I spent the entire day avoiding Alexander.

I played with the children on the beach, read them stories, and tried to act normal, but every time he looked at me, I felt the weight of the secret crushing my chest. The rose-gold collar suddenly felt like a chain instead of a symbol of love.

He knew something was wrong. Of course he did.

That evening, after the children were asleep, he found me on the balcony overlooking the ocean. He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, hands resting on my pregnant belly.

“You’ve been quiet all day, babygirl,” he murmured against my ear. “Talk to...