Chapter 1

Jacob Torrance and I were together five years.

Day one, he laid it out: "I'm not comfortable with too much physical affection. If that's something you need, I get it if you want to walk away."

I figured it was just one of those genius quirks, so I brushed it off. We held hands, hugged now and then—nothing past that.

Then everything flipped.

Dr. Lynn, Jacob's longtime mentor and career gatekeeper, landed in critical condition.

The second Jacob got the call, Jacob threw on whatever was nearby and bolted to the hospital.

Didn't come back till morning, looking wrecked and quiet.

We were halfway through breakfast when he said it:

"I'm planning to have a child with Wendy."

I froze. Thought I misheard. "Sorry, what?"

His tone didn't even change. "Dr. Lynn doesn't have much time left. His biggest wish is to see his daughter settle down with someone reliable. He's done a lot for me. I owe him."

I was stunned. "But... she could find someone else. Wendy can get a boyfriend or—"

Jacob rubbed his forehead, cutting me off. "Feelings don't work like that. And it's just a kid. I'm basically donating sperm. It's not like I'm marrying her."

He said it like he was talking about running errands.

I slammed my fork down, eyes locked on his. "Jacob Torrance, do you even hear yourself? We're getting married in a month, and you're telling me you're having a baby with someone else?"

His brow twitched, eyes flashing with that quiet, irritated look he always gave when I didn't fall in line. "Wendy's Dr. Lynn's daughter. She's like a sister."

I snapped. "Since when does a sister ask her brother to knock her up?!"

I couldn't wrap my head around it. None of it made sense.

Jacob flinched for half a second, then slipped right back into that blank, unbothered look.

"Nina, don't be unreasonable, I—"

His phone rang mid-sentence. He answered, and whatever was said made his face change.

"Okay. I'll be right there."

He stood, didn't even look at me, and rushed out.

The breakfast I'd made? He left it untouched—barely sipped the cream soup.

As the door clicked shut, all the strength just vanished. I dropped into the chair, numb.

When did it all start falling apart?

I kept thinking back to college—back when Jacob was this cold, untouchable guy.

Anyone who tried getting close? Shut down, fast.

People even whispered he didn't like girls. I didn't buy it.

I kept pushing, stubborn as hell.

Took three years, but he finally gave in.

Even after we got together, he stayed cold—always a little out of reach. I didn't care. He was mine.

But I never thought he'd pull something like this, not with the wedding so close.

He's the one who couldn't handle being close to women. And now? He's acting like it's just sperm, like it means nothing.

I sat on the couch for hours, waiting.

Jacob never came back.

Instead, I got a video from Wendy.

Jacob was at Dr. Lynn's bedside. The guy looked wrecked, barely holding Jacob's hand.

"Jacob, I don't have much time left," Dr. Lynn said. "I've never asked for anything, but I just want Wendy to have someone. Someone stable."

Jacob's eyes were red. He didn't say a word.

Then Wendy's voice slid in, all soft and sad. "Jacob, for my dad's dying wish... I'll be waiting in my room tonight."

My hand curled into a fist.

At the end, I heard Jacob whisper, "Okay."