I stared into his eyes—eyes I'd once thought were beautiful and full of love. Now I could see they were cold and empty.

So my "compassion" meant letting him use my child as spare parts to save another woman?

My throat burned like I'd swallowed fire. I couldn't even speak. I could only stare at him in shock.

Mason grew uncomfortable under my stare, looking away as his voice turned sharp. "Stop looking at me like that.

"This won't hurt our child. The doctors checked everything. It's perfectly safe.

"Besides, ten million dollars is enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life."

He paused, probably realizing how cold he sounded, then tried a gentler approach. "Jules, Chloe's life matters too. We can't just stand by and watch her die.

"You have the baby, take the money, and we go our separate ways. It works out for everyone."

Did he say it'd work out for everyone? Using my child and risking my life to save Chloe—how would that work out for everyone?

If he really thought this was fair, why had he been trying so hard to butter me up all these months?

Everything came crashing down at once. All those nights cuddled together, the home-cooked meals, every sweet gesture that had made me feel so loved and cherished. Suddenly, it was all just part of his scheme.

It made me want to throw up.

"Is that so?" I looked straight into his eyes, my voice barely a rasp. "And what if I refuse?"

The caring mask Mason had worn for several months finally cracked and fell away completely. He straightened up, looming over me with ice-cold eyes.

"Juliette, you don't have a choice in this. My wife and child are supposed to support me. That's how marriage works."

He turned and headed for the door, pausing at the threshold without looking back.

"Tomorrow, the driver will take you to the hospital at 9:00 am. You'd better not fight me on this."

I felt completely hollow inside. My body went limp as I slid down the cold desk to the floor, unable to even cry.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out with shaking hands and saw a bank notification.

Five million dollars from Mason. A down payment, of course. He was always so methodical.

I stared at those numbers and started laughing bitterly. This was the marriage I'd spent seven years trying to save. I'd loved him for seven years and been a fool for just as long.

But I was done being his fool. From now on, I was going to take care of myself.

The next morning, I didn't wait for the driver. I put on a full face of makeup for the first time in a while and slipped into the white dress that had always been Mason's favorite.

When I came downstairs, Mason glanced up at me, his eyes sharp with suspicion and warning. I gave him my most innocent smile and sat down across from him like the obedient wife I'd always been.

"Mason, I've been thinking about everything you said." My voice was perfectly calm. "You're right. Helping Chloe won't really cost me anything. I'll do whatever you need me to do."

Mason clearly hadn't expected me to cave so quickly. "Good. I'm glad you're being reasonable. I'll have my lawyer redraft the agreement. If you cooperate fully, I can add another five million to your compensation."

He was always so sure of himself when it came to me. I lowered my eyes, hiding the bitter smile that threatened to surface.

"The money doesn't matter. But I do have one condition."

"What is it?"

I looked up and met his gaze directly. "I want to meet Ms. Reid. After all, I'm this child's mother. I have the right to know who my baby is saving. And I want to see for myself what kind of woman is worth all this trouble."

Mason's brow furrowed as he weighed his options. I pressed my advantage, letting my voice waver with just the right amount of vulnerability.

"Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble. I just need to see her so I can finally let go. If I meet her face to face, I'll be able to put all my foolish dreams about you to rest and focus on what this really is—a business transaction."

Maybe it was the word "transaction" that pleased him, or maybe it was how pathetic and broken I looked in that moment. He stayed quiet for a long moment before finally nodding.

"Fine. I'll arrange it this afternoon," he said.

The knot in my chest loosened. Phase one of my plan was complete.

…

That afternoon, Mason drove me to the exclusive private hospital himself.

The contrast was stark. While I'd been getting my prenatal checkups in a basic single room, Chloe's suite was on the top floor. It was spacious, sunlit, and decorated like something out of a fairy tale.

Apparently, favoritism showed in every single detail.

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth and looked up. Chloe was wearing soft pink hospital pajamas, her face as pale as porcelain as she reclined weakly against her pillows.

The moment she saw Mason walk in, her whole face lit up. Her voice was sweet as honey as she said, "Mace, you came."

When her gaze fell on me, particularly on my belly, I caught a flash of something calculating and smug beneath her fragile act. Mason walked over and tenderly tucked the blanket around her, every gesture radiating tenderness.

"Chloe, I brought Juliette to meet you."

Only then did Chloe turn her full attention to me, giving me an apologetic smile that was perfectly rehearsed.

"Mrs. Clarke, hello. I'm so sorry my illness has caused you so much trouble."

She added a few delicate coughs for effect, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I never would have agreed to let Mason do this if there was any other way. Please don't blame him. He's just so worried about me."

What a perfect little victim she was. In just a few sentences, she'd managed to paint herself as an innocent bystander while highlighting just how deeply Mason cared for her.

I stood there in silence, studying her performance. Then, I smiled.

I walked over to her bedside and leaned down, speaking in a voice so soft only she could hear. "Ms. Reid, you're quite the actress. But you'd better hope you can keep fooling Mason forever. And you'd better pray I never decide to tell him the truth."

Chloe's face went white as a sheet.