After He Jilted Me, I Married Someone Else

Chapter 2

I donated the wedding gown and the pink diamond ring to charity. I might as well rack up a little good karma on his behalf.

With the paperwork squared away, I made a beeline for a baby store, itching to start spoiling the tiny life kicking in my belly. After a while of browsing, my cart was overflowing with baby gear. I bent down to inspect a sleek new stroller when a syrupy voice floated from the entrance.

"Alistair, look! Aren't these strollers just adorable?"

I straightened up. Alistair was strolling in, his arm draped over Ruby's shoulders. He froze for a heartbeat at the sight of me, then a grin spread across his face, as if he'd been expecting this all along.

"I knew you had a soft heart," he said, striding over and eyeing the mountain of stuff in my cart. "All this for the baby?" He plucked a pacifier from the pile, and a flicker of tenderness softened his features. "You're thoughtful, but these are all newborn sizes. The baby's already outgrown that stage."

Ruby sidled up, her gaze landing on the dark gray stroller beside me, and her eyes lit up. "Oh! This model! I had my eye on it for ages the last time I was here. It glides like a dream. I was just about to snag one myself."

Alistair chuckled. "In that case, Kiara, if you're so keen on gifting, just get this one. It's practical, and the baby's mother adores it."

I didn't bother with them. I pushed my cart toward the checkout counter.

Ruby scurried after me, waving a clerk over to pluck the dark gray stroller off the display. She set it down beside the register.

The cashier scanned item after item, then paused when she reached the stroller. "Will you be paying for this one too?"

Without lifting my head, I said flatly, "I didn't pick that. Whoever's buying it can pay."

The smile on Ruby's face stiffened for a moment. She didn't say a word, but that wounded, about-to-burst-into-tears expression was more than enough to make Alistair's brow furrow.

His voice dropped, heavy with irritation. "Kiara, you came all the way here to secretly buy gifts for the baby. So why are you putting on this act now? We're about to be a family. Soon our money will be shared. Why make things so ugly?" He turned to the cashier. "Add it to her total."

I let out a bitter laugh, utterly furious, and shoved the shopping cart aside. "When did I become part of your little family? It's my money, and I'll spend it on whoever I want. I'd rather toss it to street beggars; I wouldn't waste a cent on you two. Do I make myself clear?"

Alistair's face darkened. Ruby's eyes instantly brimmed with tears.

She stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. "Kiara, please don't be mad. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so greedy about the stroller. Please, don't fight with Alistair..." She crowded into my space, and that sickly-sweet perfume of hers flooded my nostrils.

My stomach heaved violently. I clapped a hand over my mouth and bent double, dry-heaving.

Alistair's face changed instantly. He rushed over and held my shoulders. "What's wrong? You've always had a weak stomach. Did you eat something bad again?"

I shook off his hands and pushed myself upright against the checkout counter.

Ruby remained silent, her gaze slowly traveling over the newborn-sized baby clothes in my cart before landing on my still-flat belly. Something flickered in her eyes.

Her voice dropped to a low, probing whisper. "Kiara, that reaction... are you pregnant?"