Chapter 4

By the time Caleb remembered he still had a wife, I had already moved into my new home and begun preparations for my upcoming wedding.

Without me in his life, he seemed to feel an unprecedented sense of ease. He spent his days indulging Rebecca, helping her fulfill youthful dreams she couldn't achieve due to her circumstances. They went on trips together, and Caleb couldn't resist sharing their adventures on social media: "As long as you're by my side, even doing nothing feels like happiness."

I had begged him so many times to take me to see the Northern Lights in Alaska, but he always used work as an excuse to refuse. Yet now, a photo of him and Rebecca kissing under the auroras had become her new profile background.

As Rebecca's belly grew, so did her ambitions. The life they shared wasn't enough for her anymore.

"Caleb," she said softly, resting her hand on her stomach, "can you really bear to let our child grow up carrying the label of a bastard? Don't you want to hear him call you 'Dad'?"

She paused, her voice laden with emotion. "Think about what Ethan said to you before he passed. He made you promise to take care of me forever. How am I supposed to raise this child on my own? How could you betray Ethan like that?"

Initially, Caleb resisted her pleas. But Rebecca was persistent, wrapping him in her soft, manipulative charm. Slowly, his resolve began to waver.

"But what about Emily?" he hesitated. "Both of our families already received the wedding invitations. Do you expect me to just call the whole thing off?"

Rebecca traced lazy circles on his chest with her fingertip, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Emily's such an understanding woman. She'll surely see your side of things. Besides, if she's willing, the three of us could live together. She's rich, Caleb. With her support, we could give this child an amazing life."

Caleb, thoroughly convinced, held her tightly in his arms. "You're right. She loves me too much to ever leave me. She'll agree to whatever I ask."

Rebecca laughed, triumphant. "I knew you'd never let me down. Once we're married, I'll make sure you never regret this. I'm so lucky to have you, Caleb. I don't know how I would've survived after Ethan's death if it weren't for you."

Men are so easily swayed by flattery. A few sweet words, and Caleb was already floating, convinced he was the most noble man in the world. But that feeling didn't last. When he stood outside the door of the house, staring at the newly changed lock, his confidence shattered.

"Emily Jensen! I know you're in there!" he shouted, pounding on the door. "Get out here right now! You've got some nerve, changing the locks!"

He slammed his fist against the door again, his voice growing louder. "I'm telling you, the wedding is off! Rebecca's child deserves a father!"

Silence. The house was eerily quiet. His frustration mounted. "Do you hear me? Don't think ignoring me will change anything. If you're really that desperate to keep me, Rebecca and I have already talked about it. We're fine with you staying. The three of us can live together. You just have to pay us two thousand dollars a month for living expenses, and I'll still let everyone think you're my wife. How does that sound?"

Still, there was no response. He rubbed his nose, muttering to himself. "Could she really not be home?"

Pulling out his phone, he dialed my number. After a few rings, I finally picked up. He eagerly repeated everything he'd just said, his voice brimming with confidence.

There was a brief pause on the other end before a casual, teasing voice responded. "My wife's in the shower. Whatever it is, you can talk to me tomorrow."