Chapter 2: Breakfast Betrayal and a Secret

— II —

Sitting at the table, eating my own sandwich, everything tasted like cardboard. Damn the universe!

I chewed, staring at the swirling steam from my coffee, the ticking of the kitchen clock suddenly loud in my ears. If I’d always remembered I was living in a book, I’d never have gotten close to Sam Sanders. Why get tangled up with a man destined to love someone else? That’s just asking for trouble.

If I’d only transmigrated today, I’d divorce him on the spot... Yeah, I know—transmigrated, like in those web novels. And cut all ties with Sam Sanders and his messy life.

But it’s been twenty-two years. I’ve been simping for Sam Sanders for twenty-two years. I really do love him.

Sam Sanders has always treated me differently. I always thought he loved me—not as much as I loved him, maybe, but I was still the one and only.

That’s how I managed to chase after him for so many years.

Now you’re telling me he doesn’t love me, that he has a true love somewhere else?

What am I supposed to do with that? Just die?

Just then, the housekeeper came in. Seeing me, she asked, “Mrs. Brooks, what would you like for lunch? I’ll run to the market.”

She had that soft, homey way of speaking, the kind that comes from someone who’s been with the family for years. Suddenly, an idea hit me. I jumped up. “Aunt Carol, make some of Mr. Sanders’s favorite dishes. I’m bringing him lunch at the office.”

“Of course.”

I smiled, watching her move toward the fridge, like she’d been hoping for a project. “Go ahead and start—I’m heading out for a bit.”

“All right.”

I drove my red sports car straight to the hospital. My period was a week late this month, but I hadn’t worried—mine was always irregular. But with my memories back, something from the original story came to mind.

In the novel, Mariah Brooks had a child once, but she never knew. I remember thinking, here we go again. One time, she went to Sam Sanders’s office and walked in on Nina Summers fixing his tie. It was innocent—Nina had spilled coffee on him, and since Sam only ever let Mariah tie his tie, he didn’t know how. Nina had to help.

But Mariah didn’t know that. She went nuts, grabbed Nina by the hair, and tried to slap her. Sam stopped her, shoving her out the door—and that shove made her lose the baby.

Losing the child made Mariah hate Nina even more. Sam, feeling guilty for once, transferred Nina out of the secretarial department. But really, this plot point was just there to bring the main couple closer. Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

I drove steadily to the hospital. Sam and I had been married for two years but always used protection. We both seemed happy to enjoy a few more years as just the two of us. I had no idea what he really thought, but that’s how I felt.

Soon, I was at the hospital. I checked in, waited, saw the doctor, paid, got tested, and waited for results. The whole thing took two hours, and my mind was blank the entire time.

The doctor looked at the test results. “You’re definitely pregnant.”

The room smelled like lemons and antiseptic, and suddenly it felt way too small. My heart fluttered. I unconsciously touched my stomach. There really was a tiny life inside me—Sam’s and mine!

I hadn’t planned on this, but it was a pleasant surprise. Still, I felt completely lost.

The doctor asked, “Are you planning to keep the baby?”

I looked up, startled. Was that really a question? But it was. Because I hesitated.

I didn’t come back to myself until I hit the hospital doors. Watching people come and go, I took a deep breath and drove home.

Twenty-two years of love, two years of marriage, and now a baby on the way. I wasn’t about to let a book’s plot sentence my life to death.

Sam Sanders, please, don’t let me down.