Chapter 5

Arlene's POV

He always believed Serafina, no matter what.

I scooped up my daughter and hopped into a cab, the memories from my past life flooding back like a bad dream—

Back in college, Serafina had whispered to Caspian that I was some kind of slut, messing around with a bunch of guys.

"Caspian, I hate to badmouth Arlene, but... I saw her going in and out of hotels with different dudes."

"She's probably just jealous of me. Ever since you and I got together, she's been gunning for me."

And Caspian bought it hook, line, and sinker.

He never even asked me about it.

Never gave me a chance to explain.

From then on, in his eyes, I was just a jealous, scheming tramp.

But the truth?

Those "guys" were my part-time coworkers—we were inventorying stock at that "hotel," which was actually a budget motel chain.

Serafina spotted us, twisted it all up, and fed the lies to Caspian with extra drama.

I'd tried to set the record straight once, but he shut me down.

"Arlene, save your excuses. Serafina wouldn't lie to me."

In Caspian's world, her words were gospel. Mine? Just desperate bullshit.

In my past life, Serafina accused me of killing my own daughter, and he believed that too.

He threw me in prison, letting the whole world brand me as a "baby killer."

Meanwhile, Serafina got her happy ending—marrying Caspian and living the high life.

Night fell.

I finished feeding my little girl and rocked her to sleep.

Just when I thought the day was finally over, she started coughing like crazy.

Her tiny face turned beet red, her breaths coming in short, ragged gasps, her lips going blue.

Panic hit me hard.

She was wheezing desperately, every inhale a struggle.

I didn't even grab a jacket—just bundled her up and hailed a cab straight to the ER.

"Doctor! Doctor! My baby's having trouble breathing!"

The on-duty nurse took one look and yelled, "Dr. Hale!"

In the emergency room, a guy in a white coat strode over quickly.

He took her from me, did a fast check, and jumped into action with the resuscitation gear.

That's when my phone buzzed.

It was Caspian.

I hesitated, but picked up.

"Arlene!" His voice was pure rage and venom. "You happy now? You killed my kid with Serafina!"

I glanced at the resuscitation room where my daughter was fighting for air, and a cold laugh bubbled up inside me.

"Your kid's dead, so now you remember to call me?"

"You've got some nerve!" he roared. "You vicious bitch! Why does your brat get to live while mine dies?"

I froze for a second, then burst out laughing.

"Caspian, do you even hear yourself?"

In my past life, after our daughter died, he and Serafina carried on like nothing happened.

They threw a lavish engagement party, paraded around like a power couple, as if my baby had never existed.

"Caspian Valcour," I said, slow and deliberate, "you're beyond help. I already told you—I didn't poison anything. Believe what you want. I don't have time for your meltdown."

I hung up.

The resuscitation room door swung open.

"She has congenital lung hypoplasia," the doctor told me. "Did you know about this?"

"Lung hypoplasia?"

"Yeah. It could be tied to stress during pregnancy." He looked at me with concern, no judgment in his eyes—just kindness. "She'll need ongoing treatment and follow-ups."

I stood there, stunned.

Pregnancy stress...

It all came rushing back.

During those months, Caspian ramped up his affair with Serafina. They'd make out right in front of me, like I was invisible.

One time, in a downpour, Serafina called saying she'd left something at my place and needed me to drop it off.

I waddled over with my big belly, braving the rain to bring her an umbrella.

When I got to her door, she and Caspian were inside, going at it.

She cracked the door with a smirk and said, "Thanks, Arlene. Don't catch a cold out there in the rain."

"I'm sorry..." Tears streamed down my face. "It's my fault... I did this to her..."

"Don't beat yourself up," the doctor said gently. "She's young— with prompt treatment, she can live a normal life like any other kid."

I wiped my eyes hard and nodded.

He pulled out a business card and handed it over.

"I'm Cornelius Hale. Call me anytime if you need help."

I took the card and glanced at it—

Wait.

Hale?