I Fell Where His Love Favored Another

Half a month into our cold war, I, Claire Parker, found an abortion procedure slip tucked inside Daniel Carter's suit pocket.

The patient's name belonged to the fragile little childhood sweetheart he had always protected so fiercely—Sophie Bennett.

I folded the paper calmly and slipped it back where I had found it.

Daniel noticed the movement immediately. His eyes flicked toward me through the rearview mirror, resignation coloring his voice.

"What are you overthinking now? Sophie was just keeping a friend company at the hospital. She accidentally left it there."

I turned toward the window and said nothing.

This was Sophie declaring war on me, yet the man who could crush competitors without mercy in the business world believed her completely.

The silence inside the car grew suffocating until Daniel finally stopped outside an upscale jewelry boutique.

He reached over and ruffled my hair with easy familiarity, his tone indulgent and affectionate.

"Come on. Pick out a ring. Your birthday's next month anyway, so we might as well register our marriage too."

I bit down hard on my lip as tears fell soundlessly onto the back of my hand.

What he still didn't know was that I wouldn't live long enough to see next month.

......

"This pink diamond would look perfect against Sophie's skin tone. Please bring it out for me to see."

Daniel's voice rang through the VIP lounge without the slightest hesitation, as though this were the most natural thing in the world.

He lounged on the sofa, long fingers tapping lazily against the glass display case.

The sales associate froze for a second, her gaze darting awkwardly between him and me.

"Mr. Carter, this pink diamond is one of our signature pieces. It's usually purchased as an engagement ring. Are you certain you'd like to view this one?"

Daniel frowned slightly, impatience threading through his voice.

"Bring it out. Sophie has a charity gala next week. Her dress needs something strong enough to carry the look."

He said it so casually. So matter-of-factly.

I sat quietly beside him when a violent cramp suddenly twisted through my stomach.

Instinctively, I bent forward, clutching the fabric of my dress as cold sweat slid down my forehead.

Daniel noticed immediately and glanced over.

His eyes lingered on my face for two seconds before he sighed.

"Claire, are you upset again?"

He reached over and tucked the loose strands of hair behind my ear with practiced ease, helplessness lacing his tone.

"Didn't I already tell you? We're getting married next month. Sophie's like a little sister to me. She's always been fragile, and she's been through some rough things lately."

He paused, effortlessly burying the truth behind that abortion slip.

"Taking extra care of her is only natural. You're about to become Mrs. Carter anyway. Can't you be a little more understanding?"

I looked up at him, at the confidence written all over his face.

He was certain I would never leave him. Certain that the title of Mrs. Carter