Chapter 1

After an unexpected night with my lifelong nemesis, he refused to take any responsibility.

But fate had other plans, and I ended up pregnant.

When the test confirmed it, I packed my bags and disappeared into a remote countryside.

"Babe, it's not that I don't want you to have a good life, but I honestly don't know how to face your father," I whispered to myself.

Months passed before the Fletcher heir showed up at my rural hideaway, arriving in a whirlwind of dust and wind, breathless and frantic.

"Aurey, I've been hunting everywhere for you!" he gasped.

His gaze, however, was immediately drawn to the faint swell of my belly.

His eyes were bloodshot, exhaustion etched into his face after days without sleep, and his grip on my hand kept tightening. "You're carrying my child. Where do you think you can run now?"

*****

My name was Aurelyn Hartwell, but everyone called me Aurey.

Maxwell Fletcher and I had been at each other's throats since we were kids.

Whenever he wanted a toy, I'd throw a tantrum until I got it. And if I had a favorite doll, he'd find a way to break it.

In school, I was the one who tore up his textbooks, and he was the one who ratted me out to the teacher whenever I tried to sneak a novel into class.

He wanted to be number one, and so did I. We were always fighting for the top spot, and before long, we became the most famous rivals at Ravensburg High School.

After college, Maxwell officially became the heir to the Fletcher family. As luck would have it, the Fletcher family's biggest rival was mine—and wouldn't you know it, I ended up as the Hartwell family's heir too.

True to form, I never missed a chance to mess with Maxwell in business, and he did the same to me. He'd secretly poach my star employees and snatch up several of my biggest deals.

If it hadn't been for that party, I probably would've kept playing this game of cat and mouse with Maxwell for the rest of my life.

It was Sophie Rose's birthday party.

Sophie had watched both Maxwell and me grow up, so of course I had to come and wish her a happy birthday.

I smiled and said, "Happy birthday, Sophie! May you stay beautiful and blessed for many years to come."

Sophie beamed at me, "Aurey, you're here! Oh, I don't need to be beautiful at my age, but look at you. You're getting prettier every year. You're all grown up now."

Sophie affectionately took my hand and patted my head, her touch warm and gentle.

A low, mocking chuckle escaped Maxwell.

I glanced up and caught sight of that annoying face again.

He was handsome, with the kind of face that made girls swoon, but to me, he was nothing but the bane of my existence.

"What are you laughing at, kid? Isn't Aurey gorgeous?" Sophie smacked Maxwell on the back.

Maxwell glanced me over from head to toe. I was rocking the newest designer dress, showing off every one of my best features.

"Beautiful," Maxwell replied.

Maxwell's voice was cold. He locked eyes with me, his face impossible to read.

It was the first time he'd ever called me beautiful.

"That's more like it," Sophie said with a smile, grabbing my hand and Maxwell's.

"Back in the day, I even tried to set you two up as kids," Sophie said.

"Us? No way," I blurted out, totally floored.

My jaw nearly hit the floor. I would ever want to be engaged to Maxwell, that sarcastic, cold-faced pain in the ass.

"You think I wanted that?" Maxwell replied.

Maxwell gave me a glare, looking irritated, then downed his drink in one gulp and walked off.

"Sophie, did you see his attitude?" I whined, tugging on Sophie's arm, whining playfully. "You really need to put him in his place."

This drink was definitely spiked.

After being forced to down three shots in a row, my head started spinning and my whole body felt like it was burning up.

I could usually handle my booze. Three drinks shouldn't have knocked me out like this. This stuff was definitely tampered with.

I slumped onto the couch, clutching my head and gasping for air. The heat inside me was getting worse, and everything around me started to blur.

"Ms. Hartwell, how about we talk about that investment deal now?" a man asked.

It was Tyler Holmes, the real estate guy. We'd gone back and forth a few times, but I'd turned him down flat every time.

Tyler must've noticed I wasn't myself. He scooted closer and slid his hand right onto mine.

"Get away from me!" I tried to protest, but my voice sounded weak even to my own ears.

But my arms felt like jelly—I couldn't even muster the strength to push him off.

"Ms. Hartwell, you've had way too much to drink. Why don't you come with me to one of the private rooms upstairs and get some rest? We can talk about that investment deal later," Tyler said, his voice slick and insistent.

As he spoke, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and started to lead me away.

My head was getting heavier, the heat inside me almost unbearable. I couldn't muster any strength to fight back or break free. He dragged me upstairs, and I couldn't resist at all.

The elevator doors slid open.

A blast of cold air hit me, snapping me back to my senses. While Tyler was distracted pressing the elevator button, I summoned every ounce of strength I had, shoved him hard, and bolted.

Tyler's angry shouts echoed behind me.

My steps grew heavier and heavier.