I stood before the small grave, gripping the single white rose in my trembling hand. My unborn child—buried beneath the soil, nameless, lifeless.
And beside me, Elijah played the role of a devoted husband.
His hand rested on my lower back, steady, warm. His face was the perfect mask of grief. To everyone else, he was a heartbroken man, mourning the loss of his child.
But I knew the truth. He was the reason my baby was gone.
A few close friends and relatives lingered, whispering condolences. Their words faded into the background, blending with the soft rustle of the wind.
Then I saw her. Beatrice. She moved through the crowd effortlessly, her black dress hugging her body, her long curls cascading down her back. Elegant. Confident. Cruel.
She walked straight to Elijah.
And then—
She kissed him.
It wasn’t long, just a soft press of her lips against his.
But it was enough. Enough to make my stomach twist.
She pulled back with a small laugh, her fingers brushing his chest. “Oh, Victoria… I’m so sorry. Just a muscle memory.” She tilted her head, smiling. “I got used to it when we were together.”
Elijah didn’t react. Didn’t even flinch. There was just a smile formed in his lips as if he enjoyed the kiss.
Beatrice turned to me, her expression carefully composed.
“I just heard about what happened. I wanted to say my condolences since I was also around.”
I forced a smile. “Thank you.”
The words tasted like poison.
I turned to Elijah. “I want to go home.”
He exhaled, as if my request was an inconvenience.
“Actually, I was thinking we could visit the orphanage today.”
I blinked. “What?”
“The adoption process takes time. It’s better if we start now.” He turned to Beatrice, his voice lighter now. “Since Beatrice knows her way around, she can come with us.”
Beatrice looped her arm through his, her lips curling. “I’d love to help.”
I wanted to say no. I wanted to scream.
But instead, I nodded. “Of course.”
The car ride was suffocating. I sat in the backseat, staring at my hands, while Beatrice and Elijah took the front.
They didn’t bother pretending. Soft laughter. Whispered words. Stolen glances.
They acted like I wasn’t even there. I could feel my nails digging into my palms, but I refused to break.
Instead, I let my mind wander—to a time when Elijah had been someone else.
The bar was crowded, the scent of liquor thick in the air. I swirled my drink, barely listening to the conversations around me.
Then—a rough hand on my arm. I turned sharply, my pulse spiking as two men towered over me, their smirks dripping with bad intentions.
“Pretty thing like you shouldn’t be drinking alone,” one of them slurred.
I tried to pull back, but the grip tightened.
Fear gripped my throat.
Then—
“Let her go.”
A low, controlled voice.
Elijah. He stepped between us, his presence sharp, dangerous. The men hesitated, then backed off without another word.
I exhaled, still shaken, as I looked up at him.
“You okay?” he asked.
And just like that, I fell.
Elijah had been my hero. He had been my world. He had promised to love me.
But now? Now he sat in front of me, flirting with another woman—the mother of his child.
I forced myself to stay silent as the car pulled up in front of the orphanage. The moment we stepped out, children rushed toward us, their eyes bright with hope.
I swallowed hard, watching as small hands reached out, as innocent faces looked up at us.
But before I could even process it—
A little girl broke free from the group.
She ran straight to Elijah. Her voice was clear, excited.
“Daddy!”
The world tilted. I stopped breathing.
“Oh, daddy! That’s good to hear. I mean,” he coughed as he turned to me. “This child must know, Victoria, that we are looking for a child. Don’t you think she was a fit for us?”
Before I could say a word, Elijah bent down, catching the child with practiced ease. His arms wrapped around her without hesitation, holding her tightly.
Like instinct. Like love.
And in that moment, I knew. This was their child.
Beatrice smiled, resting a hand on Elijah’s arm. Everything inside me shattered.
My husband had a whole other life. A whole other family. And I had never even known until they killed my baby.
