She knew he would ask and she’d already thought of an excuse.

“I don’t like them anymore.”

Evelyn’s calm statement left Hunter utterly baffled. His brows furrowed as he stared at her, unable to wrap his mind around her sudden change of heart.

“Why don’t you like them anymore?” he pressed.

“No reason. I just don’t.”

Hunter reached for her hand, his grip firm yet gentle. “That’s okay. If you don’t like them, we can take new ones. There are so many new styles now compared to five years ago. Tomorrow, we’ll pick a new theme—something you’ll love.”

“Sure,” Evelyn replied casually, her tone indifferent. She knew Hunter’s focus wasn’t truly on her, so he wouldn’t sense anything amiss.

As expected, Hunter’s expression relaxed. He nodded eagerly. “Great. Let’s make it our fifth wedding anniversary celebration.”

The next morning, Evelyn barely had time to process what was happening before Hunter whisked her into the car.

She glanced at him, puzzled. 

“We’re going to take wedding photos,” Hunter said as if knowing her thought, his face glowing with enthusiasm. His tone was affectionate, his gaze brimming with what appeared to be love.

Evelyn opened her mouth to decline, but Hunter had already instructed the driver to start the car.

When they arrived at the bridal boutique, a team of staff greeted them warmly. As they stepped inside, the luxurious decor and sparkling gowns lining the walls seemed almost too perfect, like a scene out of a dream.

Hunter took the lead, enthusiastically discussing the latest trends with the staff and turning to Evelyn every few minutes to ask her opinion. “What do you think? Do you like this one?” he asked, his voice full of consideration.

“I’m fine with anything,” Evelyn replied dismissively. She had no intention of taking the photos seriously, especially since her departure was imminent.

Hunter frowned at her nonchalance. “There must be something you like. But if there’s really nothing you’re interested in, we can go to another boutique.”

Evelyn didn’t want to waste any more time with him, so she quickly chose a few dresses at random.

Evelyn waved him off, picking a few dresses at random. “These will do.”

“Alright,” Hunter said with a smile. “Let’s start with these.”

With the help of the staff, Evelyn stepped into the fitting room to try on the first dress. The heavy fabric brushed against her skin as she adjusted the layers, her mind wandering far from the task at hand.

When she finally stepped out, she froze.

Across the room, Jennifer stood in another wedding gown, her radiant smile directed at Hunter, who had his back to Evelyn.

Jennifer’s voice rang out, playful and teasing. “What do you think, Mr. Fairchild? Do I look good in a wedding dress?”

Hunter chuckled softly, his tone dripping with affection. “Yeah, I like it. You look stunning.”

Jennifer took a step closer, brushing her hand lightly against his sleeve. “Then when are we taking wedding photos together?”

“Whenever you’re ready,” Hunter replied without hesitation.

Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat. Her grip tightened on the wall beside her, her knuckles turning white as a wave of nausea threatened to overwhelm her.

Jennifer spotted her first. Her lips curved into a triumphant smile as she called out, “Mrs. Fairchild?”

Hunter spun around instantly, his face a mix of panic and guilt.

Evelyn knew what he was thinking—he was terrified that she had overheard their conversation.

Forcing herself to regain composure, Evelyn lifted her gaze briefly to meet Jennifer’s before turning away without a word. She returned to the fitting room, her movements stiff and mechanical.

Inside, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Jennifer.

[Did you hear that? Your husband said I look beautiful in a wedding dress. He even agreed to take wedding photos with me. How much longer are you going to hold onto a man who doesn’t love you?]

[Just give up already. The title of Mrs. Fairchild will soon be mine.]

Evelyn stared at the screen, her chest tightening. Jennifer’s confidence was unbearable, her words cutting deep, but Evelyn’s pain had dulled into something closer to numbness.

She changed back into her clothes and stepped out of the fitting room. Hunter was waiting for her, his face full of concern as he reached for her hand.

“Why did you change back? You don’t like the dress?” he asked, his voice soft but puzzled.

“I’m a little tired,” Evelyn replied, her tone flat. “Let’s do this another day.”

Without waiting for a response, she walked toward the exit.

Hunter hesitated for a moment before hurrying after her. “Of course,” he said quickly. “We can always do this another time.”

He had been talking incessantly in Evelyn’s ear, but she found it all unbearably annoying. She mustered all her courage to ask him. 

“Hunter,” she called softly.

“Yeah?” Hunter’s words trailed off, as he looked at her with serious face. “Is something wrong?” He asked when Evelyn paused.

“You and… Are you…” She wanted to ask about Jennifer, but before she could finish, an urgent ring from his phone interrupted her.

After answering the call, Hunter looked at her with urgency in his voice. “Evie, I need to go to the hospital right now. Can you head home first? I’ll explain everything later at home.”

Without waiting for a reply, he hurried off.

Evelyn stood there, watching his retreating figure, unable to stop herself from pulling at the corner of her lips in a faint, bitter smile. She had already given up on Hunter completely, but in this moment, her curiosity still lingered. What reason had Jennifer found this time to pull Hunter away?

Her phone buzzed a few times and she glanced at it. A message from Jennifer. It was a scan report. And an address to a hospital. Evelyn almost dropped her phone, her hand trembling as she stared at the text. Without hesitation, she immediately hailed a cab to the hospital.

Upon arriving at the hospital and entering the obstetrics and gynecology department, she spotted them from a distance—Hunter and Jennifer, tightly embracing each other.

Hunter’s face was filled with happiness and Evelyn couldn’t deny that she knew exactly how overjoyed he was.

Jennifer was pregnant.

Even though Evelyn had already known about the affair between Jennifer and Hunter, the reality of seeing them together with the confirmation of a child felt like a suffocating darkness.

She had thought about the possibility of Hunter falling in love with Jennifer, but she never imagined that he would allow Jennifer to carry his child.

Three years ago, Evelyn had been pregnant with Hunter's child. It had been a time of quiet joy for her, despite the complications in their relationship. She had believed that the child would bring them closer, that it would be their little miracle.

But everything had shattered one fateful night.

Hunter had attended a social event and got drunk. She had been forced to leave her office early to pick him up. The storm outside had made the roads treacherous, but she didn’t think twice. She had driven through the downpour, her mind focused on getting Hunter home safely.

But fate had other plans.

In the midst of the storm, her car had collided with another. The impact was severe. The airbags deployed, but it didn’t matter. The damage had been done. When she woke up in the hospital, the first thing she noticed was the empty space in her belly, the void where her child had been.

The doctors told her that the trauma from the accident had caused a miscarriage. She’d lost the baby and because of the damage to her uterus, she was no longer able to conceive.

That night, as Hunter cradled her in his arms, his sobs were raw and desperate, like a child who had lost everything.

He apologized over and over again. Finally, he told her that from that moment on, they could live their lives in peace, without anyone disturbing them. He said he was happy.

After that, he never brought up the subject of children again and forbade anyone in the family from speaking of it. Back then, she believed that Hunter loved her. Even though they would never have children, he would cherish her forever, love her always. Now, seeing Hunter so happy with Jennifer, holding her tightly, Evelyn couldn’t stop the wave of grief that washed over her.

From the distance, she could hear Hunter speaking tenderly to Jennifer, his voice full of emotion. “You don’t know how much I’ve wanted a child. Thank you, Jennifer, for making this wish come true for me.”

Evelyn’s fingers turned numb as she stood frozen, her body trembling with disbelief. So, it wasn’t about their life together. Hunter didn’t cherish their quiet world of just the two of them—he had simply known that she could never have children and that was why he never brought it up.

The realization crashed over her like a tidal wave, shattering the fragile illusion she had built. All the promises, all the dreams of a future together, now felt hollow. He had moved on and it wasn’t just a change in his relationship—it was everything. He had found someone who could give him what she never could: a child, a family, everything he truly wanted.

***

Back at the Fairchild’s estate, when Evelyn stepped through the door, she found Margaux chatting on the phone—her voice brimming with excitement and joy, clearly trying to hold back her happiness.

“She is? Oh, heaven, that’s such great news. Jennifer’s pregnancy is exactly what the Fairchild family needed. Now, Hunter, you have to take extra good care of her. Keep her happy.”

Margaux paused for a moment as she listened.

“I’m not sure I can trust you with that. I’ll go visit her myself, make sure everything’s in order.”

Another pause.

“Yes, yes, I understand. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Evelyn doesn’t find out. Okay, bye.”

Once the phone call ended, Margaux spun around, her expression turning to one of panic when she saw Evelyn standing quietly in the doorway.

“Evelyn? I didn’t see you there. When did you—”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you, mom. I just got here and I’m exhausted. I think I’ll head up to my room and rest.”

Margaux forced a smile, trying to hide her nervousness.

Seeing no sign of distress on Evelyn’s face, Margaux assumed she hadn’t overheard the conversation and let out a sigh of relief.

“Of course you’re tired. Well, I won’t hold you. Go get some rest.”

Evelyn went upstairs and stood by the bed. Not long after, she saw the car leave the driveway.

She tugged at the corners of her lips. Was she really in that much of a hurry to see her to-be grandchild?

***

For the next few days, Hunter didn’t return home. During this time, Evelyn wrapped up all her work and packed her things. She threw away what she could, sold off what she didn’t need and shipped the rest.

By the end of it, the entire house was free of anything that had any connection to her.

Once everything was settled, she dialed her colleague’s number. “Lawyer Scott, I’ll leave the rest to you. Thank you for everything.”

It was at that moment that Hunter came back. He hugged her from behind, his voice soft and carrying a hint of exhaustion.

“Who is that?”

Evelyn didn’t turn around. She lowered her eyes and spoke in a flat tone. “It’s from work. They sent me to a business trip.”

“A business trip?”

Evelyn nodded and murmured softly, “Hm-hmm.”

Hunter immediately pouted, sounding almost childishly sulky. “Why so sudden? How many days will you be gone? You know, I’ll be so lonely without you near me.”

As he spoke, he leaned in, pretending to kiss her lips.

Evelyn subtly avoided his kiss, a trace of sarcasm flashing in her eyes. It was clear—he had lied so many times that now it came naturally to him.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright then,” Hunter said with a sigh. “I’ll miss you every day. Break a leg.”

“Mm.”

Hunter’s phone buzzed several times and he kissed her forehead.

“I still have some work to finish. I’m going to the study. You should rest early, darling.”

As Hunter turned to leave, Evelyn, for the first and last time, called out to him.

“What is it?”

“Your phone. They’re from work?” she asked calmly, her gaze icy cold.

A flash of unease flickered through Hunter, as if sensing there was something more to her words.

He paused for a moment, then smiled. “Of course it’s work. If it weren’t for all those annoying tasks, I’d never leave your side.”

“I see.” Evelyn gave a faint smile and the last shred of warmth she had left inside vanished.

“Well, what are waiting for? Go. They need you.”

Hunter didn’t notice anything unusual in her expression and didn’t think much of it. He turned casually and went to the study. But, of course, he wasn’t going there to work. He only wanted to video call Jennifer.

The next morning, after getting ready, Evelyn made her way downstairs.

“All set? I'll take you to the airport,” Hunter greeted her, holding her hand with a warm smile. His touch felt so natural and intimate.

Evelyn stared at him for a moment before finally speaking. “Can we stop by Balmore University before heading to the airport?

Hunter gave her a puzzled look. “Why do you want to visit BU all of a sudden?”

“I just want to take a look,” she said softly.

Balmore University was where she and Hunter had first met. It was where their story had begun and now it seemed fitting for it to end there.

On the way to Balmore University, Hunter’s phone rang several times. Without needing to guess, Evelyn already knew it was Jennifer’s messages.

During the drive, Hunter’s phone rang non-stop. Evelyn didn’t need to ask—she knew it was Jennifer.

Once they arrived at the campus, Hunter held her hand as they walked through the familiar grounds. Every spot they passed brought back memories of their sweet past together.

Maybe it was the nostalgia that the surroundings stirred, but Hunter squeezed her hand tighter.

“Evie, do you remember this path? This is where you kissed me for the first time,” his voice was filled with longing. “You don't know how happy I was that day. I couldn’t sleep that night. I was over the moon.”