Chapter 2

MICHIGAN POV

"Are you mad? Why Clara?" Damien yelled at me.

He has been pacing about since I told him that Clara would be the one to carry his child. He hasn't been happy since then.

"This is worse than having a stranger carry our child. Why choose your sister?"

"Damien, please listen to me. Clara will be the perfect mother to carry your child. She has agreed to do this for us," I tried to explain to Damien, but he wouldn't listen.

He kept ranting about his reputation and how foolish my plan was.

"This will be a disaster to my image."

"Yes, that's all that you'll be thinking about. Your image, your reputation... Have you ever stopped to think about me? About what I'm going through?" I asked, getting teary.

"Three times I've lost my pregnancy. Have you ever wondered how people look at me when they hear that I lost another child? Do you think I don't have a reputation like you?"

"Michigan, it's not like that."

"I'm trying to give you a child, so you won't be a laughing stock in people's eyes anymore. If I'm thinking more about my reputation, I won't even think of this. I am doing this because I... I love you," I said, feeling heaviness in my heart, accompanied by tears.

Damien pulled me into his arms for an embrace, apologizing for acting the way he did.

"I don't want an outsider having our baby. I don't want a situation where she'll want to take the child from us. But this is my sister and she's ready to help us. If Clara does this it's more safer," I explained, trying to pull myself together.

"I'm sorry my love. I won't hurt you again, I promise. If that's what you want, then fine. I will go ahead with your plan," He agreed.

.

After having Damien's consent in my plan, I brought Clara over to stay with us.

Clara is my only sister and sibling. I've watched over her after our parents died, leaving us both to fend for ourselves.

Her education has been in my care for a long until the day Damien came into my life.

I trust Clara more than myself. I know my sister will never betray me nor run away with the child when it's time. She's preferable to a stranger I know nothing of.

Damien and Clara don't usually relate. Well, it's mostly Damien who doesn't like to be around her.

I had to pull them both together, so they could be fond of each other and prepare themselves for the big night. 

And my plan worked out fine.

Damien and Clara were able to pull this off. My husband finally gave in and spent a night with Clara in her room, having Intimacy with her.

I know it sounds displeasing to the ears, but I still felt it was better than hearing the moaning of a stranger with my husband.

"Everything will work out fine. We'll have a little joy bringer, running around and filling everyone's heart with happiness." I fantasized about the image of a child running around Damien and I. 

I just can't wait to hear the cry of a baby.

. 

Some days later, after the night Damien and Clara slept together, I had planned to head out with Damien for a special shopping.

This was for the preparation of the news ahead. I just didn't want to waste time or let the happiness flowing in me, go to waste.

But when I asked Damien, he suddenly said he had a meeting to attend.

"But I thought you don't attend office work on Thursdays?" I reminded him.

"I can't ignore this Michigan. It's very important," He said, leaving the house. 

He didn't even kiss me on the head like he always does.

Seems the work is really important.

Since he wasn't available, I asked Clara to join me instead, but my kid sister also turned me down.

"I need to see a friend. She's traveling this afternoon, so I need to be there for her, " She said, leaving as well.

To go out alone killed the passion that had been driving in me. I had no choice but to cancel the plan for that day.

"Maybe some other time when Damien is free. Probably next week," I decided, feeling upset about the failed plan.

As time went by, I began to notice a new side in Damien and Clara. Both of them now moved about together. 

They were now relating better than ever.

This brought a smile to my face because I remember when Clara would object to staying over with Damien and I, but later agree to do so, saying it was because of me.

But now she has no reason to run away from my husband. They now relate better.

One afternoon, I came into the living room to find Clara's head on Damien's lap.

This left a sudden spark in my heart, which I immediately wiped out of me.

I walked over to Damien and sat with him, placing my head on his shoulder to feel my husband's presence.

"Gosh, I need to check for these papers, " He said, rising from the couch and up the stairs.

Soon after, Clara went upstairs, saying she was tired and needed to sleep. 

I was all alone.

Things are no longer the same. Something has changed and I couldn't point out what it was or where. But I could tell it was between Damien and I.

Lately, he hardly stays around me. He's always focused on work.

"Could the company be having loads of work this month?" I asked myself.

But my answer was given to me one fateful day.

"Michigan," Damien called me while I was in the room, arranging our bed.

"Yes, dear?" I turned over to answer him.

"Once you're done with that, move down to the guest room."

"Why? Is there something you want me to get?" I asked, looking confused.

But his response shocked me next.

"You'll be staying there from now on. Clara will be staying with me, " He said.

"What?" My eyes widened at my husband's words.

I should leave my room for my sister.

My heart is shattered when I see Clara stepping into my room like she owns it. She immediately got into bed and lay comfortably.

"Can you excuse us, please?" Damien said, showing me the door.

My heart dropped.

Never in my wildest dreams did I picture my own sister taking my place in my own home?