ey's

t. It was from Donovan. My hands trembled as I tore it open. Inside, I found the shredded separation papers, meticulousl

nancy and everything to do with him. My stomach churned, the betrayal a festering wound in

going through a rough patch. Don' t worry, some sacrifices are necessary for true love. Donovan and I are stronger than

ing of our newest restaurant, "The Golden Spoon." The very concept, the name, the signature dishes-all mine. Now, Jazmine stood beside him, bathed in the g

's too daring for the average investor." Or Donovan, "Jazmine has such a keen business sense. She really understands the market, the commercial via

creen. A voice message. I hesitated, then listened. Her v

orried. You know, about the baby. He's so excited to be a father. And I... well, I' m so excited to finally be a mot

ould never have provided, running off like a lunatic. Don't you think?" A pause, then a chilling laugh. "Oh,

spun. Surrogate. She had said it. Out loud. My stomach clenched, bile r

tly swollen stomach, a knowing smirk on her face. Beside her, Donovan, his arm protectively around her, a look of adoration in his eyes I had never seen directed at me.

room, collapsing to my knees, throwing up until my throat was raw and my body shook uncontrollably. I stared at my reflection in the m

apartment. I pounded my fists against the tiled floor, the pain a welcome distraction from the agony in my

onovan' s power, combined with Jazmine' s insidious manipulation, was a force I cou

iving with a ghost, Jazmine. Because that' s all I' ll ever be to both of you." I sent it.

teady despite the tremor in my hands. "

the copy Jazmine had stolen. I left behind the expensive gifts from Donovan, the designer clothes, the jewelry. They were relics of a past I was determined to bury. I looked at my

eager belongings onto the truck, I watched them go, a strange sense of lightness filling

urban street, the unfamiliar faces, the mundane routine-it was a balm to my raw nerves. I started a new job, a small, inde

risk them finding me, couldn't risk them taking my child. When another threatening text from an unknown number arrived, vaguely hinting at "consequences," I simply deleted it