Chapter 8
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Melanie Sinclair glided toward him in a white mermaid gown, every inch the fairy-tale princess.
She presented his birthday cake with a dazzling smile.
For a moment, Marcus saw a different woman emerging from sunlight.
She draped her arms around his neck, swaying to the soft melody.
They moved closer with each step until her body pressed against his.
"I know I shouldn't feel this way," she whispered, "but I can't help it. I've fallen completely in love with you."
"I was such a fool before. It's always been you—only you."
She cupped his face in her hands, rising on her toes.
"Let me be selfish one more time?"
Her lips captured his in a deep kiss.
"I love you just as much as she ever did."
Sister?
Natalie Sinclair…
Marcus pushed Melanie away, suddenly cold.
He'd promised Natalie they would celebrate their birthdays together every year.
But this year, he'd broken that promise—forgotten her birthday entirely.
He called her repeatedly on the drive home. Nothing but voicemail.
Dread coiled around his heart like a vise, tightening with each unanswered call.
He burst through their front door to find emptiness.
He tore through the apartment to their bedroom.
Her perfume still haunted the silent room.
"Natalie?"
Nothing but hollow echoes answered.
The divorce papers on the bed brought instant tears to his eyes.
He called her number until his phone battery died.
Only then did it hit him—Natalie Sinclair had erased herself from his life.
His strength evaporated. His knees buckled, dropping him beside the bed, where a discarded package peeked from the trash.
He reached for it with trembling hands.
A small card fluttered to the floor.
"Happy birthday to my beloved husband! Here's hoping for a baby soon to complete our perfect life!"
His hands shook as he charged his phone and called his friend.
"She's gone."
His friend's voice hardened.
"And you're surprised?"
"Did you ever consider she heard everything that day?"
Marcus froze, blood draining from his face.
"What are you talking about?"
Seconds after hanging up, a video appeared on his phone—security footage from the banquet hall showing Natalie standing just feet away during his entire conversation.
"She heard every damn word."
Marcus dropped the phone. He poured another drink with shaking hands, tears streaming unchecked down his face.
