Chapter 2

Arlene's POV

The door to my hospital room burst open.

Caspian stormed in, hand-in-hand with Serafina Cross. I'd been in labor for a grueling day and night, and he'd ditched me to placate her little temper tantrum.

"Caspian," I said, cutting right to it. "Let's get a divorce."

He froze, staring at me like I'd grown a second head.

"What did you just say?"

"I said, let's get a divorce." I met his eyes calmly. "But the baby's coming with me."

Rowena let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "You're dreaming, girl. That child's a Valcour by blood— what makes you think you can just take her?"

"Because she came out of my body," I shot back, holding my daughter tighter. "I gave birth to her. She's mine to raise."

"You—"

"Arlene," Serafina tugged gently at Caspian's sleeve, her eyes welling up with those fake tears. "Don't be like this... I know you hate me, but the baby's innocent... Just let her stay with the Valcours. They can give her the kind of life no one else can..."

In my past life, I'd fallen for her act hook, line, and sinker—and it got me killed.

On the surface, she was playing the saint, but really, she was broadcasting to everyone: Look how kind I am, and how ungrateful she is.

"Miss Cross," I turned to her, keeping my tone even, "this is between me and Caspian. You're an outsider here—what gives you the right to butt in?"

Serafina's face stiffened for a split second.

"Arlene!" Caspian barked, his voice booming. "Watch how you talk to Serafina!"

"How I'm talking?" I fired back. "Caspian Valcour, who the hell is she? What right does she have to be in my delivery room?"

"She's my—"

"Your what? Your mistress? Your high school sweetheart?" I cut him off. "But she's not your wife. I am."

Caspian's face turned a stormy shade of red.

Rowena snorted from the sidelines. "Getting cocky, are we? If it weren't for Helen forcing his hand, you think my son would've married trash like you?"

"Yeah, you're right—I don't measure up to the mighty Valcours." I nodded, unfazed. "That's why I'm fine with the divorce. But my daughter comes with me."

"No way in hell!" Aldrich finally chimed in, his voice like gravel. "That kid's Valcour blood—she stays!"

I leaned back against the pillows and closed my eyes. "If you won't agree, we'll just drag this out. I've got all the time in the world."

"You—"

"Caspian," Rowena whirled on her son, "is she losing it again? What's her angle this time?"

Rowena's face was pale with fury, Aldrich looked like he could chew nails, and Caspian just glared at me like I was a total stranger.

Only Serafina played it subtle, tugging at Rowena's sleeve.

"Rowena, don't stoop to her level... She's just had a baby, she's wiped out, not thinking straight. You know how she is—if she wants something, she'll do anything to get it..."

Her words carried that hidden barb.

Three years ago, Helen had tried to pair me off with Caspian, but he'd dropped to his knees in front of her, begging her to call it off. He swore he only loved Serafina, that he'd marry her or no one.

Helen wouldn't budge.

That night, I'd found the engagement ring he'd bought for Serafina in my bedroom. In a haze of despair, I'd swallowed half a bottle of sleeping pills.

They found me unconscious, barely breathing.

Helen had a heart attack from the shock and forced Caspian to go through with the wedding.

In their eyes, I'd always be that scheming, desperate psycho.

"Let's drop it for now," Rowena said, waving it off impatiently.

She might've despised me, but she had a soft spot for her own flesh and blood—her grandkid. She wasn't dumb enough to hurt her own legacy.

She stepped up to the bed and peered down at the baby in my arms.

"Looks just like Caspian," she muttered, her lips twitching into something almost like a smile. She reached out and scooped the baby up.

I didn't stop her.

"Such a tiny thing," Rowena cooed, her face softening for once. "Aldrich, come look—those eyes are pure Valcour."

Aldrich leaned in, nodding. "Yeah, she's got the family look."

That's when Serafina edged closer.

"Aw, she's adorable..." She reached out, trying to take the baby from Rowena. "Rowena, can I hold her?"

"No!"

I bolted upright, ignoring the ripping pain in my body, and shoved Serafina back hard.

"You keep your hands off her!"

She stumbled a couple steps, crashing into Caspian.

"Ah—" she yelped, clutching her arm, her eyes instantly tearing up.