Chapter 1
Six weeks pregnant.
I stood frozen in place, my eyes locked on the ultrasound report in my hands. The words stared back at me, unyielding and undeniable. It only happened once! How did I get pregnant?
A whirlwind of emotions swirled in my chest. What should I do now? Should I tell Ashton? Would this change anything? No, of course not. He’d probably think I was using this child as leverage to trap him into staying with me.
Suppressing the frustration clawing at my heart, I shoved the report into my bag and made my way out of the hospital.
A sleek Maybach was parked outside, its tinted window rolled down just slightly. Behind the wheel sat a strikingly handsome man, his expression cold and impassive. Even with the dim light, Ashton Fuller’s refined features were impossible to ignore.
A man of wealth and power, he naturally drew the attention of onlookers. But after years of being by his side, I had grown accustomed to the curious stares. Ignoring them, I opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.
Ashton remained still, his eyes closed as if resting. The only sign that he had noticed my presence was the slight furrow of his brows. In his usual deep and indifferent voice, he asked, “Is everything settled?”
“Yes,” I replied, nodding as I handed him the signed contract from the hospital. “Dr. Ludwick sends his regards.”
I had intended to handle the contract alone, but I unexpectedly ran into Ashton on my way. Without explanation, he had offered to drive me, casually mentioning that it was on his way.
He didn’t take the document. Instead, he merely stated, “You’ll be in charge of the case.” His tone was flat, almost dismissive, as he started the car.
I nodded, choosing silence over unnecessary conversation.
Obeying his instructions was all I seemed to do.
The cityscape blurred past as we drove, the sky already dimming into the evening. Strangely, he wasn’t heading back to the villa. I felt the question forming on my lips but swallowed it down. Over the years, I had learned that asking him anything rarely led to an answer.
Instead, my thoughts drifted back to the ultrasound report burning a hole in my bag. I clenched my hands together, struggling to find the right words. Stealing a glance at him, I hesitated. As always, he was distant—his sharp eyes focused solely on the road ahead, his aura unreadable.
“Ashton,” I finally blurted, my voice tight with nerves. My fingers curled around the strap of my bag, palms clammy with sweat.
“Speak.” His response was curt, devoid of warmth.
That was just how he always was. Taking a steady breath, I forced myself to say it. “I’m—”
Pregnant.
But before I could utter the word, his phone rang, slicing through the air between us.
“Rebecca, what’s wrong?”
Some people only reserved their tenderness for one person. For Ashton, that person was Rebecca Larson. His tone, so soft and gentle, was one I had never been privy to.
A moment later, he abruptly hit the brakes. “Alright. I’ll be over in a while. Don’t go anywhere, okay?” His voice was soothing, filled with concern.
The moment the call ended, the warmth vanished. His face turned cold once more as he glanced at me. “Get out.”
There was no room for discussion.
This wasn’t the first time he had dismissed me so easily. Without a word, I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as I pushed the door open and stepped out.
Our marriage had never been built on love. It was a mere twist of fate that brought us together. Ashton’s heart had always belonged to Rebecca, making my existence unnecessary—perhaps even an obstacle.
Two years ago, his grandfather suffered a heart attack and, while hospitalized, had forced Ashton into marrying me. Out of obligation, he agreed. For as long as his grandfather was alive, Ashton tolerated my presence, but nothing more. And now that the old man was gone, Ashton wasted no time in preparing the divorce papers.
By the time I arrived back at the villa, the house was eerily silent, its emptiness stretching into the night. Perhaps it was the pregnancy, but I had no appetite. Without bothering with dinner, I headed straight to my bedroom, showered, and climbed into bed.
Sleep came in restless waves, my mind clouded with thoughts.
In the distance, the faint sound of an engine rumbling to a stop broke through my half-conscious state.
Was Ashton back?
But wasn’t he supposed to be with Rebecca?