Chapter 2The Script Ends Here

Sitting at the table, eating the sandwich I’d made for him, I felt like I was chewing on cardboard.

The universe really is a jerk.

If I had remembered the book, I would never have chased him. Knowing he was destined to love someone else and still pinning for him? That’s just pathetic.

If I had just "arrived" in this body this second, I’d file for divorce immediately and cut ties with him and his drama.

But it’s been 22 years. I’ve "simped" for this man for 22 years. I really did love him.

Preston was special to me.

I always thought he loved me back. Maybe not as deeply as I loved him, but I thought I was the only one. The "unique" one.

That’s why I was able to chase him for so long.

And now the "Script" tells me he doesn't love me and has a soulmate?

What’s the endgame? To kill me?

The housekeeper opened the door and walked in. Seeing me, she asked, "Ma'am, what would you like for lunch? I’m going to the store."

Something clicked. I stood up. "Maria, make some of Preston’s favorite dishes. I’m dropping lunch off at his office."

"You got it."

"Get it ready. I have to run an errand first."

I drove my red sports car out of the driveway and headed straight to the hospital.

My period was a week late. Usually, I wouldn't worry—I’ve never been regular.

But with my memory back, I remembered a specific plot point.

In the original story, Araminta had a baby, but she didn't know it.

She went to the office to find Preston and saw Sunny tying his tie.

Actually, it was innocent. Sunny had accidentally spilled coffee on him, and Preston—who had spent his life having Araminta tie his ties—didn't know how to do it himself. Sunny was just helping.

But book-Araminta didn't know that.

She went nuclear. She grabbed Sunny by the hair and raised her hand to strike.

Preston didn't let her. He grabbed Araminta and shoved her away.

That shove caused a miscarriage.

The loss of the baby turned Araminta’s hatred for Sunny into an obsession.

Preston felt a flicker of guilt, so he transferred Sunny out of the secretarial pool to another department.

But that "separation" wasn't for Araminta’s sake. It was to make their "forbidden love" grow stronger. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all.

I drove steadily toward the clinic.

Preston and I had been married for two years. We always used protection. We had a silent agreement not to rush into parenthood.

I didn't know what he was thinking. For me, I just wanted a few more years of "us."

I arrived at the hospital.

Numbly, I registered at the OBGYN department.

Then came the waiting, the doctor, the tests, the results.

Two hours. My mind was a blank void for two hours.

The doctor looked at the chart. "The results are in. You’re definitely pregnant."

My heart gave a small tremor. I instinctively touched my stomach. A tiny life was actually in there. A child. Mine and Preston’s.

It was an unexpected joy, but right now, all I felt was lost.

"Do you plan on keeping the baby?" the doctor asked.

I snapped my head up. Keeping it? What kind of question was that?

But... it was a question.

Because I hesitated.

It wasn't until I reached the hospital exit that I snapped out of my daze.

Looking at the crowds passing by, I took a deep breath and got into my car.

22 years of history. Two years of marriage. And now a baby.

I wasn't going to let a "plot" sentence my life to death.

Preston, please. Don't let me down.

When I got home, Maria had the lunch packed.

"It’s so rare to see a couple as in love as you two," she said, smiling. "It’s enough to make me jealous."

In the past, I would have beamed with pride. Now, I couldn't even force the corners of my mouth to move.

The drive to Sterling Corp took thirty minutes. I arrived exactly at noon.

The receptionist knew me. No appointment needed. I took the private elevator straight to the 32nd floor.

The first person I saw was Ethan, Preston’s executive assistant.

The moment he saw me, his face stiffened. A flash of panic crossed his eyes before he smoothed it over.

"Mrs. Sterling! What brings you here?"

I gave a tight smile. "Where’s Preston?"

"The CEO is in his office. Let me go tell him—"

I grabbed his arm. "No need. I’ll surprise him."

I didn't come here often, but I knew the way.

I walked to the heavy double doors of the executive suite and pushed them open quietly.

The office had beautiful lighting. At high noon, the sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling glass, bathing the room in warmth.

In the glow of the light, I saw them. A man and a woman sitting at the desk. Between them were two cute, matching bento boxes. They were sitting incredibly close, eating and chatting.

The girl said something, a bright smile on her face.

The man looked up, listening intently.

Maybe it was the sunlight, but the man looked exceptionally gentle. A kind of gentleness I had never seen from him before.

Terrified that I was misreading the scene, I pulled out my phone and hit the camera app.

Click!

I "tsked" softly. Dammit, I forgot to silence the shutter. I ruined the moment.

The two of them looked up, completely startled. For a few seconds, they just stared at me, frozen.

Seeing that look on Preston’s face actually gave me a bit of pleasure.

I couldn't help it. I let out a short laugh.

Preston’s brows furrowed. He looked at me with a face that screamed "annoyed."

Ah, Preston. You really know how to hurt a girl.

Sunny Vance turned pale and jumped to her feet.

She moved too fast, knocking over the container of soup.

"Ah!"

The hot liquid splashed onto her legs. She cried out in pain.

Preston reacted instantly. He stood up and pulled her back away from the spill, his hands steady on her shoulders.

I turned and walked away. I didn't want to see the rest.

I’m a woman of dignity. I wasn't going to do something "untidy" like the version of me in the book.

Ethan was standing behind me, looking like he wanted to crawl into a hole.

I shoved the lunch bag into his arms. "You eat it."

Ethan looked terrified.

I didn't leave the building. Instead, I walked over to the secretarial pool.

As soon as I walked in, several secretaries stood up. They all knew who I was.

"Which one of you is Sloane?" I asked.

A woman with a sharp, glamorous look stood up, looking nervous. "That’s me, Mrs. Sterling. Is there something you need?"

I pulled a business card from my bag and handed it to her. "I’m very interested in the 'files' you have. Call me."

Sloane looked stunned.

By the time I walked out of the secretarial bay, Preston was already standing there.

I smoothed my expression and walked past him as if he were a ghost.

He wasn't going to let me go that easily. He grabbed my wrist.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Let go," I said.

Maybe my tone was too cold—I’d never spoken to him like that before. Preston’s grip tightened.

"Ara, don't start."

I took a long, slow breath. "Preston, let go. I don't want to talk to you right now. Don't be a jerk."

Preston’s face darkened. His eyes were smoldering with frustration.

I didn't back down. I looked him dead in the eye.

Araminta Montgomery was never a "sweet" girl. I only acted that way because I loved him.

Now, I realized there was no point.

I wrenched my hand free and walked out of the building without looking back.