Chapter 2
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Looking at the man in front of me, I couldn’t help but feel the sharp ache in my heart.
I had picked out this house myself.
The design of this room was born from countless sleepless nights, sketching and revising until it was perfect.
When the renovations were finally done, Dario had scooped me up in his arms, doting as ever. “So my darling de- signed our very own wedding suite?”
Blushing, I’d swatted at him, burying my face in his chest as I teased, “Then you have to promise me–no one else is ever allowed to stay in this room!”
Dario had cupped my face, laughing as he teased, “And what if someone else does?”
I’d wrapped my arms around his waist, pouting, “Then I’ll leave you and you’ll have to live alone for the rest of your life!”
Those memories cut deep, every recollection a fresh wound.
Miley came up, clinging to Dario’s arm, looking on the verge of tears.
“Edith, don’t blame Dario. I was the one who thought this room was beautiful and insisted on staying here. If you want to blame someone, blame me!”
Her face was pale, her body swaying as if she might faint. Dario, full of concern, wrapped his arm around her waist, completely forgetting I was even there.
I hadn’t said a word, but he shot me a look, his tone full of reproach.
“It’s just a room, Edith. Why are you making a fuss with Miley over it and upsetting her?”
I almost laughed at the absurdity, but steadied myself, nodded calmly, and turned to leave.
Maybe it was because I wasn’t making a scene like I used to that Dario sensed something was off. He caught my hand, his voice softening.
“Edith, just stay in the guest room tonight, okay? I’ll have the housekeeper clean and redecorate it tomorrow.”
He didn’t say a word about having Miley move out of my room.
I nodded and headed straight for the guest room without hesitation.
Dario followed me down the hallway, and Miley’s syrupy voice floated after us. “Dario, are you going to sleep with Edith tonight?”
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Chapter 2
Her eyes shimmered with tears. “But I’ll be scared if I’m alone.”
Dario stopped in his tracks, torn, looking back at me with a conflicted expression.
Hand on the doorknob, I glanced over my shoulder, a faint smile on my lips and calm in my eyes.
“So, you two usually sleep together?”
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Dario’s face changed instantly. He didn’t dare hesitate any longer; after gently coaxing Miley back to her room, he slipped into the guest room with me.
I shut the door in Miley’s resentful glare.
Honestly, I did it just to spite her.
“Edith, I missed you so much,” Dario said, gazing at me with longing, reaching out to pull me into his arms.
Once, that would have made my heart race. I would have thrown myself into his embrace, pouring out all the longing and loneliness I’d felt overseas.
But now, all I saw was how false and disgusting this man had become.
I dodged his hand, feigning exhaustion, and lay down on the bed.
Dario lay down beside me, guilt written all over his face, and tried to explain. “Edith, I was so busy today. Did you get everything sorted out after the accident?”
I mumbled a reply.
He kept digging himself deeper. “I only see Miley as a little sister. She’s just a sensitive girl, so I try to take care of her a bit more. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
His words were earnest, his tone soothing, as he pulled me into his arms like nothing was wrong.
Suddenly, I remembered that night three years ago.
When I heard he’d found a stand–in for me, I’d lost it–deleted every way he could contact me, convinced it was over.
He’d flown for over 20 hours to appear at my door, looking utterly wrecked.
The moment he saw me, his eyes went red. He hugged me, apologizing again and again, swearing that he just felt sor- ry for Miley, that he only ever saw her as a sister.
He said he couldn’t bear to see a girl who looked so much like me suffer.
That night, he knelt and begged for my forgiveness.
And I believed him.
Even when rumors kept swirling after that, I always had the same answer–I trust Dario.
But this afternoon, Miley’s confidence had come from somewhere real.
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Chapter 2
Beyond that phone call, she’d even shown me an ultrasound.
She was carrying his child.
I turned to look at Dario.
His face was earnest, not a crack in his expression.
Suddenly, I didn’t want to keep up the act anymore. I looked him straight in the eyes, my smile flat.
“Is that so? Then what about the baby she’s carrying?”
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