Chapter 1:

Skylar

The day I found out I was pregnant should have been one of the happiest days of my life.

Instead, it became the beginning of the end of my marriage.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, turning slightly as the deep red dress hugged my body. It was elegant: sleeveless, with a soft flow at the hem that made me feel beautiful, confident, even a little bold. For once, I wanted to feel like the woman Alex had fallen in love with.

“Alex?” I called softly. “Can you help me with the zipper?”

He looked up from his phone, eyes flicking over me. For a brief second, the familiar warmth returned, the same look he used to give me when we were still new and hungry for each other. He set the phone down and walked over.

His hands brushed my back as he slowly pulled the zipper up. Then he stopped.

I watched his reflection. His jaw tightened.

“You can’t wear this tonight, Skylar.”

My stomach dipped. “Why not?”

“It’s too much.” His voice was calm, but firm. “Too revealing. The way it clings to your hips… I don’t want those men staring at what’s mine.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words died on my tongue. This wasn’t new. The comments about my clothes, my makeup, the way I smiled too brightly at parties. I had learned to adjust. To keep the peace.

“Okay,” I whispered, forcing a small smile. “I’ll change.”

His expression softened instantly. He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “That’s my woman.”

The words should have warmed me. Once upon a time, they did. But tonight they landed differently in a way that made my stomach clench.

As he left the room, I changed into a softer, more modest dress. One that didn’t hug my curves.

While sliding the new fabric over my skin, my hand instinctively moved to my still-flat stomach. The pregnancy test results were tucked safely inside my purse downstairs.

‘Two years of marriage,’ I thought, a fragile hope blooming in my chest. We’ve been drifting… but a baby could change everything.

I imagined Alex’s face when I told him later tonight, after the party. The surprise, then the joy. Maybe he’d pull me into his arms the way he used to.

Maybe he’d kiss me and whisper that we were going to be a real family. That this child would fix the growing distance between us.

“Please…” I silently begged. “Let this be the thing that brings us back together.”

I grabbed my purse, feeling the weight of that little paper inside it like a promise.

Downstairs, Alex was already waiting on the couch, scrolling through his phone. When he saw me, he gave an approving nod.

“This one looks much better on you.”

I swallowed the small sting and returned his smile. “Thank you.”

We drove to the party mostly in silence. When we arrived at the five-star hotel, the grand entrance glowed under golden lights. Alex pulled up to the curb but didn’t turn off the engine.

“Go ahead inside,” he said. “I need to park properly. I’ll find you soon.”

I hesitated, fingers tightening around my purse. “You sure?”

He nodded, already looking distracted. “Yeah. Go on.”

I stepped out, smoothing down my modest dress, and walked into the venue alone.

The moment I entered the ballroom, the contrast hit me. Everything was polished and expensive. From the crystal chandeliers and soft laughter, to the scent of fine wine and perfume. This was Alex’s world. A world I had never quite learned to belong in.

I swallowed quietly and took another step deeper into the hall.

That was when I heard it.

“Skylar!”

My name rang through the noise.

I halted in my tracks. Then I turned.

And there she was.

Kate.

She was pushing through the crowd toward me, her face lighting up instantly when our eyes met. Something inside me loosened.

“Finally!” she said when she reached me, throwing her arms around me without hesitation.

For a second, I stiffened.

Then slowly… I relaxed into the hug. It wasn’t forced. It was warm.

“You scared me,” I murmured, half-laughing as I hugged her back.

Kate pulled away just enough to look at me properly. Her eyes scanned my face like she was actually seeing me, not just greeting me.

“You look tired,” she said immediately.

I blinked, caught off guard.

She clicked her tongue softly. “Don’t tell me Cecilia already started with you again.”

A small, reluctant smile pulled at my lips.

“It’s not that bad,” I lied.

Kate raised a brow like she didn’t believe me for a second. “Skylar.”

That one word carried too much understanding.

Before I could respond, she gently reached up and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You always forget you don’t have to change yourself for them,” she said quietly.

My throat tightened slightly at that.

For a moment, I didn’t answer.

Because she was right. And I hated how easily she could see through me.

Kate sighed and glanced around the hall, then back at me.

“Anyway,” she said, switching her tone back to light. “I’m starving. I’m going to grab food before these rich people finish acting like they don’t eat.”

That made me laugh a little more genuinely this time.

“There’s a buffet over there,” I said.

“Perfect,” she grinned. Then she pointed at me. “Don’t disappear, okay? I just found you.”

I nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

Kate gave me one last smile before turning and disappearing into the crowd.

And just like that…

The warmth she brought with her faded slowly, swallowed again by the cold elegance of the room.

I found an empty seat near the edge of the hall, trying to ignore the way some guests glanced at me with polite curiosity. Alex’s family had never fully accepted me. His mother, Cecilia, especially.

I sat there, clutching my purse, telling myself it was fine. I would wait for Alex so we could greet his parents together. It would feel less intimidating that way.

Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then fifteen.

The knot in my chest tightened. I pulled out my phone and called him. It rang… and rang. But no answer. I tried again. Straight to voicemail.

‘He’s probably just having trouble parking,’ I told myself. ‘Or maybe he ran into someone outside.’

But the worry refused to settle.

After twenty minutes, I stood up. The party noise faded behind me as I slipped outside into the cooler night air and headed toward the parking lot. Rows of luxury cars gleamed under the soft lights.

I spotted Alex’s car at the far end.

Relief washed over me until I noticed it rocking just slightly. Unnaturally.

My steps slowed.

That… didn’t make sense.

I walked closer, heart picking up pace. A faint, muffled sound reached my ears. Low and rhythmic. A man’s deep groan.

I froze.

No. That couldn't be…

My mind scrambled for explanations. Maybe the radio. Maybe he was on a call. Maybe—

But my feet kept moving, drawn forward against my will.

When I reached the car, I hesitated only a second before leaning toward the tinted window, palms pressing lightly against the cool glass.

At first, everything was shadows and movement.

Then the shapes sharpened.

Alex.

In the backseat.

His shirt half-unbuttoned, hips moving with unmistakable urgency.

And beneath him, her legs wrapped around him, fingers digging into his back… was Kate.

My cousin.

The world tilted violently. My breath locked in my throat as my mind screamed in denial.

No. Not Kate. It couldn't be her. I just spoke to her. She hugged me.

My hand flew to my stomach instinctively, the pregnancy test suddenly burning like fire inside my purse.

I came here tonight ready to tell him we were going to have a baby.

And he was fucking my cousin in the backseat of our car.

Alex’s head suddenly turned.

Our eyes met through the glass.

For one horrifying second, time stopped. His face shifted from pleasure to shock.

And the last thing I heard before my knees threatened to buckle was his voice, hoarse and broken.

“Skylar…?”