Chapter 1

"I'll accept the hospital's offer. I leave for Italvia in two weeks."

Vanessa Jahn stood by the window, pregnancy report in hand.

On the other end of the call, Rob Lambert, the hospital director, sounded thrown. "Wait—what? After all this time? I've been trying to get you on board for years."

She let out a humorless laugh. "Guess it finally felt like time for a change. Anyway, I've got a lot to wrap up before I go. We'll catch up later."

She hung up. The ache in her heart lingered as she glanced back down at the report.

Vanessa was an excellent OB-GYN—respected, award-winning, top of her field. She could've gone anywhere, climbed as high as she wanted. But instead? She stayed put, kept her schedule light, made room for her boyfriend, Scott Fabel.

Three years ago, Rob pitched her this same transfer—an overseas assignment, big promotion, the whole deal. And she'd turned it down without a second thought.

Long-distance with Scott? No way.

Until today.

Scott's secretary hadn't just come in for a pregnancy test—it was a declaration.

A power play.

Scott used to treat Vanessa like she was his whole world. People would go on and on about how deeply he loved her—how he'd move mountains just to make her happy.

Their relationship had that glossy fairytale sheen, especially in the business world. She was the one who'd stood by him when he was barely scraping by. She was the loyal, steady partner behind his rise to CEO.

They used to say a man settles down with the first woman who truly loves him. Vanessa thought she was that woman for Scott.

Vanessa used to think her love story with Scott was forever. She'd spent most of her life standing on her own, never leaning on anyone—until he showed up.

With Scott, everything changed. His love felt steady, solid.

For the first time, she let herself believe it was safe to hand someone her whole heart.

Until now.

Lately, he'd been "busy" way too often. Their time together kept shrinking. Vanessa brushed it off, figuring he was drowning in work. She even felt bad for him, so she'd stay up after long shifts to make dinner, waiting for him to walk through the door.

But today, the truth smacked her in the face.

Scott wasn't busy with work. He was busy with Cindy Saun.

Cindy casually spilled everything. They'd been hooking up for a year. It started when Cindy was just an intern. No wonder she scored a full-time spot before her trial period ended—and climbed the ladder straight to Scott's secretary.

Scott had called Cindy "highly capable." Yeah, right. Turns out, he was talking about her skills in bed.

Vanessa's fingers tightened around Cindy's pregnancy report. She folded it neatly and slipped it into her pocket. For seven years, she'd been building a future with Scott, even thinking of asking if they should get married this year.

Now? No need to ask.

When Vanessa stepped out of the hospital, there he was—Scott, leaning casually against his black luxury car. The car was impossible to miss.

Her colleague nudged her, eyes wide with envy. "Ugh, your CEO boyfriend's here again. I'm so jealous. After all this time, and he's still crazy about you. But wait—aren't you leaving for Italvia in two weeks? Doesn't he care you'll be gone for, like, three years?"

"As long as I don't mind," Vanessa said flatly, already walking toward Scott.

Scott looked like a freaking ad for success—tall, over six feet, with a jawline sharp enough to cut glass. And that suit? Perfectly tailored. No wonder women flocked to him.

Vanessa didn't blame Cindy. If anyone deserved the blame, it was the guy who couldn't keep it in his pants.

When she got closer, Scott pulled out a bouquet of blue roses from the car, flashing his signature grin. "Tough day at work, babe?"

She stared at the flowers. Since last year, he'd been showing up with bouquets, like clockwork.

Back then, she used to smile and take them, thinking it was sweet. Now it was obvious— Cindy must've been into flowers, and Scott just lumped Vanessa in with the same routine.

This time, she didn't take the bouquet.

"That's for younger women. I'm past that."

In a twisted way, Vanessa felt thankful to Cindy. Without her, Vanessa would've stayed blissfully clueless.

Because one thing was certain—Scott would've never walked away on his own.

But love poisoned by lies? She wasn't sticking around for that.