Chapter 3 - Playing the Part
Two weeks later, the invitation arrived in the mail. It was a delicate cream card with gold foil lettering inviting us to a naming ceremony for baby Leo. There was no father listed on the card, just Valerie’s name, with my mother’s address as the host. Derek was sitting on the couch when I opened it and tossed it onto the coffee table. When I cheerfully suggested we both go because it would mean a lot to my mother, Derek shifted uncomfortably. He played the part of the reluctant husband beautifully, claiming it might be awkward since he didn't know Valerie well. “Please? For me?” I urged, touching his arm. He sighed heavily and agreed.
The day of the party, my mother’s house was decorated in pale blue and white, bustling with caterers carrying silver trays of champagne. It looked like a celebration of a family—just not mine. I walked in wearing a stunning red dress, wanting to be visible and unbroken. Valerie was holding the baby in the center of the living room, glowing with the pride of new motherhood alongside our beaming mother. When they saw me, their smiles faltered for a fraction of a second before my mother offered a stiff hug. I walked over to Valerie, who clutched the baby a little tighter, a strange, triumphant glint in her eye. She wanted the barren sister to hold the child she had created with my husband.
“Do you want to hold him?” Valerie asked. I agreed, and she passed the warm, light infant to me. He stirred in his sleep, his tiny hand grabbing my finger. For a moment, the room faded. It was just me and this innocent little life who didn’t ask to be born into this mess of lies. Then Derek walked into the room and froze when he saw me holding his child. Our eyes met, and I smiled warmly at him. “Look, Derek,” I said, my voice carrying over the chatter. “Doesn’t he look just like family?” Derek swallowed hard, and my mother stepped in quickly to take the baby away, nervously claiming he needed rest. I stepped back, dusting off my dress. I had played my part perfectly; they had no idea they were dancing on a trapdoor.
