Not Your Baby Mama

The world flipped.I was drowning in grief over my baby, never realizing the whole thing was a setup.From the start."You don't need to worry. Write the report exactly how I said. The wedding's still on. Mary and Stella are sisters—once she's in a dress, no one can tell. At least Mary gets her dream wedding. I already brought the baby back. Stella will be grateful. She'll raise it like her own."A sigh crackled through the phone. "You're going to regret this. If she finds out, she'll never forgive you.""She won't."His fingers brushed over my forehead, then my eyes—gentle. Then, quieter, "I'm all she has. She won't leave. And make sure the driver's death certificate is clean. No loose ends."The call ended.He stood there, watching me for a long time.Then he left.The moment I knew he was gone, I opened my eyes.A storm ripped through me.Jack—you'd really go this far for Mary Browne.Fine.This time, I'll give you exactly what you want.Three days later, while he got

Jack got back late. One look at my half-empty room and his brows pulled tight. "Why's everything gone? Where are you going?"Then he spotted the suitcase. Panic flickered.I kept it casual. "We're getting married soon. I'm replacing stuff anyway, so I tossed it."Just like that, he relaxed. "In a couple days, I'll bring the baby over. You two should start bonding early.""Okay. But I'm not doing great. Let's get a nanny."His face hardened. "He's still little. This is when he bonds with his mom. We hire a nanny, what if he doesn't get close to you? You know my parents already have an issue with you not having kids. I barely talked them into this. You need to try harder with him."No room to argue. He'd already decided.For Mary, he ignored how I was doing and shoved his affair baby on me.How ridiculous."Maybe in a couple days," I said. "The wedding's coming up, I—""That's enough. I'll handle the wedding. You stay home and take care of the baby."I got it. I wouldn't even

Third-Person POVMeanwhile, Jack's chest tightened—like something just slipped through his fingers.He pressed a hand over his heart, unease flickering across his face.In a nearby dressing room, Mary sat at the mirror in a white wedding dress, a faint smile on her lips. Anna stood beside her.Anna lit up. "My daughter really is something. Stella? Please. Her mom was never on my level, and neither is she. The Ashfords went too far. You shouldn't have had to deal with this."Mary squeezed her hand. "Mom, it's fine. As long as I've got Jack wrapped around my finger, I'm his only wife." She smirked. "Stella can play nanny for free.""Exactly. Keep Jack close. Don't let him stray. A guy like him? Women are always circling. Don't let them mess with his head.""Relax. I've got it handled." Mary checked the time, frowning. "Seriously, what's taking so long?"She glanced outside, then grabbed her phone. The second she read the message, her expression snapped."Stella... just wait."S

Jack's eyes were bloodshot. "Stella, come back with me, okay? I didn't marry Mary. I only realized then—you're the one I love."I almost gagged."Please, just come with me." He grabbed my wrist, pressed my hand to his face. "I looked for you for three months. I think about you every second. Stella, can you forgive me?"I yanked my hand back and let out a cold laugh. "Drop the act. You love me? You staged that car crash and faked my hysterectomy. Honestly, I should thank you. If you weren't so sure I wouldn't wake up—if you hadn't bragged right in front of me and made that call—I might've stayed."I walked past him.He panicked. "No, that's not it. Listen to me. I was confused before. Now I know—I—"I cut him off, looking straight at him. "Jack, if you could just admit this was all your fault, I might respect you a little."He went quiet. Lips shaking. Nothing came out.I shook my head. "Forget it. We're done. Let each other go. You, Mary, your son—go live your life. Let me have

I hadn't even changed. My training clothes hugged every line as I stood there, facing him. Jack didn't even try to hide the way he looked at me.I know I'm pretty. Always have. That's why he fell for me in the first place.Too bad it didn't mean anything when Mary decided to put on her little show.Seeing him now dragged me straight back—three years ago, our child gone because of him. My brows pulled tight.Jack stepped closer. "Stella, you okay? Tell me. I'll help."He reached for me.Disgust hit, quick and sharp. I yanked away and stepped back."Stop acting like every woman needs saving. And technically? I'd be your sister-in-law now—if I even cared to admit it."His face went pale. A beat later, he forced a smile."Say whatever you want. I'll take it as concern. As for that idiot Mary, I'll work with you. Teach her a lesson.""You'd better mean it."He nodded like crazy. "Don't worry. I won't let her pull that crap again. I really came to apologize. Stella, I'm sorry."H