chapter 1- prologue

Paige's POV

Six Years Ago

I couldn't hold back my tears as I realized that the only boy I let into my life would be the same person to break me.

"You can't deny everything just like that, not after everything we have been through," I cried, trying to fight the truth that was staring at me.

His lazy gaze fell on me slowly from where he stood, a dark look in his eyes I had never seen before.

"Well, watch me, Paige. And point of correction, we have not been through anything together, but it was fun playing with you, though," he shot. I could feel my heart shattering into so many tiny pieces at his words.

"We need to do something about this baby, our baby," I yelled, letting the tears stream down my face.

"Your baby, not ours," he coldly retorted, crashing down on the sofa behind him as if the gravity of our situation weighed nothing on him.

"You are not really expecting me to kill our child, right?" I questioned, already dreading his answer. He had already mentioned it, so why am I expecting a change of mind? He wouldn't have even mentioned it if he had not thought about it.

"Anything you do with your child is none of my business," he shot at me, his words like a shock to my system.

"You can't deny sleeping with me, and you know deep down this baby is yours. So why are you doing all this, Jace? Why?" I cried out in pain.

"Look, I accept that I slept with you, but I definitely did not get you pregnant. Why don't you go and ask all your numerous boyfriends who released their shit into you? Maybe one of them would own up to it," he said in a bored tone. This has to be a dream, right?

"What does that mean? You know very well that I have no other boyfriend apart from you, so what are you even saying?" I asked, unable to hide my shock at his words.

"Oh, please spare me all the melodrama. Whenever you are done with all of this, you can leave and shut the door behind you," he dismissed, walking towards the bathroom and leaving me with tears streaming down my face and a broken heart.

"Just so you know, if anyone asks you who is responsible for that child you're carrying, and you dare call my name, I promise you I will deny ever knowing you. And trust me when I say, I'll make your life miserable," he threatened just before disappearing into the bathroom, slamming the door loudly behind him.

I was left alone to my fate, letting my silent sobs grow into loud cries. I should have listened to Mum.

---

I have never dreaded going home so much up until this moment. I can't face my mother like this, not after the promise I made to her. She can't relive what my father did to her with me.

"Mum, I'm home," I yelled out my usual greeting, hoping she wasn't home. She couldn't see me this way; she would know something was wrong without me even needing to tell her. Much to my relief, I was greeted with silence, which should give me enough time to come up with a plan. I should have known letting Jace in would only end up in tears-and pregnant at 16.

College is in two months, and I can't go to college pregnant. They will revoke my admission for sure, but I can't kill my child either. I will never forgive myself.

Sitting on the floor of my room, tears continuously streaming down my face, I stared at the picture Mum and I had taken only a few days ago at my graduation ceremony. She was so happy I was finally going to college as I had always dreamt. Her little princess was finally growing up. She cried so much that day I thought something was wrong, but she assured me she was fine. She was only happy with our progress and how my father's absence had not turned me into a bitter, sad child.

She has always been there for me, working two jobs to ensure I got the best in life. She can't find out about this baby. It will break her, and I can't do that to her.

With that thought in mind and a heavy heart, I made a big decision. Grabbing a box and a small bag, I packed anything I could carry. I won't let my mother suffer the same fate she suffered 16 years ago when my dad left her. And with college in two months, I won't be able to hide this baby for long, so it is best to leave.

Taking one last look around my room, I said a silent goodbye to my safe space. Mum always said I could make any adjustments whenever I felt it wasn't to my taste anymore. She always wanted me to be comfortable-and I was-but I can't bask in that anymore. I have a baby to take care of now.

Entering my mother's room, I inhaled her lingering scent one last time, basking in its comfort. Leaving a note on her neatly made bed, I tried to gather my courage. I was going out to the world all alone.

"I am sorry, Mum, but this is for the best. I love you today, tomorrow, and always. Please take care of yourself for me. I will be back one day when I am sure I can face you. You will always be in my heart, and I hope you will forgive me someday," it read.

Throwing on a hoodie to cover my face, I headed out with no particular destination in mind. Getting to the train station, I got onto a train heading south into an uncertain future.