"Your sister had a fight with Antonio. She wants to stay at your place for a while—Tomas already agreed."

"Just go along with it, okay? If not, seeing you will only remind her that you were once engaged to Antonio. You know how she is..."

"But, Mom, why?" I choked up, cutting her off.

"Why what?"

There was a brief pause before my father’s drunken voice came through the phone.

"Sweetheart, I know you still blame us for agreeing to let Camila marry Antonio. But if we hadn’t, the Reyes Family would’ve been finished…"

My chest tightened. I had heard these excuses too many times before.

That wasn’t what I wanted to ask though. I wanted to know—why were they so willing to sacrifice me and hide the truth?

Was protecting Camila, the switched heiress and the Reyes Family’s reputation really more important than their own daughter?

On the other end, my father kept rambling on. It only added nausea to my headache.

"I understand. I’ll do as you say."

The moment I hung up, I rushed to the bathroom and threw up.

Staring at my pale, exhausted reflection in the mirror, I made up my mind. If everyone only cared about Camila, then fine—I would leave.

I went back to the living room and dialed the number of the orphanage director who had once taken care of me.

"Mama Doria, I want to go abroad with you to open a new orphanage."

Then, I responded, after hearing her response, "Yes, I've made up my mind. I can leave with you at the end of next month."

After I was done with the call, I dialed my private doctor's number.

"Don't tell Mr. Graciani about my pregnancy yet—I want to surprise him."

"What surprise?" At that time, the living room door opened just in time for Tomas to hear the second half of my sentence.

"Your birthday is at the end of next month. It's a birthday surprise," I replied calmly.

Tomas's face lit up and he stepped forward to hug me. "Thank you, Samita. You don’t have to do all this. I just want you to be happy every day."

If this had been before, I would have been deeply moved by his words. But now, I just felt cold all over.

"My parents called just now. They told me not to cause trouble during my sister’s pregnancy. Tommy, I’m really upset."

He tightened his arms around me. "Don’t be sad. They mean well. My brother said that ever since Camila got pregnant, her temper has been terrible—he even fled abroad today to avoid her."

I shook my head slightly, my eyes turning red. "I'm not upset about that. I'm just sad… that I can’t give the man I love a child, like my sister can."

Hearing my words, Tomas froze for a moment, a flicker of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Tommy… I've been a burden to you." I bit my lip as my tears slipping down.

Tomas's expression softened again. "Don't think like that, Samita. I told you two years ago—even if you can't have children, I would still love you just the same."

"By the way, I promised my parents that Camila could stay with us for a while. What do you think…?" He phrased it as if he was asking for my opinion, but there was a quiet plea in his eyes.

"Sure, that's fine. I wouldn’t want to put you in a tough spot with your parents."

His face lit up with relief. "Samita, you're amazing!"

I forced down the bitterness rising in my chest and asked, "Amazing how?"

"You're a wonderful wife, a great sister, a good daughter—you’re just good in every way!"

I pulled my lips into a faint, bitter smile.

So, this is what being "good" gets me?

Watching all my family members take Camila’s side? Protecting a criminal? Covering for her while hurting me?

Noticing my slight tremble, Tomas pulled me into his arms, his voice gentle. "Are you tired? Come on, let's get you to bed."

Late that night, after making sure I was sound asleep, he carefully pulled his hand away and slipped into the study.

Tomas had no idea that earlier that afternoon, I had installed a surveillance camera in the study.

On the screen, he held a photo of Camila tightly, murmuring to himself.

"Camila, Anton didn’t leave the country just to avoid you today."

"Why do you only ever have eyes for him? Why do you want to have his child?"

"Today, Samantha told me she wanted to have my child too. I was actually a little moved… She really is a good woman… but she’ll never be you."

"If she could have a baby, maybe I’d love her a little more… But that’s impossible now."

I clenched my phone, my grip tightening as the truth finally sank in.

He did want a child of his own. He did have some feelings for me. And yet, for Camila, he could suppress all of it—even resisting the temptation of having a child with me.

Tomas, since you love her so much, I’d make sure you'd have her.

The next morning, Camila showed up with her people, hauling in bags of luggage as she officially moved into my home.

I glanced toward the kitchen, immediately understanding what was happening. In two years of marriage, Tomas had never once stepped into the kitchen to make me breakfast.

So that was it. Whatever he was making, it wasn’t for me. It was for the woman he truly loved.

At the dining table, Camila took a bite of a shrimp dumpling, then smiled as she held it out to me.

"Sis, how does Tommy not know you're allergic to shrimp?"

She continued after a pause, Ah, well… I guess it’s not surprising. He probably just remembers that I love eating shrimp."

I clenched the spoon tightly, staying silent.

"Here comes the final dish—shrimp and egg omelet!"

Tomas came. He wore heat-resistant gloves while carefully placing the dish on the table.

"Samita, your health has always been fragile. Eat more of this—it’s good for you."

"Tomas, don’t tell me you didn’t know Samantha is allergic to shrimp? Then again, I guess that’s expected. How well can a couple really know each other in a flash marriage?

Camila smirked playfully, while Tomas's face tensed as he turned to look at me.

"I'm sorry, Samita… It’s my first time cooking, so I—"

Before he could finish, a wave of nausea rolled over me. I clamped a hand over my mouth and bolted for the bathroom.

Tomas hurried after me, while Camila leaned lazily against the doorframe, amusement dancing in her voice.

"Tsk tsk, Sis, you look just like I did a few months ago when I was dealing with morning sickness." She continued, "Too bad… that’s not even a possibility for you, is it?"

She was about to continue, but Tomas cut her off.

"Camila, did you struggle with morning sickness too?"

The warmth of his hands on my back suddenly felt uncertain—like at any moment, they might slip away toward Camila instead.

"Exactly! I’ve been through so much for your big brother, yet he doesn’t appreciate it at all. Instead, he picks fights with me!"

Camila huffed in frustration while reaching down to pat her belly.

"Being pregnant is exhausting! So what if I have a bit of a temper? Honestly, I don’t even want this baby anymore!"

Tomas immediately grabbed her hand. "Don’t say that. Once you give birth, this baby will be the future heir of Graciani Industries. Big Brother will be grateful to you."

Hearing that, Camila’s expression brightened and she leaned into Tomas’s arms.

"Samantha, you're so lucky! Tomas is way more caring than Antonio!"

Tomas’s ears turned red and he quickly steadied her. "You’re far along now—you need to be careful."

Noticing my gaze, Camila suddenly clutched her belly and let out a pained gasp.

Tomas panicked, scooping her up without hesitation. "Samita, I’m taking Camila to the doctor."

I said nothing, the weight in my chest growing heavier, more suffocating. Hot tears dripped into the sink.

Tomas, you’re not even trying to hide your feelings for her anymore...

As soon as my parents heard Camila wasn’t feeling well, they rushed over, fussing over her, showering her with concern.

They didn’t ask about me.

Instead, they reminded Tomas and me to take good care of her, even insisting on hiring the best nanny to look after her.

Camila lounged on the sofa like a queen basking in admiration, her voice dripping with smug satisfaction.

"Oh, come on, you all are acting like I’m made of glass just because I’m pregnant. Don’t you think they’re overreacting?"

Before I could respond, Camilla suddenly put on a look of mock regret.

"Oh, I forgot—you can’t have children. You’re not jealous of all the attention I’m getting as the little pregnant one, are you?"

Seeing my expression darken, my parents quickly stepped in, eager to smooth things over.

"Of course not! Samita has always been kind—she loves you just as much as we do."

Camila narrowed her eyes slightly, then turned to Tomas. "What about you, Tommy? Do you love me too?"

Tomas stiffened, clearly caught off guard, his hesitant gaze flickering toward me.

Looking at the people in front of me, all wearing their masks of false affection, I felt nothing but coldness in my heart.

"Of course. Your Tomas sees you as family too, so of course he loves you."

Without another word, I turned on my heel, muttering some excuse as I walked out the door. I had no interest in playing along with their charade any longer.

By the time I returned home after finalizing my plans to leave the country with the orphanage director, it was already past ten at night.

My parents had long since left and the entire villa was dark—except for the faint glow coming from Tomas’s study.

On impulse, I pulled up the security feed for the room. And there she was—Camila, sprawled across his desk, her clothes disheveled, very much awake.

She was supposed to be asleep upstairs.

Camila wrapped her arms around Tomas’s neck, her voice soft and teasing. "So, you married Samantha just to make sure Antonio stays loyal to me?"

She ran a finger down his chest, her tone dripping with seduction.

"You’ve loved me for so many years, yet you ended up marrying a woman who can’t even have children. Tomas, don’t you regret it?"

Tomas’s breath hitched as he turned his head away. "As long as you’re happy, nothing else matters."

Camila didn’t let him escape. She grabbed his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze, then kissed him deeply.

"You’ve been so good to me… I have to find a way to repay you. Tonight, I want to be yours."

Tomas stiffened, caught off guard, but before he could pull away, Camila only smiled, her eyes smoldering.

"Relax… I’m already seven months along. The doctor said as long as we take it easy, it won’t be a problem."

With those words, whatever restraint Tomas had left snapped. He pulled her into his arms and together, they gave in to the moment.

Outside, lightning flashed across the sky, thunder rumbling in the distance.

Just as Tomas reached his peak, a sudden thought struck him. "Samantha is afraid of thunderstorms—I need to check on her!"

He scrambled to dress and rushed out—only to see the soft glow of the bedroom lamp.

I was already fast asleep.

Relieved, he let out a quiet breath, pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead and slipped into bed beside me.

For the next two weeks, he played the devoted husband by day. But at night, he lost himself in Camila’s arms behind the closed doors of his study.

Eventually, Antonio returned home—ready to take Camila back where she belonged.

When Antonio saw me, a flicker of surprise—maybe even admiration—flashed in his eyes.

He asked if I’d been doing well these past two years, then sighed, almost apologetic.

"It’s not that I didn’t care about you," he said. "But for the sake of the family’s reputation, I had no choice. I hope you don’t hate me."

BANG!

The bedroom door flew open as Camila stormed down the stairs, her heels clicking furiously against the floor.

"Antonio, I forgive you! Go upstairs and start packing my things—I’m going home with you."

The moment Antonio was out of sight, her sweet facade dropped.

She turned to me, her face twisted with malice. "Samantha, you pathetic leftover—you really think you can compete with me for Antonio?"

I turned to leave, refusing to engage, but that only enraged her further.

She lunged forward, grabbing my arm so tightly that her nails dug deep into my skin. "I actually thought you had some luck in you. Even as a discarded woman, someone was still willing to take you in."

She let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "But it turns out, Tomas never even loved you! Isn’t that just pathetic?" Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she twisted the knife deeper.

"So what if you were engaged to Antonio first because you’re the ‘real’ daughter of the family? In the end, he still married me, didn’t he?"

She then leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper.

"Listen to me, Samantha—so long as I exist, no one in this world will ever love you. Not Dad. Not Mom. Not Tomas. Not Antonio."