Chapter 1

When I was nine months pregnant, Simon Ferguson's first love, Mabel Fitzgerald, also got pregnant.

To keep Mabel from being gossiped about, he hurriedly registered their marriage with her. My baby was labeled an illegitimate child.

In the face of my tearful pleas, Simon spoke with cold indifference. "The stigma of having a child out of wedlock would ruin her. Don't make this hard for me.

"If you have the baby aborted, we can keep our physical relationship."

That was when I realized the love I had believed in was nothing more than a transaction to him.

Later, I did as Simon wished and had the baby aborted.

While he stayed by Mabel's side, I obeyed my family's wishes and married someone else.

I would never see him again.

*****

"This little dress is so cute. Should we get it for our daughter?" I heard my sister, Mabel, say.

Her baby bump was starting to show, and Simon had his arm around her waist, acting all sweet and affectionate.

When I turned around, Mabel flashed me a smile.

Mabel said, "What a coincidence. What are you doing here picking out baby clothes?

"So, did you finally find someone to play daddy for your baby?"

I hadn't even processed why they were together. Instinctively, I glanced at Simon for help, but his icy stare made my heart sink. All I could do was drop my gaze.

Simon made me keep it a secret, so I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone he was the father of my baby.

It took me a while before I finally thought of something to say.

"He's busy," I mumbled.

Mabel shot a glance at my belly.

She sneered. "You're pretty far along in your pregnancy. You're a bastard yourself. Do you really want your child to be one too?"

I teared up right away, clenching my fists tightly.

I said, "It's not—"

Simon spoke up, his voice gentle. "June, you look unwell. Should we drive you home first?"

I could hear the warning in his tone.

I shook my head.

"No, thank you," I mumbled.

I buried my head even lower and bolted out of there.

Just as I stepped out of the store, Simon called after me.

I turned around and saw him holding out a bottle of water.

"You look like you're not feeling well. Have some water," he said.

Then, lowering his voice so Mabel couldn't hear, Simon said, "This all happened so suddenly. Go back to the usual place and wait for me. I'll explain everything later."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Mabel shooting me a venomous glare.

I flinched, too scared to take the water. I nodded and hurried off to catch a cab.

The so-called "usual place" was a hotel owned by Simon, one of his many businesses.

Whenever he needed me, he'd always book the penthouse suite for our meetings.

Simon had a compulsive need for sex but refused to take any medication. I happened to love him, so I willingly became his cure.

Somehow, this relationship had lasted over three years.

I went back to the hotel and waited for him.

It wasn't until nightfall that Simon finally came.

He smelled like flowers. I stopped myself from reaching out to hug him.

Simon sat on the couch across the room.

He said, "Mabel is pregnant. An unwed pregnancy would ruin her reputation.

"I've already registered our marriage. Once the baby's born, Mabel and I will throw a wedding."

I spoke, my voice breaking with hurt. "What about me? What about our baby?"

Simon's tone was cold. "If you're willing to get an abortion, we can still keep our physical relationship."

I looked at him in shock, forgetting to wipe away my tears.

I said, "What are you even saying?

"After all this time, did you really think we were anything more than that?"

Simon finally met my gaze.

"I told you I loved someone else. You and I were just using each other," he said.

I took off the ring on my right hand.

I said, "A year ago, you got down on one knee and said you would marry me. That's why I kept the baby.

"I'm nine months pregnant now. The doctor said our baby is healthy and doing great."

Simon knew how excited I had been these nine months. I had even picked out a name for the baby.

Simon cut me off, impatience written all over his face.

He snapped, "It was just drunk talk. And you enjoyed this relationship too, didn't you? Why are you acting like I betrayed you now?

"Yeah, I admit I once thought about making it official after the baby was born.

"But Mabel told me she loved me, and she was willing to have my child.

"Now that she's actually pregnant, how could I abandon her?"

His voice hardened. "June, don't make this hard for me."

Simon's words stabbed me right in the heart. I dropped my hand, letting the ring roll away until it disappeared into the couch.

Everyone had always said Mabel was Simon's first love. Their breakup after dating abroad sounded like a tragic romance novel.