From Here, No More Us

Harbor City, CarmoriaIan froze. Leah was crying—he almost reached for her. Then his phone buzzed."Ian, get back here right now! Cecilia just swallowed a whole bottle of sleeping pills—she's trying to kill herself!""What?!"He slammed the brakes, swerved onto the shoulder."Leah, wait at the rest stop. I'll be right back."Rain pounded the windshield. She didn't move.Next thing—he was yanking her seatbelt off, shoving her into the storm."This isn't the time for your drama! Someone's actually dying—why do you have to be so selfish?"She hit the ground hard. Mud soaked her dress. Rain slapped her face.Then he was gone.Her heart? Torched.Flashes of the past hit her hard.First time? Rumors at school. Everyone iced her out—until Ian tracked down the person who started it and shut it down.Second? Some creep of a landlord tried something. Ian beat him up and moved her out that same night.Third? Some unstable guy shoved her into a frozen lake. Ian didn't even hesitate—

When Ian brought Cecilia home that night, he hesitated. Leah was eating alone.She used to wait up for him, no matter how late. He'd told her not to—she never listened.Now? Watching her eat solo like it was nothing, something twisted in his chest. He opened his mouth to say something, but Cecilia tugged his arm."Ian, should we tell Leah about tomorrow's plans?"He turned to her. "Doctor said she's too tense lately—it might mess with the IVF. She needs to chill. She likes diving, so we're going."Leah stood up, headed upstairs. "Go ahead."She wasn't about to play along with their charade.Ian caught up before she could shut the door, yanking her hand hard. "Leah, I know you hate the IVF thing, but Cecilia's innocent! Why are you taking it out on her?"She dropped her gaze. The cut on her finger split open under his grip, bleeding through the bandage.All she'd said was no—and he was already jumping to defend the woman he loved."Ian, she's your sister-in-law. Your brother's

Leah had no clue how long she'd been wandering outside the hospital.By the time she got home, it was past 3 a.m. She didn't bother with the lights. As her hand brushed the doorknob, she froze.Sobs. Quiet ones. From inside."Ian, this is wrong. It's all my fault. We can't keep doing this!"Their clothes were already a mess on the bed. Cecilia's face was flushed, breath heavy with booze. "You're his brother. I can't—this isn't right! It was supposed to be IVF. Just IVF!"She tried to sit up. Ian caught her.He tensed, went quiet. Then, low and tight— "Cecilia, actually, I—"Leah stared at the floor outside the door.He wasn't gonna say it.Cecilia was his sister-in-law. He was still married.And none of that seemed to matter.His voice stayed flat, like he was talking business. "The doctor said IVF works, but natural's faster. We're both still young..." His hand slid to her waist. "Just think of me as Andrew."Cecilia shivered. "Ian..."Then came the breathing—slow, heavy,

Leah saw Cecilia move and bolted down the stairs.Then—bam. A hard shove straight to the back.She flew forward, no control, slamming stair after stair until she crashed at the bottom."Leah!"Ian's voice. Panicked. Too late.He stood frozen in the doorway, bag of dried fruit hitting the floor as he finally sprinted over."Ah—!"But before he could reach her, Cecilia dropped like a drama queen, grabbing her stomach."Ian, it hurts! My stomach—take me to the hospital!"He froze. Eyes flicked between Leah, bleeding and broken, and Cecilia, flopping around like she was nine months pregnant.Cecilia wailed again—louder this time.Ian hesitated maybe a second—then rushed right past Leah, scooping up Cecilia. "Leah, don't move! I'll take Cecilia first—I'll be right back!"Door slammed.Blood spread fast.Panic slammed harder."Ian! Ian!" Her voice cracked, raw.She sobbed, clutching her stomach. 'My baby. My baby.'Ian paused. Just for a second. Her face—bruised, battered, s

At five a.m., Ian shot up, heart pounding. He had to see Leah. Now.He made a beeline for the guest room, hand on the doorknob—then froze.She'd just lost the baby. And she still didn't know they'd taken her uterus, too. No more kids. Ever.What if she found out?Nope. He shoved the thought aside. It'd be fine. He and Cecilia had a baby on the way. Leah was sweet—she'd totally raise it like her own.He pushed the door open. "Leah, are you feel—"Stopped cold.The room was empty. Stripped clean. No trace she'd ever been there.He bolted to the bathroom. She had to be in there.Swung the door open—clean. Empty.Panic shot through him. 'Where did she go?'He snatched his phone. Called. Straight to voicemail."The number you've dialed is powered off."His stomach dropped.He turned and ran straight into Cecilia.She blinked. "Ian, what's wrong?"He grabbed her arm. "Did you see Leah?""Leah?" Big innocent eyes. "No. Why?""She's gone. I can't find her!"And there it was—