Chapter 2
“Are you sure you can handle the pressure? Not wanting kids and not being able to have them aren’t the same thing.
“No matter what you decide, I’ll support you.”
Brent hesitated.
Back then, I told him that if he ever stopped being afraid–if he truly wanted a child–I’d go through surgery again so we could have our own baby.
And he agreed.
Ten years ago, his parents suddenly stopped pushing us. His mother stopped rolling her eyes at me and stopped forcing me to take meds.
They moved to London to enjoy their retirement, leaving the family villa to Brent and me.
All along, I thought they had finally let it go.
Turns out, the Ceppetellis already had an heir. Twins, in fact.
That was when I found out that all those times Brent traveled to London, it wasn’t for
business. He was with Shalane Shepley and their children.
I swallowed my emotions, pushing down the tightness in my chest.
“Do you even know the difference between responsibility and love, Brent? Don’t
you
think
I’m pathetic? Like a complete fool?”
He looked at me, guilt flashing across his face.
“I’m so sorry, Cammie. I never wanted you to go through surgery–I just… I just wanted to experience being a father.
“She and the kids don’t interfere with our lives. I’ve done my duty to Shalane, and if you’re willing, they’ll treat you with respect–like a mother.”
I let out a cold laugh.
“So my husband cheats, and I’m supposed to be grateful that I now have children who will be filial to me? Otherwise, I’d just die alone and miserable?”
Brent looked uncomfortable, his voice rising slightly.
“Come on, why do you have to put it like that? It wasn’t cheating! It only happened once,” he muttered. “And it was for-”
Maybe even he couldn’t bring himself to finish that sentence. Instead, he drove everyone out of the room.
“Camryn, I know you’re upset, but try to understand. I’m forty–two. I just… didn’t want to have regrets.
“If you really love me, you’d accept the kids. Shalane takes care of them well–you wouldn’t have to do anything. Isn’t that a good thing?”
I stared at him for a long time before my voice finally came out, hoarse.
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I stared at him for a long ume perore my voice many came out, noarse.
“And what if I don’t accept them?”
“I know this is hard for you right now. It’s okay–I’ll give you time.
“But Shalane and the kids… I will keep seeing them.
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“Next week is Dad’s 70th birthday. Shalane’s bringing the kids. Once you meet them, you’ll love them.”
And with that, he closed the door and left.
I sat there quietly, unlocked my phone, and opened the file from the private investigator. Thousands of photos and videos–Brent at every doctor’s appointment with Shalane, from the first ultrasound to the birth of their children. Every milestone, every family moment. There was even a stock transfer agreement.
Twenty years of marriage. And all those “business trips” outside the U.S.? He was with them!
And I never even questioned it!
The perfect happy family photos felt like a knife stabbing my eyes.
I had given up everything to marry into Brent’s family. I stood by him through every storm. I became the woman behind his success.
And in the end, I was nothing more than a stranger in his life.
Feeling numb, I closed my phone and made a call.
“I’ll take the offer to expand the northwest market. And find me the best divorce lawyer you can.”
At my father–in–law’s birthday party, Shalane arrived in a custom dress, her face glowing and perfectly maintained.
She whispered something that made my in–laws burst into laughter.
The twins, dressed in crisp navy suits with matching ties, looked elegant and adorable.
Regina, my mother–in–law, held their hands, her eyes filled with affection.
Afraid they’d be hungry or thirsty, she had the hotel servants bring out Michelin–star pastries.
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Chapter 3
