Chapter 0312

And now, he didn’t even seem to remember them at all. Sure, we went through the motions of a honeymoon phase for a few months; we had lots of sex, shared pillow secrets, went on dates. But now, looking back, I knew it was all an act. A tactic to keep me happy, keep me obedient until I produced an heir. Or maybe it was his own attempt at forcing himself to love me, never having gotten over Zoe.

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my brooding. “Come in,” I called, sitting up on the bed and smoothing my hair.

Lily poked her head in, Olivia cradled in her arms. Her long brown hair was tied back in a messy bun, and she looked tired but happy. “Up for some company?”

I smiled, grateful for the distraction. “Always. Come here, you two.” Lily settled on the bed beside me, placing Olivia between us. The baby gurgled happily, waving her tiny fists in the air. I tickled her tummy, marveling at how something so small could bring such joy.

“She’s perfect, Lily,” I murmured, gently stroking Olivia’s soft cheek.

“She is, isn’t she?”

I nodded, then bit my lower lip. “The father…”

Lily sighed and waved her hand. “I met him at a gala about ten months ago. I was stupid and slept with him even though we didn’t know each other. Obviously, I never heard from him again; and when I told him I was pregnant, he just asked where to send the child support checks.”

I felt my shoulders slump slightly. “I’m sorry.”

My sister shook her head. “It’s alright. We’re happy the way things are, aren’t we?” she cooed, leaning down to nuzzle Olivia’s nose. But then she turned her gaze to me, her expression growing serious. “So, want to tell me what’s going on with you and Noah? Things seemed… tense earlier.”

I sighed, my hand stilling on Olivia’s belly. I had never been able to keep secrets from my sister, and the weight of everything I had been carrying suddenly felt too heavy to bear alone.

“Oh, Lily,” I started, my voice cracking slightly, “everything’s such a mess.”

Over the next half hour, I poured out the whole story: the coldness of our marriage, the way Noah had locked me in my room, my plans for divorce… the pregnancy.

When I finished, Lily’s face was pale, her eyes fixed on my belly. “You’re… pregnant?”

I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips despite everything. “Yeah. I am.”

My sister gasped, throwing her arms around me and squealing into my shoulder. “Oh, Hannah! I’m so happy for you!” she practically screeched, but then lowered her voice when I quickly shushed her. When we pulled apart, tears were in her eyes. “Olivia is going to have a little cousin,” she finally whispered.

Tears were in my own eyes, too. “Lily, I want to be happy but I just… feel so trapped,” I murmured, my voice thick. “I think Noah is going to use Dad’s financial problems to force me to stay in this marriage.”

Chapter 0313

Then, to my utter shock, he speared a piece of food on his fork and held it up to my lips.

“Here,” he said softly.

I was taken aback, but I couldn’t refuse. I opened my mouth, and he fed me the bite. The flavors exploded on my tongue, but I barely registered them; I was so caught up in the unexpected tenderness of the gesture.

I chewed slowly, my eyes fixed on Noah’s—those green orbs watching me, waiting… softening.

Suddenly, Olivia’s cries pierced the room. Lily, who had been quietly enjoying her meal, started to rise with a sigh, placing her napkin on the table.

However, Noah was quicker. He was on his feet before she could stand, his hands on his hips.

“I’ve got it,” he said confidently, striding over to the bassinet where little Olivia was squirming. “You rest, Lily. You deserve a break.”

Lily hesitated, halfway out of her chair, her brow furrowed. “Are you sure? She probably needs her diaper changed, and…”

Noah shrugged her off. “I can handle it. Really, sit and enjoy your meal.”

Lily and I exchanged twin glances of shock and confusion. Noah, changing a diaper on his own? Was I dreaming?

As Noah left the room with Olivia, I couldn’t help but follow. I hovered in the doorway of the nursery, watching as Noah expertly laid Olivia on the changing table. His movements were practiced and gentle, as though he had done this hundreds of times before.