Chapter One

Maya’s POV

“Congratulations, Mrs. Kensington. You’re pregnant.” Dr. Sarah’s voice was gentle.

Pregnant.

I blinked at her, unsure if I’d heard right. My breath caught, my ribcage tightened as the words sank in.

She smiled and glanced at the clipboard in her hands. “From the test, it looks like you’re about five weeks along.”

Five weeks.

My hand drifted instinctively to my stomach, not because I felt anything yet, but because suddenly, something was there. A heartbeat I hadn’t heard. A future I hadn’t planned for. Something tiny and terrifying and… mine.

Dr. Sarah kept talking about vitamins, no caffeine, appointments but her words slipped past me like a conversation underwater. I wasn’t here anymore. Not really.

I was in Aiden’s office, imagining the stunned look on Aiden’s face when I told him. The way his brow might crinkle first in confusion, then joy. Or would it?

It was our anniversary. I’d gotten him cufflinks. Suddenly, they felt small. Insignificant. Compared to this?

What better day to tell him that he was going to be a father?

“Where to ma’am?” Gideon, my personal chauffeur asked as I stepped out of the hospital with a wide smile on my face.

“To my husband's office.” I told him with my heart pounding. 

Aiden and I had a complicated history. We married through obligation, him in love with someone else, me hopelessly in love with him. But maybe…just maybe, this baby would change everything. 

At a gift shop, I bought a simple black mug that read: Dad To Be.

The company lobby was unusually quiet when we arrived. I walked through the building feeling like eyes followed me, then darted away.

I ignored them. What mattered was Aiden. Us. the baby.

His office door was closed. I didn’t bother knocking.

Inside, he looked up from his laptop, half-buttoned shirt, his sleeves rolled and his jaw clenched. My heart stuttered. He was beautiful. Always was.

“Maya.” He called my name coldly and I winced. I forced a smile on my face, our lives are about to change.

“I have something to tell you,” I said, stepping forward.

But he stood fast and looked very furious.

“How dare you show your face here after everything?” he thundered.

My heart stumbled. My smile froze. Wait. What?

“I…what are you talking about? Is this about the documents? I left the physical copies on your desk and emailed the digital copy to you.” I moved closer, confusion tightening around my chest.

He grabbed a stack of papers and flung them at me. I dropped to my knees and picked them up with shaking fingers.

“What…what is this?” i asked, my knees buckling.

“You tell me. These were confidential. You and I are the only ones that knew about it. Now, the Stefans know everything.”

“The Stefans? You think I told them?” my chest tightened. “You think I'd betray you?”

He sneered. “I don't think so. I know.”

Silence. 

“That’s not true,” I whispered.

“You’re fired. And the only reason I haven't called the cops is because I'm wondering if you’re worth the paperwork.”

“No…please. You can investigate. I’d never hurt you in this company. I love it. I love…”

“Thirty seconds, Maya. leave.”

My knees buckled. I tried again. “You can’t replace me overnight…”

“I already did.”

I froze. “She’s an intern.”

“You trained her. I hope she doesn’t take your evil side.”

“You’re acting like I'm a monster.”

“You are.” his voice was steel. “You handed me this company. Don’t act shocked when I treat it like mine.”

“I did that because I love you,” I said. My voice cracked.

He didn’t blink. He just turned his back.

Then came the final blow. “Elena’s back. She’s forgiven me.”

Elena, my stepsister. The curse I could never shake.

I should have seen it coming. I did. And it still wrecked me. 

He tossed another paper.

Divorce.

“No…we can fix this.”

“Sign it. Won't be here when Elena moves in tonight.”

And just like that, the ground was gone beneath me.

I gathered my things and whatever was left of my dignity.

As I left, no one met my eyes. They didn’t need to say anything. I read the judgement in their silence.

They were sure that I was a spy who had seduced their boss.

“Ma’am,” Gideon greeted quietly. He didn’t ask questions. Just opened the door.

“Where to?” he asked, glancing at the rearview mirror.

“Home,” I whispered. But it didn’t feel like home anymore. Maybe, it never has.

My phone rang and I snatched it up.

Instead of Aiden’s voice as I hoped for, a familiar voice filled my ears.

“Don’t come back. You’re no longer a Monroe,” the voice said and the call ended.

I covered my mouth and sobbed. 

What crime did I commit? Oh right…being born.