The Second Marriage Chance

Sarah

"Jakob, that's impossible!" I exclaimed, clutching my forehead as a headache started to form from what my friend had just told me. The room seemed to spin as I tried to process his words. "I have no relationship with Josh! I don't even see him that way!"

I started to pace frantically across the marble floor. My strongest connection with Josh is our friendship, but it's nowhere near as close as what I share with Jakob or Jane.

A sharp pain shot through my lower back, and my stomach twisted painfully. I placed a hand on my swollen belly, trying to soothe both myself and the babies inside me. "No, Sarah. I'm not kidding," Jakob replied, his tone serious.

Sinking onto the plush sofa, legs suddenly weak, "You mean there's no filter on the video? You realize I'm pregnant, right? Besides, Josh is dead!" My voice wavered with concern.

"Oh, right! But look at the date on the video. It says it was captured months ago. It's possible your belly wasn't showing yet, and Josh was still alive. Also, isn't that in Serenity Pines where you and Philip live?" he asked.

His words sank in, making me tremble. The background did resemble our living space in Serenity Pines.

"Please... Please do whatever it takes to remove those videos from the internet! I..." I exhaled heavily, feeling utterly lost and overwhelmed.

"Don't worry," Jakob assured me, "Before you even asked, I've been working on it. I'm doing everything I can to take them down. If any issues arise, we'll assert they are all merely camera tricks. There will be no trace left, I promise. I'll ask Lexi to help speed things up."

Despite not entirely calming my nerves, I appreciated Jakob and our team's support.

After ending the call, I sat in stunned silence for several long moments, my mind racing, before dialing Philip's number.

"Hello..." Philip's voice was emotionless when he answered. My heart clenched, uncertain if he had seen the video or not. Either way, we needed to talk about this immediately.

"Philip, c-can you come home? I need to talk to you. It's urgent!" I said, my voice trembling.

It took a moment before he responded.

"My family saw your video with Josh," he muttered. "It was Alex who alerted me about it."

My heart sank. "Philip, it wasn't me! Please, you have to believe me!" I pleaded, my voice filled with alarm. Suddenly, a sharp movement in my belly made me gasp-one of the twins had kicked strongly as if feeling my distress. My husband's deep, tired sigh came through the earpiece.

"Philip..."

"Sarah, I trust you. You don't have to worry about me. I don't care about what my relatives or anyone else say. Their words don't matter to me... It's just that..." "What is it?"

"Aside from being furious about this whole situation, I'm worried about the consequences," Philip admitted. "And I hate that I had to see that... that sex tape!"

I winced at his words, understanding how upsetting it must be for him to see his wife in such an intimate act with a bodyguard.

"It's not me!" Tears threatened to spill. What about my future? What about my children if they ever see it?

Frantically pacing around the room, one hand pressed against my lower back, the other cradling my swollen belly, I told myself, 'Sarah, calm down! You need to think clearly!'

"I'm here!" I struggled to grasp Philip's meaning. Before I could make sense of his words, the familiar sound of his car pulling up at the front of Serenity Pines Estate interrupted my thoughts. Hurrying out, I reached the foyer just as Philip entered the villa.

"Calm down..." he muttered, frowning. His gaze swept over the living space-the very setting of the damning video now circulating online. I watched his face intently, searching for any hint that he genuinely believed in my innocence. Philip's jaw tightened, his fist clenched at his side. I could see the conflict in his expression as he wrestled between trusting me and the sex tape.

"I won't sit idly by. I need to prove I'm innocent!" I declared, feeling the baby kick in my stomach. Instinctively, I cradled my swollen belly. Damn it! The news only made me feel worse.

Philip's arms suddenly cradled me. I scolded him immediately. "Hey! Your shoulder wound isn't healed yet!"

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Philip's shoulder still throbbed from the deep wound. The weight on my heart grew heavier. We sat on the couch, his arms around me.

I began to explain, "Philip, Jakob said the video had no trace of a filter... H-how did that happen? I didn't sleep with Josh! I'm not crazy enough to do that!"

"Shh," he soothed, his calloused hand warm against my cheek as he stroked it gently. "I know it's not you, Sarah. Does that help calm you down?" Philip asked.

I nodded, placing my hand on my chest as if trying to dispel the breath caught in my lungs. "I just... I can't understand how my face ended up in that video. It doesn't make sense to me."

Philip rested his face on my shoulder, his stubble softly scratching my skin while his warm breath tickled my neck. His familiar scent surrounded me.

"When I first saw it, I was livid," he admitted, "I actually broke the crystal paperweight Jane gave me last Christmas. I shattered it right there in the office."

Softly, a gasp escaped me, attempting to ease the discomfort inside me.

Philip continued, "But once I calmed down, I figured it must be a sophisticated filter or incredibly skilled makeup work. And yet..." His voice trailed off, confusion crossing his face. "What is it?" I interjected.

He looked into my eyes once more, his brow creased in concentration. "During my mother's funeral procession, I could have sworn I saw you there, standing beside an oak tree, just... observing me. It unsettled me so deeply that I called you immediately."

I furrowed my brow at his words. "What? That's impossible, Philip! I haven't set foot outside the Serenity Pines Estate gates in months. Even if I wanted to shop, dine out, or go on a date with you, I couldn't. I've been here keeping my pregnancy a secret!"

"I know, love," he said soothingly, "I had forgotten about that incident until now. But remembering it, especially after seeing this video, it seems like someone has been playing a complex, twisted game with us."

A chill ran down my spine, causing me to shiver despite the warmth of Philip's embrace. "Are you suggesting that I might have a look-alike out there? And what about that replica of Serenity Pines in the video? How could anyone recreate our home so perfectly?"

I didn't dare speak aloud, but watching that sex tape, even I would be convinced it was me.

Trembling, a mixture of anger and fear coursed through me. Instinctively, a protective hand went over my belly, trying to soothe our unborn children.

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Philip spoke sharply, "I suspect Josh might be involved with that woman. He's the only other person familiar with Serenity Pines' layout. This could be his attempt to drive a wedge between us."

His words stung, yet I couldn't dismiss his suspicion. Josh knew the estate very well and was also in the video.

"Are you certain you trust that it's not me in the video?"

He smirked, "Sarah, it's amusing, but I know anything about you. I recognize your moans and your body, even in the dark. You're not her. And her cunt wasn't as appealing either."

"You studied her that closely?" I asked incredulously, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Women differ in size and color down there. I know your body well, even your fingertips."

I didn't know whether to feel proud or flabbergasted-I chose the last and left speechless.

"But who is that woman, Philip?" I asked, curiosity overriding my discomfort.

Before he could answer, his brow furrowed in concern. He glanced down at his leg where I was sitting.

"Oh my God, Philip!" I cried out, gripping his shoulder as pain seared through my hips. Damn it, it couldn't be time yet.

"Ahhh!" My scream echoed through the house.

Forget Josh, Serenity Pines, or the mysterious video! "I... I think I'm going into labor!"

The door burst open as alarmed guards rushed in.

"Boss?"

"Quickly! Prepare the car and call Ethan-it's an emergency!" he ordered urgently, scooping me up and rushing out the door.