Chapter 1

When I was two months pregnant, a strange woman knocked on my door.

She looked me up and down, lingering on my belly, and claimed to be my man's fiancée.

Before I could react, she slapped me hard across the face.

I was stunned by the blow, and before I could steady myself, another slap landed on my cheek.

"Are you crazy?" I screamed, covering my burning face. "I'm calling the police!"

But just as I pulled out my phone, my fiancé suddenly pressed my wrist tightly from behind.

"If you call the police, the wedding's cancelled."

*****

It felt like someone had stabbed me in the gut. I couldn't believe my boyfriend of two years would say that to me because of another woman.

"She just hit me," I said through gritted teeth, pointing at the stranger standing in the doorway. "She barged in and did this to me, and you're threatening me?"

"She's here to apologize. You're just being too emotional," James said, his voice steady and his head lowered.

I let out a bitter laugh. "She came in and slapped me twice. You call that an apology?"

Olivia walked in, looking around like she owned the place.

"I'm not unreasonable, but you took my fiancé and expect me not to say anything?" she said.

My face went stiff. "What did you just say?"

"I'm two months pregnant with James's baby," she said, rubbing her belly.

"So what if you're pregnant? James and I have been engaged for ages. You're nothing but a mistake," she added.

It felt like my world just shattered. I nearly stumbled.

James just stood there in silence, his silence saying it all.

I took a shaky step forward, my voice shaking. "So you knew who she was, didn't you?"

He didn't deny it.

I slapped him hard, fury burning in my chest. "You bastard!" I spat, my voice shaking with rage.

The crisp sound of the slap rang out in the room.

Olivia covered her mouth and let out a mocking giggle. "Tsk, you know, hitting someone is illegal."

James fixed his deep gaze on me. "Take it easy. Don't frighten the baby."

I stared at him, his calm demeanor making my heart ache so much I couldn't get a word out.

"You're worried I'll scare the baby, but you're not worried she might hurt it by hitting me?" I said, my voice trembling with anger.

"She didn't do it on purpose," James replied, his tone flat.

I was stunned.

Olivia barged in, slapped me, and announced she was your fiancée right in front of you. And now you expect me to believe that she didn't do it on purpose?

I didn't waste another word on him. I just stormed off to the bedroom.

And then I pulled out my pregnancy test results from the nightstand.

"Not on purpose, huh?" I flung the report at him. "Then tell me, what does this baby mean? And what am I to you?"

James's fingers twitched, but he didn't take the report.

Olivia just laughed as she took it from me. "Only two months? Well, I doubt you'll even keep it."

I snatched the report back, my brows furrowed in anger. "What did you just say?"

Olivia stared at the test results like she was watching a comedy. "Is this all you've got? You really think having his baby is enough to make him stay?"

"Get out!" I yelled, shoving her toward the door.

But the next second, James grabbed me, clearly annoyed. "Emily, just stop it!"

My hand dropped, and I just sank to the floor, completely defeated.

"Get out," I choked out, tilting my head up to look at James as tears streamed down my cheeks. "I'm calling the police right now. I want them to drag both of you, lunatics, out of here."

I just couldn't understand it. The man who used to stay up with me through those late-night hospital runs, who made oatmeal for me every time I got morning sickness, was standing beside another woman, mocking me.

He knew exactly how precious this baby was to us. Just days ago, he was rubbing my belly and acting all sweet. How could he suddenly turn cold and show that gentleness to someone else?

I wiped the tears from my face, grabbed my phone from my bag, and started recording.

"So you're afraid I'll call the cops, huh?" I shot them a glare. "Guess I can at least record this, can't I?

"Olivia, repeat what you just said. You claim you're two months pregnant and engaged to James," I demanded, my voice icy and unwavering.

Olivia's face faltered, and just as she was about to say something, James's face turned cold. "Emily, turn off your phone."

"Isn't this what you wanted? For me to just stay quiet?" I said, clutching my belly as I stood up, a cold laugh escaping my lips. "Fine, I'll be even quieter. I don't want this baby anymore."