Chapter 1

Landon Pierce stood in the doorway, drenched from head to toe, looking painfully like a golden retriever that had been left out in the rain.

The scrolling comments still lingered in my mind.

"Spoiled brat."

"Billionaire heiress."

"Liar."

"Pregnant."

"Kill her."

"The child gets abused."

My knees felt weak.

Under normal circumstances, I would've snatched the cherries from his hands, called him a useless idiot a few more times, eaten the entire box myself, and told him to sleep on the couch.

But today, I didn't dare.

I took a deep breath, my voice coming out a little strained.

"Go change out of those wet clothes first."

Landon visibly froze. He probably expected another round of insults.

He held out the box of cherries awkwardly.

"I wasn't trying to ignore you earlier. I just wanted to finish a few more deliveries so I could earn enough to buy these for you..."

My gaze dropped to his hands, pale and wrinkled from hours in the rain.

My heart sank.

For the past year, I'd yelled at him and picked fights over the smallest things, yet he had never once talked back.

"I said go change your clothes first."

I turned away, my voice tight.

Landon lowered his eyes.

"Okay. I'll go right now."

He set down the cherries and hurried off to find some dry clothes.

The moment he disappeared into the bathroom, I stared at the box of premium cherries on the table, tears threatening to spill over.

The comments had said I was pregnant. That I'd cling to him desperately, only to be killed by his true love. That my child would be abused.

If I wasn't pregnant, maybe there was still hope.

But what if I was?

[So, she is finally scared? Too late.]

[Honestly, pretending to be nice now won't save her. Landon's fiancée is already on her way.]

[I feel so bad for him. He's put up with her abuse for way too long.]

I clenched my jaw and forced the tears back.

Landon emerged in dry clothes and found me staring blankly at the cherries.

He asked carefully, "Want me to wash them for you?"

I immediately grabbed the box.

"Come on. We're returning these."

"Huh?" He blinked.

"They're way too expensive. This box cost over forty dollars. That's nearly a full day's pay for you. We're taking them back."

I grabbed his hand and started pulling him toward the door.

Landon stumbled after me, looking completely bewildered.

"You... weren't these your favorite?"

"I don't want them anymore."

I didn't dare look at him.

After returning the cherries, I took some money and stuffed it into his pocket.

"Put it toward the rent."

Landon stood there as the rain eased into a drizzle.

He simply looked at me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

He appeared little like surprise, and a little like concern.

"Carol..." he began cautiously. "Are you on your period?"