Chapter 3 The sound of the immigration officer typing echoed through the quiet hall . " Everything will be processed within two weeks , " the officer said , handing Marissa her documents . " Please be patient . " Marissa thanked them softly and walked away . Back home , she opened the closet and began packing , piece by piece . Each item felt like tearing open an old wound . The shirt - she gave it to Matt on his birthday . He wore it when they watched the sunrise from the mountain . The scarf - she stayed up all night knitting it . He used to say it smelled like her . In the drawer , two expired concert tickets still lay there . It was raining that night , and they spent hours curled up on the sofa , listening to records . Marissa's hands trembled slightly , but she didn't hesitate as she tossed everything into the trash bags . As the sky darkened , she dragged the last bag toward the door , only to hear familiar footsteps outside . The door opened . Matt stood there , supporting a very pregnant Leah . " Mr. Holloway , don't forget to come by later , " Leah said sweetly , her eyes glancing meaningfully at Marissa before she strolled off toward the guest room . " Marissa , " Matt stepped closer , lowering his voice , " Leah's due any day now . The doctor said she shouldn't be left alone , so … I'll be staying in the same room to keep an eye on her . 0.00 % 22:52 Chapter 3 " But don't worry , " he added quickly . " Nothing will happen between us . He braced himself for Marissa to cry or lash out ; he'd even rehearsed what to say to calm her down . But to his surprise , she simply nodded calmly . " Do whatever you want . " Matt was taken aback , then let out a breath , a faint smile tugging at his lips . " Just one more month . " Marissa didn't respond . She just turned and walked toward the bedroom . That night , Matt moved all his clothes and personal items into the guest room . Leaning against the doorway , Marissa watched him move back and forth , and for a moment , it felt like he was slowly pulling himself out of her life . In the dead of night , a knock suddenly echoed . Marissa opened it to find Leah , with a bulging belly , standing there smugly . " Marissa , Mr. Holloway forgot the stretch mark oil he bought for me . He's going to help me apply it later , so I came to grab it . " A sharp pain shot through Marissa's chest , Didn't Matt say Leah was just a surrogate ? Then why was he personally taking care of her stretch marks ? She turned and took out the bottle from the drawer , her fingers trembling slightly as she handed it over . Leah took it but didn't leave . Instead , she looked at Marissa up and down . " Married to Mr. Holloway for five years and still couldn't give him a child . I got pregnant on the first try . Doesn't that make you feel … inferior ? " 22:52 Chapter 3 H Marissa looked at her calmly . " You know better than anyone how that baby really came to be . " " So what ? " Leah shrugged with a smug smile . " Sure , I stole the condom you and Mr. Holloway used after sex . But now ? I'm carrying the only heir to the Holloway family . And you ? You've got nothing . " She stepped closer , lowering her voice . " You know what I hated most about you ? That superior look on your face , like every time you helped me , it was some kind of charity . But now , I've finally crushed you under my heel . Once this baby is born , you'll never be able to beat me . " Marissa had no interest in hearing another word . She reached out to shut the door , but suddenly , Leah threw out her arm to block it , then flung herself backward with an exaggerated scream . " Ah ! " Before Marissa could even react , Matt came rushing over , immediately scooping Leah up from the floor . " Marissa ! " He looked up at her , eyes full of disbelief . " Didn't you say earlier you'd try to hold it together ? " " I didn't push her , " Marissa said calmly . " She threw herself down to frame me . " " She'd risk her own baby just to set you up ? " Matt's voice suddenly rose . " Do you believe that ? " It was the first time he had ever yelled at her . Marissa's eyes burned , but she stubbornly lifted her chin . " I swear I didn't . If you don't believe me , let's check the corridor cameras . She reached out to grab Matt's arm . 57.80 % 22 52 Chapter 3 " Enough ! " Matt shoved her aside . " Stop bullying her ! " Caught off guard , Marissa fell backward , hitting her head hard on the door frame . Sharp pain exploded , and warm blood flowed from her temple . But Matt didn't spare her a glance . He bent down and gently lifted the still - pretending , groaning Leah into his arms . " Don't worry , I'll call our private doctor right away . " Then he walked away , his figure disappearing at the end of the corridor . Marissa slumped to the floor , then suddenly laughed softly . Her broken , trembling laugh , mixed with tears , echoed in the dead , silent corridor .