The Chef's Lie, Her Scars

arpent

om for discussion. "It's important. Face time. They need to see we're still 'united' before the Golden Spoon."

ly constructed mask of comp

ectation and control. Collin, ever the perfect son, played his part flawlessly. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close, his smile dazzling, his whispers

The clink of crystal, the hushed conversations, the scent of expensive perfume – it all felt distant, unreal.

int of disdain, a quiet judgment that I wasn't "one of them." I was Emma Carpenter, the creative talent who brought their son money and prestige,

ove, a convenience. My presence, a necessary prop in his elaborate tableau. He wasn't just leading a do

and sharp, in my mind. This

nd undoubtedly expensive) crimson gown, stood framed in the doorway, her eyes wide with

e are you doing here?!" His hissed whisper was laced with pure, unadulterated rage

rough her usual facade. "I... I just wanted to see you, C

e, stepped forward. "And who, may I ask, is this... young woman?" He

mered, pulling away from me

ing with a shrewd, calculating light. "She's carrying Collin's twins,

room plunged into a

f color. "Father! What

nces. But twins? Now that's a development. The Sweeney line must continue, after all."

save his reputation. "Emma, darling, please. This is a misunderstanding." He reach

e, a flicker of triumph, then a sudden, sickening vulnerability. "He promised me, E

face dark with fury. "Casey

sion. She looked at Casey, then at me, her gaze cold and assessing. "Blood,

air felt thick, suffocating. I felt a cold detachment, watching

ollin. "You need to sort this out, son. Immediately. Thi

ith tangled strings. "I... I will. I promise." He turned back to Casey, his voice an attempt at soothing,

. but I'm carrying your child

d, his patience wearing thin.

gard for anyone's feelings but his own, was sickening. I felt

through the strained silence. She clutched her stomac

face pale with alarm, rushed to her side. His pa

, his voice laced with genui

I'm losing them, Collin! T

ed a car! Now! To the hospital!" He looked at his parents, then at m

he rushed out of the room, Casey clinging to him, whimpering. He was terrified of los

each other, then at me. His mother' s l

ng. "It is," I said, my voice shockingly calm, cl

ing point. His parents stared at me, their faces

suddenly quiet room. "I want a formal separation. Effective immediately." I looked at his paren

ce a mask of horror. "Emma! No! You can't!" He started to put Casey down, moving towa

After everything? After openly flaunting your mistress, your 'fragile' mistress carrying yo

, her eyes wide with fear. "Collin,

ross his mind. He looked at Casey, his eyes suddenly hard, calculating. "You and your 'babies' are a liability, Casey. A comp

her stomach, her face white

k I'm stupid, Casey? You think I don't know what you're doing? You think I don't k

wn her face, but she looked genuine

. "Emma, please! Don't do this! We can fix this! We can still win the Golden Spoon! We are a team!" He pl

asey, sobbing on the chaise lounge, betrayed and discarded, stirred a strange mix of pity and a cold, h

no anger, no pain. Only a profound, liberating emptiness. "No, Collin," I said, my voic

in. As I walked toward the exit, I heard Collin's frantic shouts, Casey's desperate sobs. But