Chapter 1

"Mr. Callahan, congratulations! You've got a big, healthy baby boy!"

"If Ariel's having a daughter, you'd have the perfect pair!"

"Ariel probably doesn't know about this child's existence, does she?"

Several men stood in the hospital room, all close friends of Remi Callahan's. Hearing this, Remi's expression grew more serious.

"Of course she doesn't know. And none of you are allowed to say a word to her. She's in her third trimester. She can't handle any emotional distress right now."

"So when are you planning to tell her? You can't keep this hidden forever."

Remi stayed silent for a moment before speaking with quiet certainty. "After she gives birth. Once she has the baby, she won't leave."

"Will this make things difficult for you?" The woman lying in the hospital bed spoke softly.

"Remi, I never expected anything in the first place. After losing Franklin, just being able to stay by your side and give you a child is more than enough. I don't want anything else."

Remi reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Ella, I promised I'd take care of you, and I will. I just hate that you've spent the past three years hiding like this."

Through the crack in the door, Ariel Slater watched him. The face that was usually so cold had gone completely soft. A bitter smile touched her lips.

Three years ago, she caught Remi tangled up with Ella Reed, the widow of his fallen comrade, and demanded a divorce.

She wanted a divorce. Ella threatened suicide. Between the two of them, Remi chose Ella.

Three years after filing for divorce, Remi dropped everything and went south to find Ariel. When he tracked her down, he got on his knees and swore the only person he ever loved was her.

He said the divorce wasn't his choice, that he was terrified Ella would actually kill herself, and he was terrified of failing his dead friend. To prove himself, he even sent Ella to another city.

They had known each other for ten years and loved each other for five. Ariel couldn't let go either, so she gave in and agreed to remarry him.

After they got back together, Remi threw himself into making it up to her with an intensity that bordered on obsessive. She loved butterscotch candies, so no matter how hard they were to find, he'd track someone down to bring them from out of state.

She was always cold, so he pulled the lining out of his own coat to make her a thicker one. Even when he was away on assignment, he found a way to call and let her know he was safe.

But she never imagined that during the past three years, he had never sent Ella away at all. He kept her close by, stayed involved, and even got her pregnant.

Only now did Ariel realize how badly she had misjudged everything. Even with all the trust she gave him, even with all the love he gave back, their relationship was shattered beyond repair.

A few days ago, Remi said he was going on a training exercise and wouldn't be back for a month. She believed him. If she hadn't come in for her checkup and walked right in on this scene, she would have stayed in the dark forever.

The baby in her belly suddenly kicked hard twice, as if sensing her distress. She clutched her stomach and doubled over. "God, it hurts."

The pain wasn't just in her stomach but in her heart too.

A nurse passing by noticed something was wrong and rushed to steady her. "Ma'am, are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Who's out there?"

At the noise, everyone in the room turned sharply toward the door.