His Secret Baby…or Someone Else’s

Chapter 3

Eden’s POV

It’s in the divorce terms. Page four. The house is Mr. Kane’s sole ownership now.” He adjusted his glasses casually; his statement had completely shattered me. “Mr. Kane retained ownership of the house, and the divorce clause relinquishes your claim to the residence.”

I blinked at him, trying to understand. “So… I don’t live here anymore”.

He looked down, clearing his throat. He looked uncomfortable. “Correct. I—”, he hesitated. “I’m sorry, Miss. Truly. I just follow orders.”

I should’ve screamed. Cursed him. Cried.

But all I could manage was a nod.

Because deep down, I think I’d known. The moment I saw Julian kiss that woman at the hotel. The moment he looked at me like a stranger. I knew I had already lost my home. A home that we built together, a home where my clothes were still upstairs.

I mean, Julian ended everything with just the lawyer and the papers.

I had lost my marriage and my place in this world. Reading that document was the last thing on my mind, and even if I saw the clause, I would have still signed it anyways.

Julian’s actions are what I am still struggling to come to terms with but not anymore.

He didn’t love me. He didn’t want me but I’m not going to be sad over this man.

I watched the lawyer walk out of the house quickly. His polished shoes clicked against the tiles I had once picked out with Julian, back when we were excited to get our first home together. He paused at the door and glanced at me with something like pity.

But he didn’t utter a word. He just stepped out, shutting the door gently behind him.

And I stood there in the silence. A silence so loud it pressed against my chest and made my heart ache.

Just like that, three years are gone.

All I had left was a suitcase, a nearly dead phone, and whatever scraps were left in my personal bank account. I didn’t know if I had enough for a month. Maybe two.

I pulled my suitcase behind me and stepped outside without looking back.

The world felt too big now. Too loud. Like I didn’t belong anywhere.

I didn’t even know where to go. A hotel? A co-worker’s couch? A cheap Airbnb?

Then I suddenly remembered that I worked at the hotel. So I decided to check into the hotel where I worked.

I didn’t go to work for some time. Luckily, I had already planned my leave to stay with my husband for two days but I knew I was still on thin ice and it worried me.

I didn’t even take a cab to the hotel. I walked, dragging the suitcase behind me. The doorman didn’t recognize me in my hoodie and worn sneakers. I didn’t blame him. I barely recognized myself either.

The staff dorms smelled like cleaning solution and burnt coffee. My suitcase was placed under the metal bunk bed in a room I shared with a night shift dishwasher named Mia.

“This one’s yours,” Mia said, tossing her uniform onto the top bunk. “It’s got the better spring support. Just don’t scream if the roaches say hi.”

I managed a weak smile. “Thanks.”

It was the best I could afford. Sure, with the little I had in my personal account and the employee discount, it was barely manageable. No one offered me a proper suite, and no manager stepped in to make things easier. I was still technically the lead pastry chef but I was demoted in dignity, not title, especially after what happened with Julian.

Mia didn’t ask many questions; she just shrugged.

I just lay on the bed not saying anything after that.

***

“Today is a new day,” I whispered to myself as I stood in front of the mirror in the dim staff room, pulling my apron tight. The words felt hollow coming from my mouth, like something from a cheap self-help book but I needed them. I needed to remind myself that there was still something left to fight for, even if it was just a shred of dignity.

Mia was still snoring loudly and mumbled something about pancakes in her sleep. I chuckled and managed to drag my feet out of the door.

Hours had passed. I had already baked a lot of pastries and I began measuring flour and cracking eggs for the next batch. I let the motions soothe me. Baking had always been an escape. The world outside could do whatever it wanted, but here I was the master of my craft.

“Eden!”

I jolted, startled by the shout from the manager.

I looked up and saw him waving from across the room. It took me a second to regain my composure as I tried to focus on the task at hand.

“Eden! Your special is ready,” the manager shouted, sounding more impatient. “Mr. Kane specifically asked for you to serve it.”

I felt my stomach drop. I didn’t even have to look up to know who he was talking about.

Julian.

I gritted my teeth and walked over, carrying the dessert in my hands like a precious treasure.

I looked at him for a moment. He looked exactly the same: the perfect jawline, a tailored black suit, and the subtle shimmer of his Rolex catching the warm lighting.

“Here you go, Mr. Kane,” I said, forcing the words out.

He didn’t even look at me at first, instead continuing his conversation with his girlfriend, Chloe. But when he turned his eyes on me, they were cold, calculating, and full of something I couldn’t quite place.

Chloe glanced up, her lips curling into a sly smile. “She was good, you know, based on what you told me. A decent employee, but let’s be real, she could never keep up with someone like me,” she said, her voice dripping with arrogance.

“I’m glad I listened to my mother”, Julian added staring at me. “Chloe is everything I need. A woman who understands what it takes to be with someone like me. A woman who knows how to use what she’s got.”

The words hurt me deeply but I pressed my lips together, forcing my breath to stay even.

“You know,” he continued, his words sharp. “I was a fool for even considering you. I never knew you would pull a stunt like this. You’re just a gold digger, after all. Always looking for something to latch onto. You can’t survive without me, Eden. That’s the truth”.

I swallowed hard, refusing to let him see the pain. I wasn’t his to ridicule anymore. I wasn’t anyone’s.

Chloe leaned into him with a wide smile. He didn’t stop her.

I turned to leave. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me crumble.

But then it happened.

A sudden, sharp jab at my heel. My ankle twisted and I stumbled forward. I didn’t realize when my hand touched the edge of the tablecloth as I tried to balance myself.

Time didn’t slow. It just collapsed.

With a loud shhhhhhrip, the entire tablecloth came flying down, along with everything on it.

A crash. A splatter of cream and glass. And then-

Thud.

I hit the floor on my knees as the tablecloth landed over me. The dessert I’d so carefully made slid down my shoulder, raspberries smearing red across my apron like blood.

I heard gasps, laughter, and the clicking sounds of phones. Someone took a photo.