Chapter 1

They scheduled the procedure for that afternoon.

I was two months pregnant, and the baby was perfectly healthy.

Dr. Peter Warren frowned at me. "Dr. Vance, are you sure about this? It wasn't easy for you to get pregnant. Don't you want some time to think about it?"

I said nothing. My chest felt so tight I could barely breathe.

He was right. Getting pregnant hadn't been easy. Years ago, I'd gotten pregnant during a war between the family and its enemies.

While we were escaping, I fell and lost the baby.

After that, I couldn't get pregnant again.

I tried everything. Nothing worked.

Then, two months ago, I got pregnant when I least expected it.

I still remembered the joy I felt when I saw the test result.

My eyes drifted toward the hallway. Colton was there, supporting Beth with one hand while holding a glass of water to her lips with the other.

"When the baby comes, I'll give him the family crest," he told her gently. "Don't worry. I'll give him everything."

His face was full of warmth and tenderness.

I slowly let out the breath I'd been holding and turned back to Peter.

"I've decided. Go ahead with the procedure."

Peter finally gave in and scheduled me for surgery.

As I waited, my heart pounded against my ribs. My fingers tightened around the ultrasound image, and my lips went pale.

I'd once stood in this very hospital holding an ultrasound image just like this one, imagining my child's future. I never thought that future would end so soon.

Even my own mother had helped them deceive me.

But maybe I shouldn't have been surprised. I looked more like my father than anyone else did. He was a cheating gambler who used to beat my mother, and she had always hated him.

Beth, on the other hand, was practically her twin.

Mom had favored her since we were children.

Of course she would choose Beth now. She probably hadn't even hesitated.

Before Colton and Beth could leave the hospital, my phone rang.

It was Colton.

"Darling, I have to go to the office tonight to handle something for the family. I won't be back at the estate. Get some rest."

"Fine," I replied coldly.

Through the window, I watched him help Beth down the hospital steps.

Her pregnancy was already showing.

When she struggled to get down the steps, Colton crouched, swept her into his arms, and carried her.

He'd carried me like that once. I'd sprained my ankle, and he'd laughed as he picked me up, promising that from then on, he'd carry me whenever my feet hurt.

I'd kissed him on the cheek, certain I was the luckiest woman alive.

It had never occurred to me that those arms might hold someone else the same way.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from them.

Then, as if he sensed me watching, Colton looked over.

Our eyes met across the crowd. His entire body stiffened.

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Beth pouted. "What is it? Come on."

Colton mumbled something, tore his gaze away from me, and smiled warmly at her.

By the time he looked back, I was gone.

I had already walked into the operating room.

Before I lay down on the table, I turned off my phone. The pain left me trembling, but all I could think about was Colton.

I didn't know how much time had passed when I finally woke up.

Outside, the sky was already growing dark.

I turned my phone back on. The screen showed 12 missed calls.

Every single one was from Colton.

I didn't call back. Instead, I booked a ride and went home alone.

The moment I opened the front door, I froze. Colton, who was supposed to be at the office, was waiting for me in the living room.

His brows drew together, and panic flashed across his face when he saw me.

"Where have you been? Why are you getting home so late? Our wedding is next month. What are you doing running around?"

I met his eyes without a trace of emotion. "I just came from the hospital."