Chapter 1

Even then, Ambrose Sinclair's friend was still trying to reason with him. "Talitha's a good woman. Why are you doing this to her? You're really not planning to have kids with her?"

"I don't love her, so it's better if we don't have kids. I'm already spending the rest of my life with her. I have nothing left to give."

Ambrose spoke gently, but each word struck like a blow.

His friend pushed further. "What happens if she finds out you're the one who destroyed her family? How do you expect her to live with that?"

"I don't care. I just want Nell to be happy. If Talitha were still the Fanning heiress, Nell could forget about marrying Kendrick," Ambrose replied. His tone was devoid of guilt.

I wanted to confront him—to ask how he could be this cruel, to ask how he could lie to me like that. But I couldn't make a sound. It was as if my throat had clamped shut.

My hands moved to my stomach on their own. I was already one month along. And yet, the child's father didn't want it.

I had imagined, so many times, how thrilled Ambrose would be when I told him. Now, though, that joy felt like a sick joke. It was a cruel twist of fate that cut deeper than I ever thought possible.

Maybe I had already cried too much. But right then, I couldn't shed a single tear.

It wasn't until the sound of footsteps faded that I slowly opened my eyes.

When Ambrose walked back in, the same gentle smile was on his face. It was as if nothing had happened.

"Tali, you're awake. Are you thirsty?" he asked.

I didn't say a word, so he continued, "I was thinking we could get away for a bit. Maybe go to the beach. You seem really worn out lately."

As he spoke, he handed me a cup of chamomile tea. It was the right temperature, exactly how I liked it.

Ambrose's eyes brimmed with concern. He knew all my habits and always found a way to soothe me.

Back when Kendrick Thorne had turned his back on me 77 times, Ambrose kept proposing without hesitation.

I thought he loved me, and that no one could ever love me more. But in truth, it had all been an act.

"I don't want to marry you anymore," I stated.

Panic flickered in his eyes at that. He reached for my arm, flustered.

"Why? Did I do something wrong? I promise, I'll never do it again."

Then, he pulled out a small box from his pocket. "Look! I had our wedding rings custom-made. Please, don't be upset."

I wanted to speak. However, the only thing that came was tears.

"Tali, talk to me. What's wrong? You're scaring me," he pleaded. He pulled me into his arms.

I could hear his heartbeat against my ear. Just as I began to calm down, his phone rang.

It was none other than Nellie White.

In an instant, everything inside me collapsed again.

Ambrose released me and stepped back before answering. Moments later, his expression darkened.

"Something came up at the hospital," was all he said.

With that, he grabbed his jacket and rushed out the door.

I stared at the ring he'd left on the bed. It was shaped like a four-leaf clover—Nellie's favorite design.

So, was it ever really meant for me?

No. Just like Ambrose's love, it had never belonged to me.