All Chapters of Never Again, Never You: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

I glanced down at the blurry shape on the ultrasound. Bitterness hit me hard.I thought I'd never get this chance again. Never thought I'd be this lucky.My phone buzzed. Nathan Hartley again.[I'll be back tomorrow. Don't be scared.]I was about to text back when Vivian's syrupy voice floated over."Bradley, who do you think our baby will look like?""Obviously you," he said. "Eyes like yours... the mouth..."His voice was soft—gentler than I'd ever heard.Then our eyes met. He froze."Serena? What are you doing here?"His voice turned cold, like I was the one out of line.My fingers curled around the ultrasound, the paper crunching in my hand.Vivian saw me and instantly latched onto his arm, flashing the ring on her finger like a trophy.My old wedding ring. A Vaughn heirloom passed down to daughters-in-law—until she said she liked it. Then it was hers.I didn't want to give it up. Bradley had someone rip it off me anyway. Snapped my pinky in the process.Vivian giggl

Chapter 2

Bradley snatched the ultrasound up first. The second he saw what it was, his face scrunched like it reeked."Serena Linwood, faking a pregnancy? Seriously?"I almost laughed.Some people could stare truth in the face and still call it a lie.Then, out of nowhere, he whipped the ultrasound sheet at me.The edge sliced my cheek.I pressed a hand to my face, eyes locked on him.The guy I used to love felt like a total stranger now.He used to bring me my favorite flowers, pull off cute little surprises.If I got hurt, he'd wrap me up and say, "Does it hurt? Don't worry, I've got you."Now? After the whole fake memory loss thing, he wouldn't even bother to spare me a glance.Back when I heard he got hurt, I ran straight to the hospital.But the way he looked at me—like I was dirt—cut deeper than any wound.The guy who once loved me couldn't even stand being near me.I tried everything to jog his memory. Climbed some endless stone steps to an old cathedral, begging for a mirac

Chapter 3

For two straight years, this house echoed with Vivian's stupid laugh.Pretty sure she did it on purpose—left pieces of herself everywhere.Her pink camisole hung off my favorite piano.Used condoms scattered across the couch and rug I picked out.Our wedding photo? In the trash, because Vivian pouted and he caved.I used to think he'd remember me. So I swallowed every bit of it—silent, humiliated, hopeful.Looking back now? Pathetic.Bradley locked me in the kitchen to cook meals after confiscating everything I owned.Nathan was unreachable, cops weren't an option.And if I didn't obey? I didn't even want to think about it.Last time I said no—just refused to grab Vivian's earrings—Bradley threw me into the pool.Middle of a snowstorm.The cold hit like a slap. My clothes soaked instantly.I couldn't swim. Panicked. Water filled my nose, throat, lungs.I flailed, gasping—"Bradley... help me..."But all he did was hold Vivian tighter, frowning like I was the inconvenien

Chapter 4

I helped her up, letting her hold my hand.She fussed like old times, rattling off small talk.But when she asked about Bradley, I dropped my gaze."We're already divorced. If he doesn't remember me, what's the point?"Her hand froze. Her eyes filled with sympathy."Maybe that's for the best. You've been through enough since he forgot everything."As we left, she threw Bradley a look and muttered, "You might be divorced, but don't think for a second that woman's stepping into my house."His face darkened."It's just temporary. Once Vivian has the baby, Serena and I are getting back together."I glanced at him. He was dead serious.Before he could spew more nonsense, I cut in, "I'm already married. And pregnant. So no, there's no reunion happening."He whipped his head toward me, stunned.Just then, Coraline got called away. Some hospital emergency.The second she left, Bradley yanked my hand and dragged me toward the backyard."Let go!" I snapped.He just looked more pis

Chapter 5

Nathan threw his jacket around me and pulled me in tight.He kept kissing my forehead, whispering, "It's okay, Serena. I got you."Then he looked up—eyes red, voice like ice."Who touched her?"The crowd flinched. The middle-aged woman from earlier pointed at me, yelling, "She's a filthy tramp! She tricked you!"Nathan shot her a look that could kill."Police are on the way. Slander, assault—hope you like jail."Silence. Phones slipped back into pockets.Security started clearing the area.Bradley stared at the blood on my dress, frozen.I clutched Nathan's wrist, barely able to speak."Hospital... please..."Nathan scooped me up. We were almost out when Bradley blocked us."She's my wife. I'll take her."Nathan didn't even flinch. "Maybe you forgot—Serena divorced you a month ago. She's my wife now."Bradley reached for me. Nathan dodged."Give her to me!" he snapped, fists clenched."You think you deserve her?" Nathan spat, already walking.Bradley lunged, grabbing

Chapter 6

The second he saw me, Nathan's brows pulled together. His eyes narrowed when he took in my mess of a state."Help... me!"I stumbled out of the elevator, chasing that breath of cool air.Nathan caught me by the shoulders before I collapsed."You were drugged?"I nodded, grabbing his tie without thinking.He wanted to take me to the hospital, but whatever I'd been given was too strong.That night was chaos. I just wanted to say thanks.But instead, he said,"Want to get married? I've got a car, a house—not a bad deal, right?"I was still heartbroken, not ready for anything serious.But he said he needed a wife. If I really wanted to thank him, we could get a marriage certificate.Now, lying on the operating table with anesthesia kicking in, that memory played on loop.He'd been the most unexpected lifeline.Even before I was fully awake, I heard shouting outside.Bradley's voice—raw and strained."Let me in! I need to see her!"I forced my eyes open.Nathan pressed my

Chapter 7

I couldn't figure him out.He asked for the divorce. He told me to leave.But now that I stopped begging? He looked miserable again.Still, since he wanted answers, I gave them."The accident didn't just wreck my uterus—it took the baby too. I was two months pregnant."Silence hit hard.Bradley froze, color draining from his face. His Adam's apple bobbed twice."You were pregnant? Back then?"Nathan's grip on my hand tightened, knuckles turning white."I didn't know either," I said. "The doctor told me after I woke up."And just like that, the memories crashed back.The pain. The sound of metal twisting.Blood everywhere.I was drowning in it again.I'd once asked Bradley why he didn't come for me.If he had, would my baby still be alive?Bradley dropped his face into his hands, shoulders shaking.I'd never seen him like this. He looked wrecked."It's my fault... I..."His voice was thick, buried in his palms.But deep down, I knew the truth—Even if he'd known I w

Chapter 8

He looked up at me, eyes dark, unreadable.Then he laughed—low, bitter, off."You knew I faked the amnesia. All of it. Just to get back at you."He pushed up and staggered toward me.I backed away until my spine hit the headboard with a dull thud.Bradley slammed a hand beside my ear, breath warm against my cheek."So what, you brought in some other guy to play house? Is that your revenge plan?"His forehead pressed to mine, and I felt hot tears splash onto my face."Rena, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."His hand trembled as he cupped my cheek, thumb brushing away a tear."But I loved you. Even before I realized it."He started leaning in—I snapped. Slapped him hard."Quit the act! You disgust me!"His head whipped sideways, red mark blooming across his face.Bradley turned back slowly, lips twitching like he wanted to say more."You mocked me. Humiliated me. Broke me apart!"My voice shook as all the rage I'd buried came pouring out."You used Vivian to punish me, and now

Chapter 9

Vivian's hair was plastered to her face, skin pale like a ghost.She looked wrecked—nothing like the delicate, fake version she always showed Bradley.One eye was swollen shut, a bruise blooming near her mouth.She looked up, smirking."You think you've won, Serena?" Her laugh was shrill. "Bradley's always loved me. You? Just a side piece. So what if he married you?"Smack.Nathan's slap hit hard. Her cheek puffed up instantly."Who told you to talk?"Then he turned to me, voice softer."This room's soundproof. Do whatever you need."I stepped forward.Two years of setups, lies, and humiliation came crashing down.I reached for the whip, but Nathan caught my wrist."Careful with your hand."He showed me how to hold it. How to swing.The first lash ripped a scream out of her.By the tenth, she was shaking."Bradley won't let you get away with this!" she shrieked. "He said he'd protect me!"Nathan looked down at her like she was nothing."He can't even protect himself.

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