Our breakup six years ago was absolute poison. Back when he loved me more than anything, I took a check for three million dollars from his mother. I ended the pregnancy, destroyed our future, and betrayed him in the worst way possible. I remember him kneeling outside the operating room, begging me through the door not to be so cruel. He told me then that he would hate me for the rest of his life. Now, six years later, fate has brought us back together. He has a gorgeous, high-society fiancée, and they are about to get married. Meanwhile, I’m at rock bottom, forced to swallow my pride and beg him for a loan. Instead of a check, he gave me an ultimatum: attend his wedding. He wants me to watch with my own eyes as he makes another woman his wife. He asked me if I regretted it. What he doesn't know is that I didn’t end the pregnancy. I’ve been secretly raising our child alone. And now, our son is sick. If I don't get this money, he's going to die. 01 Six years after I wrecked his life, ran into Caleb Vance at the absolute lowest point of mine. It was a college reunion. No one expected him to show up. Someone made a joke, asking, "Mr. Vance, you haven’t kept in touch with any of us for years. Did you finally decide to come back because you heard Maya was going to be here?" I was sitting in a dark corner, my entire body going rigid. I looked up and saw Caleb through a cloud of cigarette smoke. He was looking at me, his expression pure ice. Everyone in that room knew how obsessed Caleb used to be with me. He was the scion of a wealthy, powerful family, but he fell for a scholarship kid like me instantly. Back then, he actually cut ties with his family for me. He gave up the trust fund, the connections, everything, just to fight for a life with me. We lived in a tiny, roach-infested studio apartment. We split boxes of ramen and shared cheap coffee. Life was brutal, but we were happy because we were together. During those long, intimate nights, we’d lock fingers and swear we’d never let go. Until I found out I was pregnant. That was when his mother showed up with a check for three million dollars. Her offer was simple: get an abortion, leave Caleb, and never look back. The day I made my choice, Caleb was on his knees outside the clinic, screaming and slamming his fists against the operating room door. Over and over, he begged me, his voice cracking with tears. "Baby, please! I’ll work harder. I’ll make more money. I’ll support us. I swear I’ll make three million dollars a hundred times over just for you to spend, okay?" "I’m begging you, don't do this to me. Don't do this to our baby..." I lay on that cold operating table, biting my lip until it bled, forcing myself not to make a sound. Through that thin wooden door, I listened to Caleb scream that he would hate me for eternity. 02 Nobody truly knew how ugly our final breakup got. Someone at the table, thinking they were being funny, nudged me toward Caleb. "Come on, Mr. Vance. You used to love Maya more than life itself. How could you ever let her go?" People started jeering, calling for a reconciliation. One of Caleb’s close friends shot me a contemptuous look and laughed. "Hudson, are you kidding? Caleb can have any woman he wants. Who does Maya Clark think she is, assuming my boy is still hanging onto her?" He announced that Caleb had been with a woman named Serenity for three years. He described her as gentler, more beautiful, and far more suited to Caleb’s status than I ever was. Caleb had been with her for three years. His friends already called her "sister-in-law." Apparently, they were engaged. The laughter in the room died down instantly. Only Caleb’s friend kept smiling, loudly inviting everyone to make sure they attended the wedding. He flicked an invitation across the table. It hit me in the chest and slid into my lap. Keeping my head down, I opened it. There was Caleb’s name. And right next to it, written in elegant script, was another girl’s name. Serenity Vance. Even her name sounded perfect and gentle. I imagined she must be smart, obedient, and kind. She probably knew how to take care of him and never made him suffer the way I did. Six years apart. Seeing him again only to realize he’s doing incredibly well... that’s enough for me. I forced back the tears that threatened to spill, looked up, and looked Caleb right in the eye. "Congratulations," I said. My voice was barely a whisper. Caleb stared at me intensely. Hearing my congratulations, a harsh, mocking smile twisted his face. He brutally crushed his cigarette in the ashtray. His voice was clipped and cold. "Actually, Maya, don't bother coming to the wedding." "My wife gets uncomfortable when she sees things that don't belong in her world. If she’s unhappy, it breaks my heart." I clutched that thin paper invitation, my hand shaking slightly. I forced a smile, nodded, and said softly, "Okay." 03 That night, everyone left saying that Caleb Sterling was truly, deeply over me. Nobody could have imagined we once loved each other that intensely. But in the end, he was getting married, and I wasn't the bride. Everyone assumed Caleb would wait for me forever. Now, everyone was curious about this girl, Serenity, wondering who could have captivated and charmed Caleb so completely. I knew Caleb didn't want to see me, so I slipped out of the reunion early. On my way home, a friend text me a photo of Serenity. She looked pure, innocent. I heard she laughed easily and knew how to be sweet—exactly the type of girl Caleb always said he liked. My friend asked, "Maya, don't you think Serenity looks a lot like you did back then when she smiles?" "Do you really think Caleb is still in love with you? Is it really over between you two?" I exhaled slowly, watching my breath fog up the cold car window. After a long silence, I text back: "Doesn't matter. I don't care anymore." I didn't want to drag Caleb back into my chaos. I thought he would never have to know that I lied to everyone. That I kept our baby. A boy who is now very sick. And dying. 04 This year has been my absolute rock bottom. I have been working myself to death, desperate to get the money for the best medications for my son, Leo. I wanted to make sure that when the pain came, it didn't hurt him so much. For money, I had swallowed my pride and went to that reunion to beg. For money, I was working at a high-end club, playing hostess, drinking until my stomach was bleeding just to get tips from rich scumbags. I assumed that reunion was the last time I’d ever see Caleb in this life. Until a few days later, the girl named Serenity found me. I guess she had heard from others that we looked alike and wanted to see for herself. She showed up at the club with a group of wealthy friends, specifically requesting me as their server. One of her friends sneered, "So you’re Maya? Caleb Sterling’s first love?" Her eyes were filled with scorn, looking at my heavy makeup and revealing work uniform. Her look clearly said: Disgusting trash. I clenched my fists, forcing myself not to react. I couldn't afford to get fired. I just asked what they wanted to drink. If they weren't going to order, they were wasting my earning time. Her friend, offended by my lack of subservience, snapped, "What’s with the attitude? I asked you a question, bitch. Don't act like you're too good for this." She pointed to a bottle of expensive, high-proof liquor on the table. "Tell you what, Maya. You love money, right? Chug this entire bottle, right now, and I’ll give you five thousand dollars." Drinking that whole bottle meant a trip to the ER. Serenity put on a show of being concerned. She faked an anxious tone, trying to dissuade her friend. "Hey, didn't we agree we just came to look? Don't make things difficult for Ms. Clark." "I know everyone says she's manipulative and that I need to be careful around her. Even Caleb told me I’m too naive and that she would bully me." "But really, I’m fine." I listened to Serenity’s passive-aggressive act. I got it. She wanted me to know how much Caleb adored her, and how much he despised me. I smiled, saying nothing to her. I just turned to her friend. "Deal. I drink the bottle, you give me five thousand. Cash." Then I grabbed the bottle, popped the top, and started chugging. The entire VIP room went silent. No one expected that for a few grand, I would literally risk my life. Serenity grabbed my hand, trying to sound compassionate. "Maya, how can you care about money this much? Why are you trashing yourself like this?" "As women, we need to have some self-respect. I didn't want to bring this up because I didn't want to hurt you, but you should know... Caleb hates women like you." I finished the bottle, ignoring the searing pain in my stomach, and cut her off. "Where’s the money?" "What Caleb likes or hates is none of my business. I just want the five grand you promised." Serenity frowned, looking at me with feigned disappointment. "Maya, to be honest, five thousand dollars is pocket change to me. I’d gladly throw it away on anyone else, but I absolutely will not give it to you." "You can blame me if you want, but I’m doing this for your own good. I can't stand by and watch you sink deeper into this depravity..." Her friend shoved me hard. She laughed in my face. "I was just messing with you. I’m not giving you jack shit. What are you going to do about it?" I stared at her coldly, then matching her smile, I lifted the empty bottle and smashed it against the edge of the table. Glass flew everywhere. A jagged shard sliced right across Serenity’s calf. It wasn't deep, but blood immediately started soaking through her expensive jeans. Serenity burst into tears. The screeching group of wealthy girls went dead silent, paralyzed with shock. Seconds later, the door to the VIP room slammed open. Caleb stood there, looking at me like I was something scraped off his shoe. I froze. I didn't dare meet his eyes. The garbage heavy makeup, the cheap uniform, the degrading job... he saw it all. He saw exactly how low I had fallen. Honestly, I didn't care what anyone else thought of me. But I didn't want him to know that I lived my life this way. But in the end, I couldn't even keep that tiny bit of pride. I used every ounce of strength I had to pretend I didn't care. I forced myself to look up as Caleb rushed over, scooping Serenity into his arms, gently wiping away her tears. Then he looked at me, enunciating every syllable. "Maya Clark. Right in front of me... who do you think you are bullying?" "You want money? Fine. Apologize. On your knees." I watched Caleb protect Serenity. I remembered a long time ago, when he used to protect me the exact same way. I knew what Caleb wanted. He wanted me to grovel to make Serenity feel good. Fine. For money, I’d do anything. Serenity was hiding in Caleb’s chest, shooting me a triumphant smirk that he couldn't see. I looked at the cut on her leg. I picked up a sharp piece of broken glass from the floor and, without hesitating, sliced it deep into my own forearm. Then I held out my bleeding hand toward Caleb. My voice was utterly dead. "Give it to me. The five thousand." Caleb stared at me, and suddenly, his eyes went red. Seeing Caleb’s expression, the smirk on Serenity’s face vanished. She fumbled in her purse, pulled out a thick stack of cash, and threw it at my feet. Her voice was trembling, trying to regain high ground. "Maya, I’m giving you this money today not because I owe you, but because I don't want to see you make an even bigger spectacle of yourself for a few dollars. It's pathetic." I didn't bother listening to her act. I grabbed the cash and turned to leave, but Caleb grabbed my wrist in a vice grip. He ground his teeth, cursing at me through his lips. "Maya! Are you insane? Do you not feel pain? Are you really going to die without money?" His brows were furrowed tight. He actually looked devastated. I ripped my hand out of his grasp. I spun around, forced a cold laugh, and sneered, "I’ve always loved money more than anything, Caleb. Didn't you know?" "Mind your own business. Worry about your own woman. Stop screwing with mine." 05 Caleb glared at me, his eyes terrifyingly cold, like he wanted to snap my neck. My words had clearly triggered memories of the past—how he had given up everything for me, and I had dumped him for a paycheck. My stomach was screaming in agony from the high-proof liquor. I didn't want to talk to him anymore. I turned to leave, but suddenly my feet lost contact with the floor. Before I knew it, Caleb had hoisted me over his shoulder. He looked like a caveman kidnapping a woman. Cigarette dangling from his lips, holding me tightly as he marched out of the club. Everyone was watching. I struggled desperately, screaming at him to put me down. He slapped my ass hard. "Maya! Damn you! I apparently owed you a debt in a past life, and now you’re going to torture me for eternity!" He threw me into the passenger seat of his car, leaned over, pinned my legs down with his knee, and grabbed my face, cursing at me savagely. "Sometimes, I really just want to kill you." His expression said he hated my guts, but his eyes... his eyes always looked like they were telling me he still loved me. I was in too much pain to speak. I was breaking out in a cold sweat, just glaring at him. Caleb frowned, opened the glove compartment, popped a blister pack, and shoved a stomach pill into my mouth. As the compartment light flickered, I saw what was inside. In the corner lay an empty tube of lipstick I used to love but couldn't afford to replace; a broken hair tie; and a ridiculous, cheap pink plastic barrette Caleb had bought me years ago... That compartment held fragments of my entire existence. During the years I was gone, those cheap trinkets had kept him company. Tears blurred my vision instantly. I turned my head away before Caleb could see, wiping them away furiously with the back of my hand. After all these years, he still remembered that I had a bad stomach. Even though I wasn't in his life, he still kept the habit of having pain medication ready for me. But I forced my heart to be iron. Using every bit of energy in my body, I brutally shoved him away. I forced myself to smile at him. A harsh, cruel laugh. "Caleb, stop obsessed over me. It's annoying. You really think I care? This whole pining routine is just pathetic." "There’s something you apparently don't know. I got married a long time ago. I have a kid." "Are you still hoping for a reunion? Caleb, don't be a desperate loser." He recoiled as if I’d struck him, stumbling back a couple of steps. He just stood there, completely frozen. As I got out of the car to run, he suddenly grabbed me, slammed me against the side of the car, and pinned me there. His hands gripped my shoulders, shaking me, his voice trembling with rage. "Maya Clark, I don't believe you." "You better tell me you’re fucking joking right now. Because if you aren't, I swear to God I will destroy you." I looked him dead in the eye. My voice was flat. "Fine. I’ll prove it to you." I drove Caleb to the children's hospital. It was nine PM, but the inpatient wing was still lit up. I stood outside Leo’s hospital room. Through the observation glass, I pointed to the quiet little boy reading a book inside. I told Caleb, "That’s my son." His name is Leo. He’s my everything, my entire heart. He looks just like me, but his personality is all Caleb. He’s affectionate, gentle, but possesses a stubborn, defiant streak. He inherited all of Caleb’s best traits. He is such a wonderful little boy. But he is sick. He’s almost six years old, but he’s so thin and small. He’s so brave it breaks my heart. Caleb stared at that little boy through the glass for a long, long time. Then he balled his fist and punched the concrete wall, hard. He dropped his head. I think I saw a tear fall. I had never seen him look so broken. That night, the last thing Caleb said to me was: "Maya Clark, you have a lot of nerve." He didn't ask who the father was. He didn't recognize that the little boy inside was his own son. 06 After that night, Caleb stopped coming around. I heard rumors that he bought Serenity a magnificent wedding dress and a massive diamond ring, and took her home to officially meet his mother again. I heard his mother adored Serenity, and Caleb publicly declared she was the only woman he would ever marry. My old college acquaintances were gossiping: "I’m so jealous of Serenity Vance. To be adored like that by a man like Caleb Vance..." "But Serenity is a sweetheart, honestly. She’s so kind and generous. She heard Maya is completely broke and actually wanted to give her some money to help out." "A girl that pure and good deserves to be protected forever..." I stared at the group chat on my phone, my stomach churning. I had a horrible, sinking feeling I couldn't shake. When I finally got to the hospital, the nurse told me Caleb and Serenity had been there to see Leo. The young nurse apologized to me, admitting she had accidentally let it slip to Serenity that Leo had no father listed on his records. I walked toward the room and overheard Serenity talking to Leo inside. "Sweetie, I heard your daddy abandoned you and your mommy. Isn't that right?" "You know, your mommy is very pathetic. To pay for your hospital bills, she has to go sell herself to all kinds of nasty men every night. It makes her very dirty. Honestly, it makes sense why your daddy wouldn't want a woman like that..." Leo screamed at her. "You’re lying! You’re the dirty one! We don't want your money! Get out!" I burst into the room, shaking with rage. Serenity turned and saw me, faking surprise. She frowned. "Maya Clark, look at your son. I was just trying to help him understand how hard you work, and he’s throwing a temper tantrum at me. He is so ill-mannered..." Before Serenity could finish, I lunged forward, grabbed her hair, and slapped her hard across the face, twice. I dragged her to the door and threw her out into the hallway. I pointed a shaking finger at her face. "Serenity Vance, do you have a fucking death wish, coming here to provoke me?" She clutched her red cheek, unable to believe I actually struck her. She immediately switched to her victim role, sobbing. "Maya, I was just trying to help you. I didn't mean anything by it." "Caleb didn't even want to care about you anymore. Luckily, he listens to me, and he knows I have a kind heart. If I didn't help you, I’d feel guilty." "I truly wanted to help, but now that you've hit me, Caleb is going to be furious with you again..." I stared at Serenity and laughed—a cold, dead sound. So, this was why she came. To gloat. She just couldn't help herself. She had to make sure I knew Caleb loved her more than he ever loved me. I looked at her pathetic acting. My voice was absolute ice. "Serenity Vance. You want Caleb? He’s just a man. Take him. He’s yours. But you just couldn't be satisfied with that, could you? You had to come here and mess with me." I stepped close to her, grabbed her collar, and lowered my voice to a terrifying whisper. "Keep pushing me. I dare you. I will personally congratulate you and Caleb on your happy marriage, and right before you say 'I do,' I will tell him that the son I have is his." "You guess who he’s going to choose then?" Serenity froze. I watched the blood drain from her face, leaving her ghost-white. I ground my teeth at her. "Now, you are going to go inside and apologize to my son. Then, you are going to get the hell out of my sight." Just as I finished speaking, the door to the room opened and Caleb stepped out. He text me hard, pulling me away from her. I lost my balance and my back slammed hard against the hospital wall. He looked down at me, a cruel smirk on his face. "Maya Clark, I don't recall asking for your permission on who I marry." "My wife doesn't need you to 'give' me to her. You assume you're special, but who the hell do you think you are?"
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