love you, Rayne!"

Followed by a row of hearts.

Mom replied: "Rayne worked hard."

Dad sent a thumbs-up emoji.

I exited the group chat and opened my conversation with Jasper.

The most recent message was his goodnight text with a kissing emoji.

I scrolled up to three days ago.

He had recalled a message.

The recall time was 2:17 PM.

That afternoon at 2 PM, Sophia posted on social media saying she was shopping at the mall.

Location: A shopping district in the east side.

The one downstairs from Jasper's company.

I put my phone face-down on the nightstand and closed my eyes.

My future father's voice echoed again:

"You decide for yourself."