LOGINThe silence on the line was heavy, but it wasn’t the anger Zayn had expected. When his grandfather finally spoke, his voice was calm, and filled with deep concern."Zayn, think about what you're saying. Jane told me she is pregnant... and this isn't just about feelings. This is about responsibility. A lifetime commitment is starting, whether you stand at an altar or not."Zayn closed his eyes, feeling the weight of that truth. “I know. I’ll be responsible. I’ll provide for the child, I’ll be there. But, Grandpa… I can't give her a lifetime. I can't marry her. It would be a lie. For both of us."His grandfather sighed wearily. “ People already know about your engagement. How can the one you love be at ease when there’s a chance they’ll be labeled a homewrecker in the future ? Her reputation will be ruined...what about Jane's family? What would they think of us?""I'll handle it," Zayn interrupted firmly now. "I'll face them. I'll take the blame, the scandal. All of it. But I won't sign
Unable to bear it anymore, Zayn fumbled for the ignition key, his vision blurring. He had to leave immediately.But as he shifted the car into drive, he saw Finn lean in, saying something to Mandy. He then gently guided her back toward the open door of the mansion. Axel who was still perched in Finn’s chest, waved a small hand to the delivery guy who drove off. They disappeared inside together, the door closing softly behind them, locking in the perfect scene.That was it, Zayn thought, the finality crushing him. It was over.But it wasn’t.A moment later, Finn stepped back out alone onto the porch, pulled out his phone, put it to his ear, and stared directly down the dark, tree-lined drive.Right at Zayn’s car.A second later, Zayn’s own phone vibrated violently in the cup holder, lighting up the dark interior. The screen glared: FINN.His blood ran cold. He looked from the phone to the distant, shadowy figure of his friend.With a trembling hand, Zayn answered, but he didn’t speak
Mandy shut her eyes tight, trying not to lash out.But the scent of his cologne— something familiar now tainted by memory— enveloped her. His chest was warm against her back, his breath stirred her hair. It was an intimacy that belonged to a different lifetime, one that felt like a violation now."Let go of me," she said coldly."I just… I need you to hear me," Zayn murmured into her hair, his voice ragged with an emotion she refused to name. "I need you to understand how sorry I am. Seeing you hurt, seeing your son cry because of me…"Mentioning Axel snapped her out of it. A fierce, maternal fire flared in her chest."You don’t get to talk about my son's reactions." she hissed. She didn’t struggle wildly; that would give him power. Instead, she brought her elbows down hard against the circle of his arms, breaking his hold. She spun around.Her eyes were still cold. "You have no right to care about me or him. And I don't need your apology. It doesn’t un-hear those words." She rubbed h
A wide, breathless grin broke across Aiden's face. He stepped forward, closing the little distance between them and pulled her into a tight embrace, lifting her off her feet. He buried his face in her hair. "My gorgeous, big baby," he whispered against her ear.He set her down, his hands still on her waist, his eyes shining with mischief. “Actually, baby,” he murmured with a soft grin, "I want to be a dad of ten."Alina stared at him, her eyes widening in shock. Then she rolled her eyes so hard it looked like it hurt, let out a short, exasperated breath, and simply walked past him.She headed straight for the exit without another word, leaving Aiden standing there with his hopeful smile still on his face.He chuckled, shook his head, and scooped Raelynn up into his arms. "Come on, team. Let’s go before she actually kills me."They followed Alina out to the car. Her mind was replaying his words— dad of ten— on a frantic, dizzying loop as she slid into the passenger seat. Aiden helped t
The silence in the grand living room was deafening. Zayn stared at Finn for a long moment, unsure of what to say no matter how he turned it over in his mind.The silence stretched on a bit longer, and Finn raised a brow at him."So, what do you say? Not sure?""You love her?" Zayn finally choked out, the word sounding foreign and corrosive. "You met her not long.""I knew the moment I saw her five years ago," Finn replied calmly. “I've just been waiting for the right moment to introduce myself, actually."Zayn felt the last pillar of his old life crumble."Like I said. Search yourself." Finn said again. "And then, whatever you find… Let me know. If you still like her, then I'll take a step back... if not, stay out of my way.""You want me to search myself that bad?" Zayn’s muttered, backing his friend.... "Fine. I saw her. It was… a shock. It brought up old memories, stupid college feelings that never went anywhere. That’s all it is." He turned back and looked directly at Finn. "The r
Back at their penthouse, the silence was suffocating. Jane stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, her reflection showing the stark red marks on her cheek. Zayn closed the door softly behind him, running a hand through his hair in frustration.“What really happened in there, Jane?” he asked tightly. “I know Mandy wouldn’t have started the fight. And yet, without question, I sided with you. What the fuck is wrong with you?”She didn’t turn around. “Are you defending her now? The proof is on my face, on my skin. Or are you only capable of seeing her?”Zayn ran a hand over his face. "Jane, that’s not…"“I saw how you looked at her, Zayn. Stop acting like I’m someone you can fool.” She finally turned, her eyes blazing with hurt and fury. “But just know this; I’m your fiancée. We’re getting married in a few months. And it’s a miracle I didn’t miscarry from the stress tonight… because honestly, if that had happened, I would have been the one to end her existence.”His brows knit together in s







