Chapter 2 Only Feel Responsibility toward Her

Emma's POV

I walked into Reynolds Jewelry headquarters precisely at 8:30 AM.

"Morning, Emma!" Jessica greeted.

I nodded, glancing toward Gavin's office at the end of the corridor. Through the frosted glass, I could see him in what appeared to be an intense meeting.

"Who's he with?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Board members," Jessica whispered. "Been in there since seven. Something about investment priorities for the new collection."

I turned back to my computer, but my concentration was shattered. I pulled up the hospital photo again, then stared at the unknown number that had sent it. Who would be watching Gavin? Who would care enough to warn me? I tried reverse-searching the number but found nothing. I even checked my recent calls and contacts, wondering if someone I knew had used a different phone. Nothing matched.

Whoever sent this photo knew exactly what they were doing. They wanted me to see Gavin with Sophia, to know he had lied. But why? Was it someone who cared about me, or someone who wanted to create trouble?

At noon, Gavin's office finally emptied. I gathered several documents that required his signature and walked the long corridor to his corner office, rehearsing what to say, how to remain calm.

I knocked twice before entering.

"Emma." Gavin barely glanced up from his computer, his expression neutral.

"These need your signature," I said, placing the folder on his immaculate desk.

I watched him sign each page methodically, then asked casually, "How did yesterday's emergency company situation go?"

His hand paused almost imperceptibly. "Fine. Just resolved some minor issues."

"So urgent that you needed to handle it personally? Must have been important," I continued, watching him closely.

Gavin shifted slightly, his fingers tapping on the desk. "Just some investors with concerns about certain terms. Nothing major."

"Did you select a wedding dress?" he asked, clearly trying to change the subject.

"Yes," I replied evenly. "Though I had hoped you'd be there to see it."

He offered a perfunctory smile. "I trust your taste. You'll look beautiful in anything."

I took a deep breath and placed my phone on his desk, displaying the hospital photo. "This is yesterday at 1:15 PM, Boston General Hospital."

Gavin's face transformed—shock, then anger flashing across his features. "How did you get this photo?"

"Anonymous text," I replied. "Someone thought I should know the truth. Do you know who might be following you, Gavin? Or did you tell someone else about your real plans yesterday?"

His eyes narrowed. "Who sent this? This is invasion of privacy!"

"That's what concerns you?" I asked incredulously. "Not the fact that you lied to me about where you were going? Not the fact that you abandoned our wedding dress appointment for Sophia?"

"You don't understand the situation," he said, his tone hardening. "Don't jump to conclusions."

"Then explain," I challenged. "Why did you lie to me? Why say you had a company emergency when you were actually taking Sophia to the hospital?"

Gavin stood, his posture defensive. "Sophia is Lucas's widow. She's carrying his child and has no one to help her."

"So that's your reason for lying to your fiancée?" I asked. "Why couldn't you just tell me the truth?"

His voice rose slightly. "I knew you would misunderstand, exactly as you're doing now."

"What am I misunderstanding, Gavin?" I kept my voice steady. "I'm only asking why my fiancé couldn't be honest with me."

"Sophia wasn't feeling well yesterday," he explained. "Her doctor insists on regular checkups. I'm just fulfilling my promise to Lucas."

"So your promise to your brother is more important than your commitment to me?" The hurt in my voice was unmistakable.

Gavin paced the office restlessly. "It's not about comparison, Emma. This is about responsibility."

"Isn't honesty to your fiancée also a responsibility?" I countered. "Yesterday, you could have told me the truth instead of fabricating a work emergency."

He began showing signs of impatience. "If I had told you I was going to pick up Sophia, would you have understood? Or would you have made a big deal out of it like you're doing now?"

His words stung deeply. "So caring about honesty in our relationship is 'making a big deal'?"

"You're jealous of a pregnant widow who lost her husband," he accused. "That's incredibly immature, Emma."

I was shocked by his accusation. "I'm not jealous of her. I'm hurt that you would lie to me and abandon our important moment for her."

Gavin laughed coldly. "It's just a wedding dress. We can go another day."

"It's not about the dress!" My composure finally cracked. "It's about your attitude! That wasn't just a dress fitting—it was the beginning of our life together."

"You're being too emotional," he interrupted. "This kind of thinking is petty."

"Petty?" I felt like I'd been slapped. "Because I expect honesty from my fiancé?"

As Gavin turned away in frustration, I noticed a folder on his desk labeled "S. White - Prenatal." My heart sank further.

"You didn't just drive her to the hospital," I said quietly. "You stayed for her appointment."

Gavin quickly slid the folder under other papers. "Yes, Lucas is gone. She needed someone there."

"Did the doctor assume you were the baby's father?" I asked directly, watching his reaction.

His hesitation told me everything.

"There was some misunderstanding," he admitted reluctantly. "But I clarified it."

"Your concern for her goes beyond normal family obligation, Gavin," I said, feeling a dull ache in my chest.

"You don't understand what it's like to lose a spouse," he argued. "Especially while pregnant."

"I lost both my parents, Gavin," I reminded him quietly. "I understand loss better than most."

He looked momentarily flustered. "This is different..."

"Yes, it is," I agreed sadly. "Because you've never shown me the same level of concern you show her."

"You're being ridiculous," he snapped. "What are you implying about me and Sophia? She's my brother's wife, for God's sake! That kind of thinking is disgusting, Emma."

I flinched at his harsh words. "I didn't imply anything. I'm just questioning why you'd lie to me about helping her."

"Because look at how you're reacting!" He gestured angrily. "You're turning a simple act of family responsibility into something sordid. It's beneath you to think this way."

I took a calming breath. "Gavin, we've been growing more distant lately. Have you ever wondered why?"

"We're just busy," he dismissed. "That's normal."

I shook my head. "No, it's because your attention is elsewhere. I need to know—what does Sophia mean to you?"

"She's just Lucas's widow," he insisted. "I only feel responsibility toward her, nothing more. I can't believe you'd think otherwise. It's repulsive."

I held his gaze. "Then why would you lie to me to be with her? We've been engaged for two years, but you've grown increasingly cold toward me."

He looked surprised. "You're mixing unrelated issues."

"I hope you'll really think about what's happening to our relationship," I said firmly.

"There's nothing wrong," he replied irritably. "You're complicating a simple situation with your twisted imagination."

I looked at him sadly. "Maybe we need some time and space to think."