Chapter 1

There was only a month left until my wedding.

But I couldn't help wondering if I should go through with it at all.

The same problem kept circling back. My fiancé, Alex Carter, wanted to have a child with his best friend's widow.

"Chris was my best friend," Alex said. "He died so suddenly, and Emily was left all alone. She's barely holding it together. If there were a child... maybe it would help her get through it."

I couldn't make sense of it. "If she wants a child, she could adopt, remarry, or go to a sperm bank. Why does it have to be you?"

"Chris asked me to look after her before he died," Alex replied. "She doesn't know anyone in Riverside, so I'm the only one she has."

"Alex, don't you hear how insane that sounds?"

He waved it off. "It's just IVF. Nothing's going to happen between us. I'm still marrying you."

We'd known each other for fifteen years, been together for thirteen. After all that time, I was finally about to become his wife.

And then, out of nowhere, everything fell apart.

"So what is the child supposed to call you?" I asked. "Dad?"

Alex's expression stiffened. "Whatever the kid wants is fine. It doesn't matter."

I couldn't agree to that.

Because of this, we barely spoke for months.

*****

Alex said, "Just think it over, okay? Emily's been in a bad place lately, and I'm afraid I still can't get over it. I'm going to take care of her for a few days, but I'll be back for the wedding."

And then he left. He dragged two huge suitcases behind him. He took all his clothes, toiletries, and everything.

I stared at the house, still decorated for the wedding, now looking bitterly ironic.

The phone rang. It was the bridal shop.

I picked up.

"Hello, Ms. Turner. Your wedding dress and Mr. Carter's suit are ready. When would you both like to come in for a fitting?"

I called Alex, and he picked up right away. "Have you come around?"

On the other end, I could just make out a woman's voice, seductive and teasing. "Who is it?"

I recognized that voice. It was Emily Young, the widow, whom Alex always talked about.

Alex replied, "No one."

"The movie's finally getting good. Why would someone call now? Way to ruin the mood," Emily complained.

Hearing Emily's voice, I couldn't help but laugh. "So you're out watching a movie with Emily? Weren't you saying she was so upset she might hurt herself?"

Alex snapped, "I'm just trying to cheer her up. How am I supposed to get over Chris' death if I just stay home all day?"

How convenient. Just as crazy as having a kid with her.

"Alright, you two enjoy the movie. Bye," I said.

"Are you crazy? You call just to mess with me?" Alex snapped.

I asked, "Are you still planning to marry me?"

"Whether we get married or not, I'm still having a kid with Emily. I have to do this for Chris," Alex replied.

"Fine," I said.

"Did you just agree?" Alex asked, sounding surprised.

"Yes," I replied.

"Good, then. Don't worry. I'll be there for—" Alex said.

But I hung up before he could finish.

If marrying me didn't stop him from having a kid with Emily, then I believed it was only fair that I should make some changes, too. The wedding would go on as planned, but my groom would be someone else.

*****

I posted an update on my social media.

Olivia Turner: [Looking for someone to marry. Any reliable single guys out there? Hit me up!]

Soon, everyone jumped in to watch the drama in the comments.

Some people asked if I'd had a fight with Alex, saying it was normal for guys to fool around sometimes. They told me not to be so dramatic, or I'd end up driving a good man away. Others questioned me, asking if I really decided to be a bitch.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I saw those comments.

I'd been with Alex back when he had nothing, helped him build his business from scratch, and went through hell and back with him.

I could say with pride that I had done nothing wrong in our relationship. He was the one who made those ridiculous demands, acting like our years together meant nothing.

It was time to cut him out of my life for good and start fresh.

My phone buzzed.

I thought it was probably another message from Alex's friends, criticizing me again. But to my surprise, it was a message from my boss.

The guy I'd saved as Evil Boss was James Foster, and he really was my boss.

James: [You're looking for someone to marry?]

James: [How about me?]

I was stunned. 'I can't believe I forgot to block him...'

James: [So, when's the big day?]

I nervously typed back.

Olivia: [In a month?]

James: [Deal.]

Olivia: [Sir, are you actually serious about this?]

James: [Why not just go register our marriage right now? Wait for me. I'll pick you up in half an hour.]

I hurried to text him back.

Olivia: [I still have a few things to sort out. Let's do it in a month, okay? You can take some time to think it over too.]

James: [No need to think. We'll get married in a month.]

I stared at James' message, my mind blank with shock.

The sound of the door unlocking echoed from the entryway.

Alex walked in, his face dark. "Olivia, let's cancel the wedding for now. Emily's still not doing well, and I don't want to celebrate right now. It might just upset her more."

I nodded calmly. "Alright."

Alex looked genuinely surprised. "You're not going to throw a fit?"

"Why would I throw a fit?" I replied.

"I thought you'd be angry. You know, after all we've been together for over a decade," Alex said.

I let out a bitter laugh in my head. 'Yeah, after all these years, he can just call off our wedding for someone who has nothing to do with us.'

Alex had always been the one making all the decisions, ever since we got together. Whenever he made a decision, I had no choice but to follow along. I could never question or push back.

I didn't want to argue with him, so for anything that wasn't a matter of principle, I always let it slide. But this time, I wasn't going to give in anymore.

"Is she feeling any better?" I asked.

Alex said, "She still needs someone around. Whenever she's alone, she just starts spiraling. Having a baby is the only way, and I need to do it soon."

"Yeah, you should probably stick with her more these days," I said.

Alex grinned, acting all pleased with himself. "Looks like our argument actually worked. You're finally acting mature."

I wasn't just being mature. I was finally thinking straight.