5.

The morning began with a lot of drama -bowls of cereal, missing socks, and a frantic search for a head tie. I held Noelle's hand in mine as we walked towards the car. She sat in, a kid's storybook in her hand. I kept glancing at her as I drove her to school. I dropped her off, pressed a kiss on her forehead, and watched her dash in.

I walked back slowly to the car and drove to work. I worked as a surgeon at a hospital. The hospital was chaotic in a calming way. I sat at my desk as I went through patients’ files. The first few consultations were straightforward—a post-op check and a minor fracture. I was grateful not to have too much added to what was bothering me.

I was finishing my notes when my phone rang, startling me. I checked the caller ID and hesitated when I saw that it was my mom. She knows I don’t like taking calls on duty.

The last time she called was to tell me to go on a short vacation; I doubted she was calling me for that same reason again.

I finally gave in and picked it up.

“Hello, Mom, is everything alright?”

“Zoe darling…” Her tone had this fake cheer added to it. I could spot it in an instant.

“Everything is perfectly fine. Your dad and I just had a visitor…” I held my breath. I already knew where this was headed.

“Lane came by yesterday.”

I clenched my pen tightly in my fist. He had said if I followed him to the banquet, he wouldn't bother me anymore, but he had to get my parents to bother me about the same issue.

“He wants you two back together, sweetie,” she said, her voice softening into persuasion and pity. “He made a terrible mistake; he admitted that already, and he's willing to change. I really think you should give him another chance, especially for Noelle's sake.”

I already knew this call was going to be unpleasant, but to come with guilt-tripping… I could feel my blood boiling with anger as she spoke.

“He asked for the divorce, Mom. I didn't.”

“He betrayed me, broke our vows, and asked for a divorce. He broke off the mate bond without considering Noelle back then. He never considered his very own daughter when he was walking away, and now he's back, and you really expect me to accept him back after all that?”

“He's just a confused man, Zoe,” she said it flatly as if it was the most obvious thing.

“They make mistakes, and he's willing to change. I don't understand why you refuse to see that, but that's enough reason for you to forgive him. You're not getting any younger. A divorced mom like you definitely doesn't have a chance to see someone else to settle with. This is the best you’d get”

The words hit me like a slap. It was at that moment that I felt the unspoken judgement and disappointment in her voice. It was obvious, but I’d failed to see it. She probably thought I was some disappointment. She hadn’t said it then, but it was as clear as day now.

“Mom, after everything Lane did to us, to his daughter, you and Dad decide to take his side?”

“Look, all he did was cheat; he didn't kill anyone. All men are like that to some degree. You don't have to be so proud. Noelle needs a father in her life. Let down your pride and give her what she needs.”

“I will never forgive him, mother. Not in this life and the next. Even if he's the last man available for me, I'd rather die alone than get back with someone like him.”

I ended the call before she could reply, my hand shaking as I set the phone down. A single tear escaped, tracing a hot path down my cheek before I angrily brushed it away. The silence in my office suddenly seemed to suffocate me.

Reality seemed to crash down on me. I was a single mother, and now I was pregnant with a child, and the father wasn't even aware of that.

Maybe I really am a failure after all. I was pregnant for a man I barely knew. He was nothing but a stranger, yet I had gotten pregnant.

What if he was married and I was the other woman?

The stinging familiar ache of Lane’s betrayal suddenly made my current situation feel more terrible.

Out of curiosity, I found myself searching for his name online. Hugh Sterling

He was everywhere.

Of course, he was. He was a Sterling after all.

Reports about his family business, Sterling Enterprise, came up first; his philanthropic work, endless rival companies, various magazine covers, Charity events, and all. But I noticed one thing: no children around him or an elegant, expensive-looking woman on his arm.

That single fact seemed to calm my jittering nerves a bit.

As I scrolled, I stopped on a picture. It was a close-up, probably a professional headshot for a corporate profile. This man really was devastatingly handsome. The sharp cut of his jaw, the intense focus in his very dark green eyes. His lips were slightly curved upwards into something that almost looked like a smile. It was the same look he’d given me in the dim light of his hotel suite just before he’d leaned in to kiss me.

I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks as I remembered. I immediately slammed my laptop shut.

Now was not the time. I shouldn't be blushing right now.

Suddenly, a knock on my door made me jump. I sighed as I rubbed my temple and tried to compose myself.

“Come in,” I said as I opened my laptop back up and pretended to be busy. The person stepped inside, and the air left my lungs as I stared at who it was.

Hugh Sterling. 

Why was he here?