ella

before my brain

ay eyes made the alternative, being alone, broke, raisi

rate. He just gave one firm

. No expectations beyond the contract. You ke

ical. Yet my heart beat fast

amien moved me into one of his places, a beautiful but cold apartment with amazing views of the New York skyline

aff brought over, Damien stopped by with some documents. "Ho

it still feels like I'm living in someone else's life. Do you reall

d look united. People believe what they see. Have you thought ab

uch. This already feels like too much. Yesterday the doctor said

e. "That's part of the deal. I'll get someone to handl

o careful with me? Most men in your position

ve to be like that. You're carrying a child, Isabella. My grandchild, even if Ethan doesn

o you helps a little. It makes me feel less like I'm drowning. Do

gger risks before. The key is controlling what w

t how to explain it. 'Hey Mom, I'm pregnant and marryi

t when you're ready. For now, focus on resting. The doctor

etly. "We'll take i

d the truth

my phone started blowing up with angry texts. T

ugh the speaker. "You ran to m

e from my hand, ended the c

his place," w

o angry. Do you think he'll try something? He kept cal

e angry. He brought this on himself. Did he

asked how I could go to you of all people." I let out a shaky breath. "I wanted to tell him

had six years to treat you right. Now he's facing what h

everything back. The good times mixed with the bad. Do you ev

made his own choices. This marriage will show him that actions have real costs. Tell me

him, and he threw me away like I was nothing. But mostly, I'd say this baby will know what st

is loss. You're building something better here. Hav

few ideas. Nothing solid. This is all happening so fast. On

e. You'll need it for what's coming. And remember, if Ethan

He found me on the balcony, hands on my still-smal

y, standing beside me. Th

terrified. This feels lik

irst time, he covered my hand with h

step off

as the closest to tende

is phone rang. He liste

d the caller. "We will a

p and met

it all on fi

lowed.