Chapter 1

On Halloween night, when the veil between worlds was thinnest, I made a mistake.

I was three months pregnant and out helping a family cleanse a haunting. But somewhere along the way, something latched onto me—the spirit of an unborn child.

I was about to talk to my husband about getting rid of it.

Then I heard him on the phone with his infertile childhood sweetheart. "Just pretend you're pregnant, Claire. Once Luna gives birth, I'll bring you the baby..."

I lowered my hand from the door.

I'd been worried about what to do with this spirit baby anyway. Since his sweetheart wants one so badly... I'll just give her this one.

*****

I'm Luna Cyrus, the heir to a family of exorcists. My job? Hunting demons, catching ghosts, and kicking evil out of people's lives.

After I got pregnant, I figured I'd put my work on hold and just focus on being pregnant. But during my last exorcism, I ended up getting possessed by a ghost baby with a serious grudge.

This ghost baby came into this world carrying all the grudges from its past life. Born stubborn and vengeful, it could easily turn into a twisted serial killer.

I never wanted it anyway, but since my husband is so hell-bent on snatching my baby away for his beloved Claire...

I lowered my head and gently touched my still-flat belly.

Maybe I should just let them have it.

After all, my mentor always said, "Kindness above all."

I turned and went back to the living room. After a while, my husband, Ethan Hayes, finished his call and came over to me with a cup of milk.

"Luna, was the baby behaving today?" he asked.

I nodded, then suddenly asked, "Have you thought about a name for the baby yet?"

Ethan's face stiffened for a moment, but he forced a relaxed smile and dodged the question. "We've still got months before the due date. There's plenty of time to figure it out later."

I pushed him away with a scowl, clearly annoyed.

"What's wrong now, my queen?" Ethan sighed, sounding helpless.

Ethan walked over and sat down beside me, pretending it was just an offhand comment.

"Claire's pregnant too, about the same time as you. How come she doesn't have all this drama like you do?"

I let out a cold, silent sneer.

Of course Claire didn't have all those wild mood swings pregnant women get.

She wasn't even pregnant in the first place.

Ethan kept dodging the question about the baby's name, and I knew exactly what he was up to.

He just wanted to let his darling Claire have the honor of naming the baby.

But if he did that, there'd be barely any real connection between the ghost baby and Ethan.

No, that's not happening.

I grabbed a dictionary and slammed it down in front of Ethan.

"I don't care! You have three days. Look it up yourself, get someone to help you, whatever—just make sure you have a name ready for the baby."

When Ethan heard "get someone to help you," his eyes flashed for a moment.

That night, I obediently drank my milk for a good night's sleep and lay down in bed.

My little ghost spy came scampering over, chattering away with the juiciest gossip.

[Ethan just called that other woman!]

[He asked her to pick out a name for the baby you're carrying.]

[He even said that if he can't be with her in this life, then at least his child can stay by her side.]

In the darkness, I slowly curled my lips into a smile.

The ghost baby hasn't even taken form yet, but once it does...

A bond of fate will be forged between its name and whoever names it.

Ethan, you don't have to regret not being able to be with Claire in this life.

Once the ghost baby is born, you and Claire will be locked together forever.

For all eternity, you'll be damned in hell.

Three days later, Ethan came over with a big grin, handing me a sheet of paper with the baby's name written on it.

"Luna, I've made up my mind. If it's a boy, we'll call him Lucas Bennett Hayes. If it's a girl, we'll go with Lucy Bennett Hayes."

I paused deliberately, then asked, "Why did you pick the middle name 'Bennett'? Is it because of Claire Bennett?"

Ethan's eyes flickered, and he avoided my gaze, coughing awkwardly before scolding me.

"Look at you! Just because you're pregnant, you start overthinking everything. Claire and I are ancient history."

"The name 'Bennett' stands for making promises and giving praise. I just want our kid to be clever and talented, maybe even a little performer. Why would you think it has anything to do with Claire?"

I nodded. "Guess I was overthinking it. Those names are great. The baby will love them."

Ethan asked, testing the waters, "You really think so? Not changing your mind?"

I gave him a sweet smile. "Nope, I'm sticking with it."

Feeling a sudden movement in my belly, I smiled brightly at Ethan.

Right then, a dark haze suddenly appeared between his smooth brows.

Looks like this ghost baby's grudge is even stronger than I thought.

It's already formed a bond of fate with the one it's chosen as its father.

Ethan looked pretty pleased with himself as he pulled out his phone and sent me 30,000 dollars.

"Now that Claire's pregnant too, and I've got to head to the office this afternoon, why don't you two hit the mall together and grab whatever you need for the baby?"

I tapped to accept the money, and sure enough, that afternoon, Claire showed up looking all dolled up, ready to go shopping with me.

When I saw her rocking at least three-inch heels, I put on a look of surprise.

"Claire, you're already three months pregnant, and your husband actually lets you wear heels that high while shopping?"

Claire's face stiffened, and she gave an awkward smile. "Maybe it's just because I'm still young. I've got plenty of energy, and honestly, being pregnant feels just like any other day.

"Not like some older moms, who act like being pregnant is basically a death sentence."

As she said that, she gave me a pointed look.

I let out a silent scoff. I'm only two years older than her, and I'm just 28. How does that make me some "old mom?"