What Blooms From Burned Love

Suri didn't even remember leaving the hotel. In the car, the driver asked, "Mrs. Jerkinson, heading home?"

"Home?" She glanced at her ring. That place wasn't home anymore. "Take me to Specter Law Associates."

It was late when she got back. The second she stepped inside, the sight hit her like a slap.

Bruce had brought Julie home.

He was bent over her belly, grinning. "Julie, the baby just kicked me."

"Really? That means the baby loves Daddy and can't wait to meet you."

They looked like husband and wife already.

Suri froze in the doorway, chest so tight she could barely breathe.

"Mrs. Jerkinson, you're back?" one of the maids called out.

Bruce shot up, quickly stepping away from Julie.

"Suri! Where've you been? It's our fifth anniversary—why didn't you go to the hotel?"

The panic on his face said it all. He had no clue she'd already been there. No idea she knew everything.

"Suri, let me introduce you. This is my cousin, Julie. Her husband passed recently—left her and the baby. My parents asked me to take care of her, so... I brought her here."

Julie smiled sweetly, like butter wouldn't melt. "Hi, Suri. I'm Julie—Bruce's cousin."

Suri just stared, numb. Julie was pretty. Early twenties. Kinda looked like her, but younger. Fresher.

Suri clutched the divorce papers, chest aching too hard to speak.

She hadn't thought he'd actually bring Julie home.

His excuse? A joke—but he said it like it was nothing.

"What's that? A follow-up from the fertility clinic?" Bruce reached for the papers.

Julie suddenly gasped, "Ah! Bruce, the baby kicked again! Maybe it's hungry?"

He dropped the act instantly. "Really?" He turned to help her toward the dining room.

"I had the maid make your favorite panna cotta..."

Julie leaned into him. "But now I really want licorice root tea."

"You're pregnant. Don't drink too much tea—it's bad for the baby."

"It's not me—it's the baby!"

"I'll grab it now!"

Bruce darted for the door, then glanced back at Suri.

"Suri, want some too?"

She blinked, lips trembling. "I... I'm allergic to licorice."

Bruce froze, then finally said, "Sorry, Suri. I forgot. I'll be right back. Oh—and here, your anniversary shell. I was late 'cause I had to dive for this one. Total struggle!"

He shoved the shell into her hand. It looked cheap. Obvious fake. How had she never noticed?

"Hey, Bruce," she said with a smile. "Your cousin's eight months pregnant, right? Crazy... If that girl you slept with hadn't lost the baby, she'd be eight months too. What're the odds?"

Bruce went pale. He grabbed her hand, panicked. "Suri, come on. She's my cousin, seriously. We've always been close. Don't overthink. I'm just getting her tea—I'll be right back."

The door clicked shut behind him.

Suri let out a bitter smile.

Once someone starts lying, it takes a thousand more to keep it going.

She wasn't sticking around for that. She had to go.