lanced from me to his phone, then back to me, the message notification still starkly visible. "Talk, darling? About what?" he asked, his voice smooth, to

dearments he'd lavished on Carson just hours ago. He walked a few steps away, turning his back slightly, as if to shield his words from me. "No, now isn't

d towards the door, already shrugging into his jacket. "You get some rest. I'll be back as soon as I can. Don't worry your pretty head abou

woman you just kissed, the supplements you're forcing me to take, or the child you'

the window. Every creak of the old building, every distant siren, seemed to amplify the roar of b

lf out of bed, drawn to the window by a morbid curiosity. Across the street, a couple from the building opposite were having a very public argument. She was accusing him of i

Get away from the window. Don't look at that filth." He pulled me back, his grip surprisingly strong. He moved to the window, his movements swift and decisiv

ht, darling? You look shaken. You shouldn't expose yourself to such ugliness." H

e. "Alexander," my voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

share, Haylie. An unbreakable bond. A promise of forever." He smiled, that charming, practiced smile. "Speaking of forever, I was thinki

ed her head in. "Mr. Pugh, there's a guest downstairs. A y

m not expecting anyone." His voice was tight, a frantic edge

d, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands. I moved towards the

"No one important, darling. Just a junior as

muted elegance of our hallway. Carson Gibson stood there, a triumphant smirk on her face. Her

exander, standing rooted, his face a mask of horror

ce dripping with venomous sweetness. She looked me up and d

to take a deep breath, to steady my trembling hands. "And who might you be?" I asked, my voice calm, almost d

t!" He turned to me, a whirlwind of frantic excuses. "Haylie, darling, this is Carson Gibson, a n

vivid red mark against her pale skin. Her eyes, still locked on mine, dared me to react. "Oh, no need for introductions, Mr.

ge. But I held it in, forcing a polite smile. "Indeed," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Wel

ourse. Come, Carson. We'll speak in my study." He practically shoved her towards his offic

r voice, low and seductive, followed by his hurried whispers. My mind raced. This wasn

emorized my favorite flowers and coffee order, was now a stranger. He had wooed me tirelessly, a whirlwind courtship that swept me off my feet. He was

ed like broken glass. I had to know more. I had to see

, tucked away in the passenger seat. I slipped into my own car, my movements precise, mechanical. The same ro

c. He helped Carson out of the car. She clutched her stomach, a wince of pain crossing h

ntly, his face a mask of concern. "Are

knocking the air from my lungs. I gripped the steering wheel,

k. Nothing to worry about. But you know, morning sickness has been dreadful." She looked up at him, her eyes wide.

ret, Carson. Our precious boy. Nothing will stand in the way of our family." He looked down at her swol

le I was swallowing contraception, he was creating a family with someone else. A son. The unspoken expecta

lt a cold, empty chasm open up inside my chest. The pain