7
It was the old Mr. Hawthorne’s birthday, and Caleb had to return to the family estate for the celebration. Ir previous years, it was always a private family affair, and I was never invited. But this was his grandfather’: eightieth, a grand banquet, and Caleb insisted I accompany him.
An event like this required a formal gown. Caleb had bought me many, but they were inconvenient for a quick getaway, so I’d already sold them at a discount on the secondhand market. Only one remained- wine-red dress that hadn’t found a buyer.
It was from a time when I was much thinner, and the waist was incredibly tight. Squeezing into it was a stru ggle, and it made my lower abdomen bulge slightly. I consciously sucked in my stomach, terrified Calet
would notice.
Everything was going fine until the toasts. A group of children, roughhousing, came running in our direction on a direct collision course with my belly. I instinctively took a step back, forgetting to hold my breath.
Caleb’s little niece ran right up to me, placing her small hand on my stomach. “Auntie Chloe,” she asked ir her sweet, childish voice, “your tummy used to be flat. Why is it poofy now?”
Caleb’s hand, holding his wine glass, froze. His gaze dropped to my stomach.
t was too late to suck it in now; it would be too obvious. I bent down slightly and explained to the little girl, ‘ Because the food at the party is so delicious, Auntie ate a lot and got a food baby.”
But the little girl shook her head, her expression serious. “No, it’s not.”
‘Auntie, you have a baby in your tummy.”
A hush fell over the nearby tables. All eyes turned to us.
As if to make sure everyone heard, her voice rose to a near-shout. “It’s true! I’m not lying! There’s a baby mov ing in Auntie’s tummy! It just kicked my hand!”
Panic flared in my chest, but I kept a pleasant smile on my face. “There’s no baby in Auntie’s tummy,” I cooed “When you eat a lot of food, your tummy has to work to digest it. Of course it’s going to move around.”
The little girl was about to argue further, but thankfully her mother swooped in and whisked her away.
The excuse was plausible enough. I thought I’d managed to smooth things over, but when I turned back, I found Caleb studying me with a thoughtful, penetrating gaze.
16.20
Chapter 1
“Kitten, if I remember correctly, you haven’t had your period in three months, have you?”
My funds were secured. I was leaving tomorrow. I couldn’t let things fall apart now.
I forced myself to remain calm, nodding nonchalantly. “That’s right. You know my cycle has always been irre-
gular.”
Fearing another question would expose everything, I faked a small hiccup. “Wow, I’m so full. I need to go for a walk to digest.”
Caleb couldn’t join me. A line of people was waiting to toast him, and he had to work the room.
I wandered alone in the estate’s sprawling gardens. As I walked, my eyes were drawn to a lit window on the third floor of the main house. It was a wing that had always been empty before, but tonight it was brightly
illuminated.
Two maids carrying trays of food were walking and chatting.
“Mr. Caleb is so attentive to that Miss Song. He’s worried she’ll be hungry, so he’s having all her favorite dish es sent up.”
‘And for someone as busy as him, he even remembered she’s allergic to seafood. He specifically told the
kitchen not to use any.”
‘With the new girl here, I guess Miss Bell is on her way out, huh?”
‘Probably. That Song girl is only nineteen, a blank slate, easy to mold. Miss Bell is twenty-two now. Mr. Calet
has had her for years; he must be bored by now.”
stood hidden behind a large sycamore tree. They didn’t see me as they continued their conversation, head
ng towards the third floor.
sniffled, a strange sense of melancholy washing over me. Caleb didn’t even try to hide his affections. Ever
he staff could see he had a new girl in his heart.
A voice cut through the silence from behind me.
Miss Bell. Since Caleb has a new favorite, why don’t you consider coming with me?”
