Daniel lowered his voice, smug. “Exactly. Two kids and no husband. She’ll grab onto anything that looks like a fresh start.”
My stomach twisted. My children—Noah and Lily—were asleep in the next room, excited for the ceremony. They had practiced walking down the aisle and sprinkling petals.
Daniel had promised we were becoming a real family.
Carol’s voice turned sharp. “And the house? Your father says don’t marry her unless the property is protected.”
Daniel replied confidently, “Relax. I already talked to a lawyer. The prenup makes sure everything I own stays mine. If she ever leaves, she walks away with nothing.”
Ryan laughed. “Add something about the kids. You don’t want to pay for children that aren’t yours.”
Daniel snorted. “Don’t worry. I’ll get her to sign something after the wedding.”
They all laughed.
Like my life was a joke they’d already won.
I stepped away from the phone slowly. Every memory of Daniel helping Lily with homework, cooking pancakes for Noah, rubbing my shoulders after work—suddenly felt fake. Not love.
A plan.
Then Carol said the words that shattered any doubt.