a's

er the doorbell. The cool morning breeze felt heavy against my skin, and

played Kian's words in my

e. But what other choice d

o think. I'd stared at the ceiling till dawn, weighing every possible outcom

eart whispe

ly ready

him? Pretend

her... What if he tur

ent a chill d

ybe I should just leav

ed in my mind-his rage, his cruelty. I cou

If he found out about th

innocent life inside

No.

appen. I have to d

stant and kind. Nothing compared to

o be together forever, it's just one yea

I have to do t

ves. Almost immediately, the door opened, revealing a lady dres

a?" she asked, sm

mall, uncertain. "Y

she said. "I'll g

ll glass windows spilling sunlight across pristine marble floors, elegant art framed on the wall

line, until the sound of footsteps echoed. I looked up to

of his chest and abs, and loose joggers. He looked like h

fident, and handsome, unlike Ryan. My stomach twisted, and for

en thinking? I wasn't supposed to

can't think this way about Kia

d looked away, forc

ng onto mine. "You're here," he said, calm

g. "Yes... yes," I finally said, though my voice barely c

nod, his face unre

lled out a cream envelope and returned to the center table. I

ir between us felt heavy, like it carried

ook it with slightly trembling hands,

skimmed the first line, my heart beating faster

r emotional e

re to third

ect in publ

d ten million dollars

: Thirte

ths?" I glanc

is 3 months old, we'll separate

edge of the paper, over and over. Each clause felt like another

an also use this opportunity to seek

ith Kian, it'll hurt him deeply and sha

I'll

pen. My fingers

in. One b

n I sig

ng inside me shifted. The

then looked up at me. "Congr

eak smile, my

he sound of tires screeching

A

t doors

hundered. "Where'

an cold. T

y

ill, my e

azing, face twisted with rage. My entir

t-h

ound out

find out

is expression hardening into tha

he saw me sitting there, papers spr

e bellowed, char

been planning, huh? You

Ryan," he said evenly. "You stopped bei

is temple. "And so what?! You think you

out!" Ki

where without my w

i

ead

insane. What

take me back? I'm defin

sture stiffened. His calm de

flickering across his

this isn't real. You'r

shaking in my bones. But I straightened, fo

n. I am d

changed. His

this. You know I was sick,

ghtened. Th

at everyone, including me. For three years, I'd lived with his pain and his cruelty, trying to be u

my voice trembling but

ing to seethe, I could fe

tely. "Please, Aria. I can chang

g. "Don't you dare call this baby yours! You

flashing across his face

spat. "He'll use you...toss you

voice was low, da

t between us! She's my wife!" he roared,

to my mouth

ia

e punched back, the forc

an't you see she doesn't

ainst the wall, eyes wide with dis

ke what's mine and I won't le

ts flying, furniture crashing. Years of anger, je

ing in my ears. "Stop it!" I cr

idn't

and slapping Ryan hard across the fac

aring at me

more, Ryan. I want to be with Kian. So sto

ne had ripped the gr

ak, a cold, sharp voice

ith Kian? Aren't you even ashamed? You dumped your husban

my breath

o.

rted to th

n a tight top and a short skirt t

s this

eart

r obstacle ju