Pregnant For The Wrong twin

~ Ivy ~

The chandeliers sparkled like stars above Ivy Carter’s head, but even the glow of luxury couldn’t outshine the crack forming in her heart. Laughter filled the King Estate’s grand ballroom, yet each burst felt like a mocking echo in her ears.

She stood near the edge of the crowd, clutching a half-empty glass of champagne, her knuckles white. Her eyes burned as they fixated on the couple in the center of the dance floor.

Ethan King.

And Tessa Langford.

His hands rested lightly on Tessa’s waist, their bodies swaying in sync, their lips moving with easy laughter and flirtation. Ivy could barely breathe. She’d spent three years loving Ethan from the sidelines—listening to his problems, cheering him on, being his rock. And tonight, she thought… maybe he’d finally see her.

Maybe he’d realize she wasn’t just the loyal friend who picked him up when life knocked him down.

Instead, he’d come home from his Paris trip with Tessa on his arm—and not a single glance for Ivy.

She couldn’t take it.

The glass clinked as she set it down too quickly, her heels clicking sharply across the marble floor. Each step away from the ballroom felt like ripping fabric—like she was leaving behind a version of herself she didn’t recognize anymore.

She pushed open the terrace doors and stepped into the cool night. Moonlight bathed the garden in silver, and the distant hum of music became a muffled throb behind her.

“Should’ve known I’d find you out here,” came a voice that made her freeze.

She turned slowly, her breath hitching.

Ethan.

No—wait.

Not Ethan.

The resemblance was uncanny, but something was off. The eyes were darker, calculating. The jaw, tighter. The energy—colder.

Aiden King.

Ethan’s identical twin.

The elusive brother, rarely seen at social events, rumored to run the darker side of the King empire. He was sharp-tongued, ruthless in business, and so distant from his family that many wondered if he belonged to it at all.

“Ivy Carter,” he said, his voice smooth but unreadable. “Didn’t expect you to slip away so early.”

She turned her gaze back toward the stars. “Didn’t feel like celebrating.”

“Because Ethan walked in with your cousin?”

Her eyes snapped to him. “You don’t even know me. Don’t pretend to understand.”

Aiden walked toward her, slow and confident, like a lion sizing up its prey. “You’re wrong. I know exactly who you are. The loyal friend. The one who waited. Hoped. And got replaced.”

The words cut deeper than she expected. Her jaw clenched.

“You’re a jerk,” she muttered.

“I’ve been called worse,” he said casually. “But I’m not wrong.”

Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

“I came out here to be alone,” she said finally.

“And yet… here we are.” Aiden moved closer, leaning against the railing beside her. “Let me guess—you thought tonight would be the night Ethan finally realized you were the one.”

She didn’t respond.

“Instead,” he continued, “he brought someone else. Your cousin, no less. That’s a special kind of betrayal.”

She flinched.

He studied her face for a moment, then spoke again—lower, more intimate.

“Want to get back at him?”

Her brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”

“Revenge,” he said simply. “I’ve found it has a certain… cleansing power.”

She laughed bitterly. “You want me to use you to make Ethan jealous?”

Aiden’s gaze didn’t waver. “No. I want you to stop being invisible. To stop begging for scraps of affection from someone who doesn’t deserve you.”

“And you do?”

“No,” he said, stepping closer. “But I see you.”

The words hung between them like smoke—dangerous, intoxicating.

Ivy’s heart thudded wildly. Every instinct screamed to walk away. But she was tired. Tired of being the good girl, the patient one, the backup plan.

She didn’t answer. She didn’t have to.

When he leaned in, she didn’t stop him.

The kiss was nothing like she expected.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t careful. It was consuming—like he wanted to burn away every ounce of pain inside her. And for a moment, Ivy let herself forget.

Let herself feel wanted.

Let herself fall.

---

She woke with a headache and regret.

The hotel room was dark, the sheets tangled, and her dress from last night crumpled on the floor. The smell of cologne lingered in the air—rich, masculine.

She sat up, heart pounding, barely able to remember what happened after they left the party. Champagne, the hotel bar, the elevator, lips, hands—

A figure stirred beside her.

Ethan?

“Ivy?”

The voice was too deep.

Her stomach dropped as the man sat up, the moonlight catching his face.

Aiden.

She covered her mouth, a gasp escaping. “Oh my God…”

Aiden blinked, rubbing his temple. “What?”

“I thought… I thought you were…”

He stared at her, eyes sharpening.

Realization hit them both.

She hadn’t just slept with someone out of heartbreak.

She had slept with the wrong twin.

Before she could speak again, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, and his expression shifted—his jaw tightening, his posture suddenly alert.

He stood, gathering his clothes without another word.

“What’s going on?” she asked, shaken.

Aiden turned to her, his eyes now clouded with something darker than regret.

“You need to forget this ever happened, Ivy. For your sake… and mine.”

Then he walked out, leaving her stunned, half-naked, and more confused than she’d ever been in her life.

And she had no idea the real twist hadn’t even begun yet.