Chapter 4Sunk the Boat, Never to Meet Again

The pen slipped from my fingers, leaving a long, black gash across the page.

Gideon’s father stared, then his face broke into a grin of pure elation.

“Really?”

“We just found out. She’s two months along.”

“The timing… the baby will be born right around the time Jamie passed. It must be a sign from heaven.”

Tessa appeared in the doorway, her head bowed. “Sienna… I’m so sorry.”

My father-in-law had already forgotten I existed. He rushed to Tessa’s side, taking her hand. “My dear girl, come, sit down.” He beamed. “Two months! Gideon, you’ve finally done something right!”

I stood frozen, a roaring in my ears.

Two months. Jamie passed away just over two months ago.

Of course.

Gideon walked over and wrapped his arms around me in a gentle embrace.

“We can raise this child as our own,” he murmured. “It’ll be easier for you, don’t you think? You won’t have to suffer so much.”

I looked at him, and for the first time, he seemed like a terrifying stranger.

The three of them chattered excitedly about the new baby. No one noticed as I folded the agreement, tucked it into my purse, and walked out.

That night, I packed my things.

I had burned all of Jamie’s photos, keeping only a single small negative hidden in my phone case.

But the bell was still on that cat. I had to get it back.

I walked out of my room and saw Tessa standing in the doorway of what used to be Jamie’s nursery, holding Mochi. The room was empty now, and she was directing movers to bring in a large cat tree.

“This will be Mochi’s new playroom,” she said, smiling sweetly when she saw me. “You don’t mind, do you, Sienna? Gideon said it was a shame to let the space go to waste.”

I saw the bell, my son’s bell, tossed carelessly into a nearby trash can. My nails dug into my palms.

“Oh, by the way, there’s something else I forgot to tell you,” she continued, her voice syrupy. “Don’t blame Gideon. That day, Jamie and Mochi both started coughing up blood at the same time. The vet said they both needed the medication immediately.”

Her words hit me like a physical blow. Gideon had told me he hadn’t noticed Jamie was coughing up blood.

“Gideon agonized over it for a long time,” Tessa purred.