Chapter 1

After Albert Grant lost his memory, he thought I was a scammer and shoved a black card at me, telling me to get lost.

I clutched the card, glanced at the positive pregnancy test, and practically skipped out of there.

Money, a baby on the way, and freedom from that sour-faced man? Life was looking pretty sweet.

But my peace didn't last long. Of all people, I ran into Albert at the hospital during my prenatal checkup.

Once, twice, three times...

The more we crossed paths, the weirder he looked at me, like I was some kind of puzzle he couldn't solve.

I was afraid his memory might come back, so I started planning to move to the next city and lay low.

Just then, I looked up and saw him take a deep breath, striding straight toward me.

It was the first time he'd talked to me since he lost his memory.

He asked, "Why does your husband keep making you come to these appointments alone?

"Having a baby is no joke. You shouldn't be doing this by yourself.

"Honestly, I kinda like you.

"If you're open to it, I could help. With the baby, I mean."

*****

I was Albert's kept woman.

Not bad-looking, easygoing, and we clicked really well in bed.

For a guy known to avoid getting close to women, he blew everyone's mind by keeping me around for two whole years.

Everyone wondered if he'd actually fallen for me.

Then, out of nowhere, he got into an accident.

And just my luck, he forgot me of all people.

That jerk. Was he faking amnesia just to get out of giving me what I deserved?

I was still fuming when my phone buzzed.

It was Felix Miller, Albert's assistant, calling to deliver the decision about me now that Albert had lost his memory.

He was choosing his words very carefully.

He said, "Ms. Lane, after the accident, Mr. Grant feels he shouldn't have kept you as his secret lover all this time. Since he has no memory of you, he thinks it's best not to meet again. I'm sorry, but you'll need to move out of Summit Residence within the next couple of days."

Summit Residence was the apartment Albert put me in.

It was also where I'd spent two years with him.

After two years there, it pretty much felt like home to me.

The place was filled with all my favorite stuffed animals.

Out on the balcony, I even grew my favorite cherry tomatoes.

So when I heard I had to move out, it stung a little.

But what could I do? The place was his. The money was his. Everything was his.

I just nodded, feeling deflated. By then, I was already bracing myself to walk away with nothing.

But then Felix changed his tone and added, "Mr. Grant's not unreasonable. He knows you were with him for two years.

"Even if things weren't perfect, you put in your time. So he's offering a generous settlement and an apartment downtown. Just don't come back into his life."

As soon as he finished, my phone buzzed with a bank notification. The string of zeros on the screen made my eyes go wide.

Any trace of disappointment vanished instantly.

Fireworks of pure joy went off in my mind, sparking and fizzing with excitement.

I grinned from ear to ear and quickly told Felix, "Don't worry. I'll be out in a couple of days.

"Actually, make that today. You have my word, Mr. Grant won't see me again."

This was seriously hitting the jackpot.

A life-changing amount of money. A baby with incredible genes on the way.

And freedom from that man's exhausting nightly demands.

Honestly, it was like the universe just dropped a gift right into my lap.