I gently touched my flat stomach, my gaze turning ice-cold as it landed on the man standing in front of me. A man I had known for seven years, who now felt like a total stranger. Nate had just returned from his corporate deployment in Colombia, but he didn't come back alone. Standing right beside him was a heavily pregnant woman with a deep, sun-baked tan. His eyes darted everywhere, terrified to meet my gaze. His voice dripped with pathetic guilt. "Avery, it was the booze. I swear to you. I had way too much to drink that night, and I made a massive mistake." "Her name is Jessica. She was my local translator down in Bogota. She helped me out of some really dangerous spots during the project. Letting her keep this baby is just giving her a lifeline." "Don't panic, okay? You and I are still getting married. Once the baby is born, I'll send her straight back to South America." "The kid is innocent, Ave. You wouldn't want me to be a deadbeat dad, right?" He practically begged, trying to paint his betrayal as some noble sacrifice. The very last shred of hope in my chest shattered into dust. I let out a dry, mocking laugh and gave him a single, emotionless nod. "Okay." I turned my back on them, pulled out my phone, and scrolled down to a number I hadn't called in a very long time. "Let's get married," I said the second the call connected. 1. Nate looked entirely too guilty to even glance in my direction. Jessica stood close to him, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of his expensive suit sleeve. She played the part of a terrified victim perfectly, but the look she shot me over his shoulder held a sickening flash of absolute triumph. Nate was still rambling, desperately trying to justify the nightmare he brought into my home. "You have to understand, the slums where Jessica grew up are brutal." "She saved my life down there, Avery. I couldn't just leave her pregnant with my flesh and blood, living in fear in a place like that." My heart didn't even ache anymore. It had gone entirely numb. Before this deployment, we had been planning our wedding. I had waited for him to come home so we could finally pick a venue. Now, his words felt like a backhand across my face. A sharp cramp twisted low in my abdomen. I looked down, hiding the agonizing pain in my eyes. I was hiding my own poorly timed secret, too. The lab results confirming I was three months pregnant were sitting right inside my designer purse. I had practically been vibrating with joy this morning, counting down the seconds until I could tell Nate he was going to be a father. Clearly, that conversation was never going to happen. A bitter smile touched my lips as I looked at Nate's pleading face. I slowly nodded. If this was how it was going to be, then I didn't want this man anymore. He was garbage, and I was throwing him out. Nate was so wrapped up in the relief of my apparent agreement that he immediately turned to comfort Jessica. His voice was sickeningly sweet. "See? Don't be scared. I told you Avery is the kindest, most reasonable woman in the world." He completely missed the absolute zero-degree blizzard raging in my eyes. Listening to him praise my "kindness" made my blood run freezing cold. Looking at them, they looked like the real couple. I was just the extra. I turned on my heel and walked out the door in total silence, pressing the phone to my ear. The line picked up on the second ring. Rowan's voice filtered through the speaker. He still had that same lazy, arrogant drawl from our childhood. But the moment he heard my voice, he went dead silent. When he finally spoke again, his normally smooth tone was actually trembling. "Avery. Are you dead serious right now?" His words rushed out in a frantic blur, as if giving me a second to breathe would make me take it all back. "No takebacks, Ave. It's done." "I'm booking the next flight out of London. Wait for me." The line went dead with a soft click. Staring at the disconnected screen, the tight knot between my eyebrows finally relaxed. But the cynical laughter bubbling up in my chest only grew louder. I had been with Nate for seven grueling years. Every single time I brought up marriage, he brushed me off. He said he needed to establish his career first. He said we needed more money. Earlier this year, I practically handed him a million-dollar contract on a silver platter. He finally bought a ring. He finally proposed. And then, three months in South America was all it took to destroy everything. Yet, there was another man. A man who only needed three words from me to drop his entire life on another continent and fly home. I shook my head, pushed open the heavy glass doors of the building, and headed straight for the hospital. 2. The doctor stared at my charts, her brow heavily furrowed. "Ms. Davis, are you absolutely certain about this?" "Given your medical history, a successful pregnancy is a miracle. Are you really sure you want to terminate?" A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. I had spent my entire twenties building Nate's empire alongside him. I had entertained his clients, drank myself sick to close his deals, and run my own health straight into the ground. My body was wrecked. The older I got, the harder it became to conceive. This baby was a complete surprise, but it was a surprise I had prayed for in secret for years. Meeting the doctor's tragic, sympathetic gaze, I simply closed my eyes and gave a firm nod. The procedure was quick. By the time I walked out of the recovery wing, my face was as white as a sheet of paper. I was taking slow, agonizing steps toward the main lobby exit when I turned a corner and walked right into Nate and Jessica. Nate was so hyper-focused on his new pregnant girlfriend that he didn't even look where he was going. He slammed his shoulder hard into mine, sending me crashing onto the hard linoleum floor. A sharp cry ripped from my throat. A cold sweat immediately broke out across my forehead as raw pain shot through my recovering body. Hearing my voice, Nate finally snapped his head down. Shock and panic flooded his face. He lunged forward and tried to haul me up by my arms. "Avery? What the hell are you doing at the hospital?" "Are you okay?" I ripped my arms out of his grip. I opened my mouth to tell him to back off, but Jessica beat me to it. She suddenly grabbed her stomach and let out a bloodcurdling shriek. "Nate! Oh my god, my baby! My stomach hurts so bad!" All the color drained from Nate's face in an instant. His panic over me vanished, entirely replaced by a terrifying, protective rage. "Avery, did you do this on purpose?" he roared. Jessica gripped Nate's sleeve, big fat tears rolling down her cheeks. "Nate, what if something happens to our baby? I'm so scared!" Nate shot me a look so full of venom it actually took my breath away. He scooped Jessica up into his arms, shoved me back down to the floor with his boot, and sprinted down the hall toward the emergency clinic. Before he disappeared, he threw one last threat over his shoulder. "If anything happens to my kid, Avery, I swear to God I will make you pay!" I sat collapsed on the freezing hospital floor. Passersby stopped and stared at me in pity, rushing over to help me stand. A hollow, miserable laugh escaped my lips. I thanked the strangers, ignored their sympathetic whispers, and dragged my broken body out of the building like a walking joke. 3. The second I dragged myself into our apartment, my legs gave out. I collapsed into bed and fell into a dark, feverish sleep. I had no idea how many hours passed before large, rough hands started shaking my shoulders. Nate stood over my bed, looking entirely too self-righteous. "You've been home this whole time? I've been shouting your name from the foyer. Are you deaf?" I swallowed down the wave of nausea and forced myself to sit up, glaring right at him. "I need to rest. What do you want, Nate?" He shifted his weight, looking the tiniest bit uncomfortable. "Do you have any idea how reckless you were today?" "Thank God Jessica is fine. The doctor said she just needs strict bed rest." I had zero energy to deal with his delusions. I turned my back on him and pulled the covers up, ready to go back to sleep. But Nate wasn't done. He stepped closer, his voice rising in demand. "Jessica is coming here to recover." "She doesn't know a single soul in this country. She needs someone to look after her 24/7 right now." "You're a great cook, Ave. You can make her those organic meals and help build her strength back up." My lungs completely locked up. I was suddenly seized by a violent fit of coughing. Watching me choke on air, Nate didn't show a single ounce of pity. Instead, he just started barking orders. "The master bedroom has the best lighting and the most space. It's perfect for a pregnant woman. Clean your stuff out and give it to Jessica." I swallowed the bitter taste of bile burning in my throat. My voice came out like cracked ice. "And where exactly am I supposed to sleep?" Nate waved his hand like I was being ridiculous. "What about the guest quarters down by the laundry room? Just take the maid's bed." "It's not forever, Ave. Just until she pops the kid out. Be reasonable." 4. I stared at the face of the man I had worshipped for seven years. His handsome features, the ones I used to trace with my fingers while he slept, suddenly looked twisted, hideous, and pathetic. I couldn't hold it back anymore. I started laughing. I laughed so hard my ribs screamed and hot tears spilled down my cheeks. Seeing my manic reaction, Nate's ego took a hit. His tone turned instantly aggressive. "Avery, we already talked about this! I told you she was keeping the kid!" "You literally agreed to this this morning! What the hell is this psychotic act for?" My laughter died instantly. I violently wiped the tears from my face. Before I could tear into him, the bedroom door slowly pushed open. Jessica stood in the doorway, trembling like a frightened doe. Her English was heavily accented, dripping with fake, sickening concern. "Nate, please. You cannot fight with Avery because of me." "If my baby brings you trouble, I will pack my bags right now." Her voice cracked with perfect theatrical timing. "I can go back to the slums. It is okay. I am used to suffering." Her manipulative little speech worked like absolute magic. Nate's face flushed dark red with furious protective instinct. "Avery, knock it off right now!" he screamed at me. "I made a mistake! A mistake literally any guy would make if he was lonely enough!" "I already promised I'd put a ring on your finger! But Jessica and this baby are my responsibility too!" "What do you want from me? Do you want me to be a garbage human being who abandons his own child?" The words I was about to scream at him died in the back of my throat. I was staring at a monster I didn't even recognize. Taking my silence as submission, Nate puffed his chest out with arrogant pride. He pulled Jessica into his arms, petting her hair and lowering his voice to a gentle purr. "Didn't the doctor tell you to stay off your feet? Go rest in the living room. I'll handle things in here." Jessica looked up at him with wide, worshipful eyes. "I trust you, Nate. You are my hero. I just hate seeing Avery so mad at you." He gently kissed the top of her head. The intimacy of it made my stomach violently revolt. I couldn't stand the sight of them for one more second. I threw the blankets off and walked right past them toward the door. But Jessica's shrill voice stopped me in my tracks. "Avery, wait. You should take this." 5. Jessica walked over to my bedside table and picked up a silver picture frame. It was the photo from the night Nate proposed. In the picture, I was crying tears of pure joy, and Nate was looking at me like I hung the moon and the stars. Jessica held the frame out to me, taking slow, deliberate steps in my direction. The terrified act was gone. Her lips curved into an incredibly wicked, mocking smirk. I took a step back, totally disgusted by the thought of her touching me. Suddenly, she let go. The heavy silver frame crashed onto the hardwood floor. The glass shattered into a hundred jagged pieces. Before I could even blink, Jessica threw herself backward and let out a blood-chilling scream. "Avery, if you hate me, just hit me! Do whatever you want to me once I deliver!" "Why would you try to hurt my baby?!" I stared down at her miserable acting routine, a cold smirk forming on my own lips. But Nate was completely blind. He charged into the room like a rabid dog. He grabbed the collar of my silk pajama shirt, twisting the fabric so tight it choked me. "Avery, you vindictive bitch! Are you out of your mind?!" "How can you be so evil? She's carrying my child!" I clawed at his hands, trying to breathe, but his grip was like iron. Down on the floor, Jessica clutched her perfectly fine stomach, wailing at the ceiling. "Avery, I swear I didn't mean to steal him. We were just so drunk." "I don't want your man. I'm leaving the second the baby is born." "But this baby is an innocent soul. Please, don't punish an unborn child for our sins!" Hearing her hysterical crying pushed Nate over the edge. His face contorted with absolute hatred. He shoved me backward with all his strength. He aimed right for my stomach. I crashed backward, hitting the sharp corner of the vanity before crumpling to the floor. The surgical pain flared up so bright and hot I folded perfectly in half, unable to breathe, let alone speak. Nate simply bent down, scooped his mistress off the floor, and glared down at me with supreme disgust. "Don't act like a victim, Avery. I'm just giving you a taste of your own medicine." "What is this pathetic little act anyway? Are you going to pretend you're pregnant too?" He sneered, his lip curling up. "If you have a problem, take it up with me. Keep your filthy hands off Jessica and my kid." He turned on his heel and carried her out of the room without looking back once. His heavy boots crunched right over our shattered engagement photo, grinding the memory into the floorboards. Covered in a layer of cold sweat, I reached out a shaking hand and pulled the torn photograph from the glass. When Nate had proposed, he had sworn on his life that he would never betray me. He had looked at me with such fierce, unshakable devotion. Just minutes ago, those exact same eyes had looked at me like I was radioactive trash. Without a single drop of hesitation, I ripped the photograph down the middle. The love was dead. Keeping this stupid piece of paper would only infect the rest of my life. 6. It took a long time for the agonizing fire in my pelvis to fade. I dragged myself off the floor, took a scalding hot shower to wash away the sticky sweat, and began violently throwing things into my suitcases. This penthouse was supposed to be our marital home. I had poured my soul into this place, turning an empty glass box into a warm, inviting sanctuary for our future family. Now, the walls felt like the jaws of a beast trying to swallow me whole. I threw out the customized artwork we made together. I trashed the matching mugs. I threw away every single thing that had his fingerprints on it. By the time I was down to just my basic clothes and my passport, I was panting, completely exhausted. Just as I zipped up my final piece of luggage, the front door clicked open. Nate had taken Jessica for a walk. They stepped into the master bedroom. Nate took one look at the completely barren room, paused, and then nodded with a huge, satisfied grin. "I knew you'd come to your senses, Ave." "This is perfect actually. Jessica didn't really like your taste in bedding anyway. We'll just buy everything brand new." My jaw practically hit the floor. I stared at him, utterly stunned by his sheer, sociopathic audacity. My body was too weak to even scream at him. I simply turned around and grabbed the handle of my suitcase. Nate immediately stepped in my way, blocking the door. "Hey, make that seafood risotto you're so good at. Jessica is starving." "You can finish organizing your little maid's room later. Pregnant women need to eat constantly to keep their blood sugar up." "Whatever. You've never been pregnant, so you wouldn't get it anyway." "Just get in the kitchen." Even knowing I was leaving him, hearing him casually dismiss my fertility felt like a knife twisting straight into my ribs. I stared blankly down at my own two hands. Before I met Nate, I didn't even know how to boil water. I was a spoiled rich girl who ordered takeout every night. But Nate loved home-cooked meals, so I spent months burning my fingers and chopping my own skin just to learn how to feed him. A hollow chuckle escaped my throat. I didn't bother arguing. I pulled my purse over my shoulder and stood up straight. Nate was horribly impatient. He shoved my shoulder, physically pushing me toward the staircase. "Come on, move. This is your duty now." "Thank God Jessica is built tough. If she was fragile, she would have lost the baby with all the times you've attacked her today." 7. Jessica hovered safely behind Nate's broad shoulders, playing the traumatized victim to perfection. Hearing him defend her, she peeked her head out timidly. "Avery, please don't be mad. I promise I'm not trying to take your place." I stared at her with dead, shark-like eyes. She rested a hand on her swollen belly. Her voice was sugar-sweet, but the glare she shot me was pure poison. "I really appreciate you cooking for me, Avery. I hate being a burden, but the baby is just growing so fast." I rolled my eyes at her absolute garbage acting. But Nate bought it hook, line, and sinker. He practically melted. "You are so brave, Jess. Seriously." "Avery understands. She's not holding a grudge." My stomach did a violent flip. I clamped a hand over my mouth to keep from vomiting, shoved past them, and walked straight for the top of the stairs. Seeing me completely ignore his authority, Nate's fragile male ego snapped. He roared my name down the hallway. "Avery Davis, what the actual hell is your problem?!" "I told you I let your little temper tantrum slide! I forgave you for assaulting my pregnant girlfriend!" "Why are you still walking around with that miserable dead look on your face?!" He lunged forward to grab my arm and drag me back. But Jessica beat him to it. She closed the distance and clamped her hand around my wrist like a vice. "Avery, are you still punishing me?" "I'll get on my knees and apologize, okay? Just talk to us!" Her grip was brutal. I felt her sharp acrylic nails bite deep into the tender flesh of my inner arm. The sharp pain triggered my survival instinct. I violently yanked my arm back with everything I had left in the tank. The momentum threw my balance completely off. My foot slipped on the slick hardwood edge of the top step. Gravity ripped me backward. I tumbled down the long marble staircase, my bones cracking against the stone over and over again. The last thing I saw was the ceiling spinning wildly before everything went pitch black. 8. When I finally dragged my heavy eyelids open, I was blinded by fluorescent lights and assaulted by the sterile stench of bleach. The private hospital room was entirely empty. I stared blankly at the ceiling tiles, my brain thick and sluggish with painkillers, trying to piece together how I survived. The heavy door clicked open. Nate strolled into the room. He looked incredibly annoyed, completely devoid of any real concern. "You awake?" I slowly turned my head away, offering him the side of my face. Nate walked over and tried to grab my hand. I ripped it away like his skin was made of acid. "Come on, Ave. You tripped and fell like an idiot, but the doctors say nothing is broken. Stop being so dramatic." When I continued to treat him like empty air, his irritation spiked into outright anger. "What, are you going to run around telling people Jessica pushed you?" He scoffed, his face twisting into an ugly sneer. "You are acting completely insane. If Jessica hadn't begged me to go easy on you, and if you hadn't taken that spill down the stairs, I would have dumped you on the street for what you did." But it was his next sentence that truly gutted me. "You've been incredibly hostile to Jess. So, to make up for it, we made a decision." "When Jessica's kid is born, we're putting your name on the birth certificate as the mother." "It's a win-win. You finally get to live out your little fantasy of being a mom." "Since you clearly can't give me a kid of your own." I had spent countless nights lying on Nate's chest, whispering about the names we would give our future babies. We had picked out nursery colors. We had built a whole imaginary life. And now, he was pouring battery acid directly into my open wounds. I closed my eyes. My heart rate stayed perfectly flat. My voice came out dead and calm. "We are done, Nate. The engagement is over." 9. Nate reacted like I had just punched him in the throat. "Over?" "Avery, what fresh hell is this?!" "Stop acting like a psychotic child!" He scrubbed his hands aggressively over his face, pacing the side of the bed. "You're almost thirty, Avery! Who the hell else is going to put up with you?" "Jessica is literally giving you her baby as a gift! You should be on your knees thanking her!" A dark, incredibly twisted smile slowly spread across my face. I looked him dead in the eye and enunciated every single word. "I don't want your bastard kid, Nate." Nate's jaw dropped. He looked utterly paralyzed, opening his mouth to scream at me again. But a nurse suddenly burst into the room, out of breath. "Sir! Where is the family for Jessica? Her blood pressure is spiking!" Nate's anger vanished. Panic washed over his features. He spun toward the door but pointed a shaking finger at me. "This is all your fault! You caused this stress! You owe her, Avery!" My smile only grew wider and colder. I hadn't missed the tiny, victorious smirk Jessica shot me right as I was tumbling down those stairs. I watched his desperate, pathetic back disappear into the hallway and let out a genuine laugh. I closed my eyes, letting the quiet of the room sink in. A few minutes later, the door clicked open again. A familiar, deep voice echoed in the room. "Jesus, Avery. I leave you alone for one day and you end up looking like a car wreck."
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