I Love You Both

The next morning at breakfast, I finally broke the silence. "Kieran, can I choose not to have children?"

He set down his silverware, his gaze locking onto mine. "We've been preparing for over a year. Why the sudden change of heart?"

I avoided his eyes, feigning a worried frown. "I just landed a massive project, and having a baby now would derail my career. I'm afraid I can't..."

"Your career is irrelevant," he cut in, his voice cold. "I'll get you the best medical team."

A suffocating silence fell over the dining room.

I summoned my courage again and asked, "What if I insist on not having a child?"

Kieran's eyes darkened, a flash of alarm flickering across his face before he quickly regained his composure. "We've done all the tests. Your body is perfectly suited for childbirth."

"My health is one thing, but I have the right to decide what happens to my body and my career."

"Macy, don't get any funny ideas. You're being too sensitive."

"If we don't have children, will our marriage end?"

Kieran repeatedly tapped the tabletop with a ringed finger, his eyes like chips of ice. "What's gotten into you today? Why are you asking these strange questions?"

"I... I'm just scared."

Seeing my distress, he reluctantly reined in his threatening tone and tried to soothe me. "Stop overthinking things. The family dinner in a few days will be a good chance for you to relax."

I forced a smile and asked, "Will Isabella be there too?"

"Yes. Why do you bring her up?"

"The way she looks at me... it unnerves me."

"She's an innocent and kind girl. You should try to get along with her."

The words were on the tip of my tongue. An innocent and kind girl? Right. An innocent girl who schemes with her lover to dupe another woman?

However, I didn't say it. There was no point in showing my hand now.

I left the dining room before the tears could fall.

As soon as I was alone, I immediately made a call. "Chloe, we need to meet."