Chapter 5: The Betrayal Before the Betrayal
I couldn't speak.
My mother sat across from me, waiting for anger.
Waiting for hatred.
Maybe she deserved both.
“My father thought you betrayed him?””
She nodded.
“Why?””
Her hands trembled.
“Because I made a mistake.””
I laughed once.
Everyone had a different word for betrayal.
Mistake.
Secret.
Accident.
As if changing the name made it hurt less.
“What mistake?””
She looked away.
“I wasn't faithful.””
The room went silent.
My heart dropped.
“My father knew?””
“Yes.””
“And Cole knew?””
Another pause.
That pause was becoming a language.
“Yes.””
I stepped back.
“No.””
My mother cried.
“I’m sorry.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“You don’t get to say sorry anymore.””
She covered her face.
“I was young. I was lost.””
“You were married.””
“Yes.””
“And Dad?””
“He forgave me.””
That surprised me.
“He forgave you?””
She nodded.
“But he never forgot.””
I looked at the letter.
“Who was it?””
She didn't answer.
“Who did you betray him with?””
Her eyes filled.
And I knew before she spoke.
Because suddenly every piece connected.
The secrecy.
The fear.
The way Cole reacted.
“Tell me.””
She whispered:
“Your father’s business partner.””
I stared.
“What does that have to do with Cole?””
My mother closed her eyes.
“Everything.””
I felt the room spinning.
“Explain.””
She wiped her tears.
“Cole is his son.””
I couldn't move.
The words didn't feel real.
My husband.
The man I married.
The father of my child.
Was connected to the person who destroyed my parents' marriage.
“No.””
“Yes.””
“No.””
I backed away.
“Why would you let me marry him?””
My mother looked broken.
“Because I didn't know who he was at first.””
“But when you found out?””
Silence.
That was the answer.
“When did you find out?””
She whispered:
“Two months before your wedding.””
My entire body went numb.
Two months.
She knew.
She knew and let me walk down the aisle.
She watched me promise forever to a man connected to her biggest betrayal.
“Why?””
My voice barely existed.
“Why would you do that?””
My mother cried harder.
“Because by then, Cole loved you.””
I stared.
“Loved me?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did he hide everything?””
She didn't answer.
Because there was no answer that could fix it.
I left.
I didn't scream.
I didn't throw anything.
I simply walked out.
Sometimes pain becomes so heavy that even anger feels impossible.
When I reached Lily’s house, Cole was waiting outside.
I stopped.
He looked exhausted.
“I need five minutes.””
“No.””
“Emma.””
“No.””
He stepped closer.
“I never wanted to hurt you.””
“But you did.””
“I know.””
“Did you marry me because of my family?””
His face changed.
“No.””
“Then why?””
He looked at me.
And for the first time since this nightmare began, I saw something real in his eyes.
Regret.
“I married you because you were the only person who saw me as more than my father's son.””
I said nothing.
He continued.
“I found out the truth about our families after I met you.””
“When?””
“Six months into dating.””
My chest tightened.
“Six months.””
“Yes.””
“And you stayed.””
“I stayed because I loved you.””
“But you lied.””
“Yes.””
The honesty hurt more than another excuse.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
And his expression changed.
“What?””
I watched his face lose color.
“Where are you?””
A pause.
Then:
“No. Don't do that.””
He looked at me.
“Emma…”
I stepped back.
“What?””
His voice dropped.
“It’s your mother.””
My heart stopped.
“What about her?””
Cole swallowed.
“She found something.””
“What?””
He looked terrified.
“She found proof that the kiss you saw wasn’t the beginning of their betrayal.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“Then what was?””
Cole stared at me.
May you like
And whispered:
“The baby might not be the only thing your mother and I have been hiding from you.””
