Emma escaped to the balcony the moment she could slip away unnoticed.
The announcement about the baby—the baby that didn't exist—had turned the gala into a circus. Everyone wanted to touch her stomach, offer parenting advice, share their own pregnancy stories. Caroline was glowing with joy that made Emma's guilt twist tighter with every passing second. And Alexander had been pulled into a conversation with business associates, his expression carefully neutral but his eyes screaming we'll fix this later.
Later. Always later.
Emma gripped the balcony railing and breathed in the cold October air, trying to calm the panic clawing at her chest. How had everything spiraled so far out of control? They were supposed to be playing a role, following a script. Instead, they were tangled in lies upon lies, fake pregnancy announcements and real feelings and a marriage that was supposed to be temporary but felt increasingly permanent.
And she'd told him she was falling in love with him.
