CHAPTER 1 — The Perfect Pregnancy
For weeks, Nathan believed Vanessa was carrying his child.
Every morning, before leaving for work, he kissed her forehead.
Then he knelt beside her.
One hand resting gently on the small curve beneath her dress.
"Take care of our little one," he whispered.
Vanessa smiled softly.
"I always will."
Nathan had never imagined himself becoming a father.
His childhood had been lonely.
His own father had spent more time chasing money than raising a son.
Nathan had sworn that if he ever had a child...
He would be different.
Present.
Patient.
Loving.
And now...
He believed that chance had finally arrived.
His office slowly transformed.
The framed business awards disappeared.
Family photographs replaced them.
A small pair of white baby shoes sat beside his computer monitor.
His assistant noticed immediately.
"I've never seen you smile this much."
Nathan laughed.
"I guess people really do change."
Across town...
A delivery truck stopped outside the mansion.
Nathan personally carried every package inside.
A crib.
A rocking chair.
Tiny blankets.
Stuffed animals.
Vanessa watched from the staircase.
One hand resting protectively on her stomach.
"You shouldn't be carrying all that yourself."
Nathan smiled.
"I want to."
"This is for our baby."
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
For just a second...
Something flickered across her face.
Guilt.
Then it disappeared.
That evening...
Nathan spread blueprints across the dining table.
"The nursery."
Vanessa looked down.
He had planned every detail.
Soft colors.
Bookshelves.
A reading corner.
Even a skylight so their child could fall asleep beneath the stars.
Nathan looked genuinely excited.
"What do you think?"
Vanessa forced a smile.
"It's perfect."
He reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
"I've waited my whole life for this."
She quietly looked away.
The Hartwell family gathered every Sunday for dinner.
Nathan's mother, Evelyn, immediately embraced Vanessa.
"How's my grandbaby?"
Vanessa smiled warmly.
"Keeping me exhausted."
Evelyn laughed.
"That's how you know everything's healthy."
Nathan kissed Vanessa's cheek.
"You've been so strong."
Across the table...
Only one person remained silent.
Ethan.
Nathan's younger brother.
Ethan wasn't smiling.
He wasn't celebrating.
He simply watched.
Vanessa noticed.
Their eyes met for a brief second.
She quickly looked away.
Nathan caught the exchange.
"What?"
Ethan shrugged.
"Nothing."
Nathan frowned.
"You've barely spoken all night."
"I'm just tired."
Nathan accepted the answer.
Vanessa didn't.
She kept stealing nervous glances toward Ethan throughout dinner.
Later...
As everyone enjoyed dessert...
Nathan pulled out his phone.
"I have something to show everyone."
He opened a picture.
The nursery.
Finished.
Beautiful.
Everyone smiled.
Everyone except Ethan.
Nathan laughed.
"Come on."
"Say something."
Ethan looked at the photo.
"It's nice."
Nathan sighed.
"That's it?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know."
"Maybe congratulations."
Ethan looked at his brother.
"I'll congratulate you..."
"...when the baby arrives."
The room became awkwardly quiet.
Evelyn immediately scolded him.
"Ethan!"
"What kind of thing is that to say?"
"I'm just being honest."
Nathan's face hardened.
"You owe Vanessa an apology."
Ethan calmly looked toward Vanessa.
"I'm sorry..."
"...if I made you uncomfortable."
Vanessa nodded politely.
"It's okay."
But beneath the table...
Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.
After dinner...
Nathan and Ethan walked into the garden.
The night air was cool.
Nathan broke the silence.
"You've been acting strange."
Ethan looked toward the dark trees.
"Have I?"
"You don't believe Vanessa."
Ethan answered honestly.
"I don't know what I believe."
Nathan frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means..."
Ethan chose his words carefully.
"...something doesn't feel right."
Nathan laughed softly.
"You're overthinking."
"Maybe."
"But answer me one question."
Nathan crossed his arms.
"Go ahead."
"When was the last doctor's appointment?"
Nathan blinked.
"What?"
"The pregnancy."
"When was her last appointment?"
Nathan hesitated.
"I..."
He searched his memory.
Vanessa usually went alone.
She always said he was too busy.
She always came home with reassuring words.
"The baby's healthy."
"The doctor says everything's fine."
Nathan realized something.
He had never actually met her obstetrician.
He quickly pushed the thought away.
"She went last week."
Ethan nodded.
"Did you go with her?"
"No."
"Did you see the doctor?"
"No."
"Did you see an ultrasound?"
Nathan's confidence weakened.
"She showed me pictures."
Ethan asked quietly,
"Original pictures?"
Nathan frowned.
"What are you trying to say?"
Ethan looked directly into his brother's eyes.
"I'm not saying she's lying."
"I'm saying..."
"...you've trusted everything you've been told without ever asking questions."
Nathan's voice sharpened.
"She's my wife."
"I trust her."
Ethan nodded.
"I know."
"And I hope you're right."
The next morning...
Nathan left early for work.
As soon as his car disappeared through the gates...
Vanessa's expression changed completely.
The warm smile vanished.
She hurried upstairs.
Locked the bedroom door.
Opened the walk-in closet.
She reached behind a row of designer dresses.
Hidden inside was a large white storage box.
She carefully lifted the lid.
Inside...
Lay several medical support garments.
Foam padding.
Elastic straps.
And one incredibly realistic silicone pregnancy belly.
Vanessa gently touched it.
Then looked toward the bedroom door.
No one had seen.
No one knew.
At least...
That's what she believed.
Because outside the bedroom window...
Parked across the street...
Ethan lowered the camera in his hands.
He hadn't seen what was inside the box.
But he had seen enough to know one thing.
Vanessa was hiding something.
He quietly started his car.
And for the first time...
He made a decision.
May you like
He wasn't going to guess anymore.
He was going to find the truth.
