Chapter 3

Maya's POV

My mind was completely clear now. Before I could even process the disgust, another text popped up.

"Where are you? Let's talk in person."

I didn't reply. But an hour later, I saw Ethan's luxury sports car parked right outside my office building.

Before I could walk past, I was dragged into the back seat. Chloe sat there, handing me a piece of paper. It was an ultrasound photo.

"Maya, Ethan and I are having a baby. You're my best friend. Surely you don't want my baby to grow up without a father, right?"

I stared at the medical report, calculating the dates. Conception had happened exactly one month ago, the night of my car accident.

That night, the rain was pouring. Ethan had told me he had an incredibly important business dinner and asked me to drive across town to deliver a file to his office.

On the highway, my car was T-boned by a drunk driver. I was thrown ten yards and lost consciousness immediately.

When the ambulance brought me to the ER, the doctors called my two emergency contacts, Ethan and Chloe, over twenty times. Not a single call was answered.

So, while I was fighting for my life in a pool of blood, they were busy celebrating their passion in bed.

"Maya, will you please be my maid of honor?" Chloe asked, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.

"I will not be your maid of honor, and I never agreed to join your sick open relationship!"

I reached for the door handle, but Ethan grabbed me back roughly.

"What right do you have to throw a tantrum at us? Have you forgotten how much you've benefited from being with us all these years? Chloe is pregnant. You shouldn't speak to her like that."

Chloe's eyes welled with tears. "It's okay, Ethan. I won't force Maya. But... we promised each other in high school that we'd be each other's maid of honor."

Her crying made my ears ring with annoyance. "You ruined my relationship, and now you're trying to guilt-trip me?"

Ethan shoved me hard. My back slammed violently against the car door, and a sharp pain shot up my spine.

"Maya! Are you really trying to cut ties with us?" Ethan sneered, his voice dropping to a threatening whisper. "Have you forgotten about the photos and videos we took in bed? Do you really want those leaked online?"

"Do you want the whole world to see your face and hear your voice on those tapes?"

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, drawing blood. I looked at Ethan, utterly unable to recognize the sweet boy I had loved for years. He had turned into an absolute monster.

"So, Maya, do we have a deal?" Ethan asked with a smirk.

I bit my lip, forcing a single word out of my throat. "Fine."

I got out of the car, a chilling breeze washing over me.

That night, I submitted my resignation letter. The next day, I spent the entire afternoon handing over my projects at work. I was exhausted.

When I finally walked out of the office lobby, Ethan was standing by his car, waiting.

"Get in. The wedding rehearsal is starting."

"A wedding rehearsal in the middle of the night?" I asked coldly.

"Isn't this to accommodate your precious schedule? You should really thank Chloe. She's pregnant, yet she's staying up late just to make sure you can make it. And look at you. You do nothing but snap at us."

"I didn't ask her to get knocked up."

The moment the words left my mouth, a loud, stinging slap landed across my face.

It was Chloe. She had rushed out of the passenger seat, her eyes flashing with rage and tears.

"Maya, I've had enough of your attitude! Who do you think you are? Do you honestly think that being my friend and dating Ethan for a few years makes you one of us? You're just trash! Dirt under our feet!"

I clenched my fists, biting my lower lip to keep from crying.

Her words hurt far more than the slap. They pierced straight into my most fragile insecurity.

I raised my hand and slapped Chloe back, hard.

"Chloe, what makes you so proud? Both of you are disgusting cheaters. The child you're carrying is nothing but a product of betrayal!"

Ethan rushed over, shoving me aside to hold Chloe. He glared at me, his eyes spitting fire.

"Maya! My child with Chloe will be born with a silver spoon. He will never suffer a day in his life, and he sure as hell will never have to live in the maid's quarters of a mansion like you did. His future is bright, unlike yours!"

Breathing heavily, I turned to walk away. But Ethan grabbed my arm. "The rehearsal is still happening. Chloe is pregnant, and you're her best friend. Even if you're mad, you've thrown your tantrum. Now, get in the car and do your job."

"Why? Why should I always accommodate her? She's the one who..."

Before I could finish, he dragged me forcefully into the back seat.