Chapter 1

That one sentence flipped the warm mood in the living room upside down.

Lucas kicked over the chair next to him.

He glared at me, fury barely held down in his eyes.

"Ivy. Do you know what today is? And you're joking about this?"

I ignored his temper.

While my mother stared at me in shock, I carried the freshly made fish soup to the dining table and slowly sat down.

"I'm not joking. I'm pregnant. And it's not yours."

Then I gave Mrs. Romano an apologetic smile.

"I only found out a few days ago. I haven't told anyone yet."

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Romano. You'll have to find someone else for the outfits."

I looked down and slowly stirred the soup with my spoon. Then I turned to my mother, my voice calm.

"That's why I asked you to get fresh fish today, Mom. The doctor said the baby needs to eat well right now."

The living room went eerily quiet.

My mother's eyes were red, but she couldn't get a single word out.

Mrs. Romano finally sensed how tense things were. She forced a smile to smooth it over and steered her son, who still looked ready to explode, toward the door.

As Lucas passed me, his eyes were dark and impossible to read.

"Even if it's true? I'm not claiming it."

The moment the butler closed the front door behind them, my mother slammed her hand on the table.

"I know you've loved Lucas for ten years! I know! But he's getting engaged, and this is what you do? You make a joke out of your own reputation?"

"You've never even had a real boyfriend! And now you're pregnant? Out of nowhere?"

I quietly put down my spoon, pulled a medical report out of my handbag, and slid it across to her.

It said it plainly: about twelve weeks pregnant.

My mother's scolding stopped short.

She closed her eyes, exhausted.

But before long, her eyes flew open again, and she grabbed my wrist.

"Wait. Wait a second. Lucas just said even if it's true, he won't claim it... Did something happen between you two?"

"Ivy. Look at me. Is this baby his?"

I picked up the soup bowl again and took a sip with my eyes down. My voice came out muffled.

"Mom. I already told you. It's got nothing to do with Lucas."

My mother was so angry her fingers were shaking.

"Then who's the father? Who is he? You could at least tell me that!"

"How many nice boys from good families have I set you up with? And you wouldn't meet a single one!"

"I thought you'd never look at anyone but Lucas. And now you go and..."

She glanced toward the window to make sure none of the staff or family soldiers were close enough to hear. Then she lowered her voice.

"You're pregnant, and you won't even name the father? Do you have any idea what the other families will say when they find out?"

A sudden wave of nausea rose in my throat. I frowned, got up, and poured the rest of the fish soup down the sink.

My mother kept going on and on behind me. In the end, I had no choice but to cut her off.

"Once things settle down, I'll tell you. Okay?"

"He knows about the baby. He wants to step up. You don't have to worry about me."

My mother came right after me, looking at me like I had let her down in every possible way.