Chapter 3

Early the next morning, I opened the door and there she was—Nina curled up on the floor. Shane stood right behind her.

She looked up at me, angry and hurt. "Felix, what's wrong with you?! You changed the passcode! Do you know how long I waited here? And why didn't you come to the hospital last night?"

I looked down at her, cold. "Why would I come see you?"

She froze. Then her eyes turned red, tears spilling over. "What are you saying? I got hit by a car bringing you dessert. The baby's gone. And you're asking me why?"

Her voice cracked. "That was our baby!"

The shouting pulled the neighbors out. Not knowing the full story, they started pointing at me.

"You've been together this long. You should've gotten married already."

"She miscarried for him, and he's acting like this?"

"I heard he's a CEO. Didn't expect him to be this cold."

"So he just used her and tossed her aside?"

Through her tears, Nina turned to the neighbors like she was defending me. "No... Felix isn't like that. We love each other. Please don't say that about him..."

Then she turned back to me, looking wronged. "Felix, are you blaming me? For losing our baby? It's okay... we can try again."

Before I could answer, Shane swung.

His fist caught my face hard.

His eyes were bloodshot. "Are you even a man?! Do you know what she went through? She was alone in that hospital bed, scared out of her mind—and you didn't even show up! Are you trying to run from responsibility?!"

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth.

Then I hit him back.

He dropped instantly.

I didn't train for nothing.

I pointed at him. "You want responsibility that bad? Take it."

Nina looked flustered but didn't move to help him up. "Felix, I told you—Shane and I are just friends. Nothing's going on.

"He came last night because you wouldn't open the door and he was worried. You're my boyfriend. Instead of thanking him, you hit him. How could you?"

Before I could respond, Kenny showed up—with a group of real estate agents.

"Mr. Fitzroy, they're here to take photos for the listing."

I nodded and stepped aside. "Go ahead."

Nina suddenly rushed over like she'd lost it and grabbed one of the agents. "What are you doing?!"

Startled, he answered, "Mr. Fitzroy is selling the house. We're here for photos."

She snapped her head toward me, confusion flashing across her face. Then it twisted into something else—hope.

"Felix... you're selling this place to buy a new one for us, right?" She sniffled. "I know you feel guilty. That's why you didn't come see me. I'm not blaming you... maybe it just wasn't the right time for us and the baby..."

Guilty?

I let out a laugh.

I walked to the door and dragged her luggage outside. "I just think this place feels dirty," I said flatly. "I don't want that kind of mess around me.

"Nina Pringle. We're done."

Her face went white. She stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "D-Done? What are you talking about? I must have heard you wrong. We were about to get married..."

She reached for me.

I shoved her off and pulled up the video from the hospital. "You're disgusting. Still trying to deny it? You lived off my money, spent it on your side guy, and seriously thought I'd never find out?"

Nina shook her head, struggling to get the words out.

I hit play and cranked the volume all the way up.

I wanted to see how shameless she really was.