Chapter 1

The night before my wedding, I received two ultrasound scans.

One was mine.

The other belonged to Chloe Sparks, Julian Hayes's young intern.

I stared at the medical report for a long time, but in the end, I didn't say a word.

I had planned to wait until the reception was over and hand him the scan as a surprise.

Yet on the day of the wedding, Chloe walked right up to me, glass of wine in hand, flaunting a stomach that wasn't even showing yet.

With teary eyes, she asked,

"Nora, if a man already has a fiancée but falls desperately in love with another woman anyway, what do you think that woman should do?"

I smiled calmly. "If he truly loves her, he wouldn't make her wait."

The very next second, in front of every single guest, she threw herself into Julian's arms.

"Julian, the doctor said the baby isn't doing well today. You promised you'd take me to my prenatal checkup."

Dead silence fell over the hall.

I looked up at Julian.

There was no panic on his face, only tenderness as he gently stroked her flat belly.

"Don't worry. I'll take you."

I lowered my gaze and touched my own abdomen.

If he didn't want this child...

Then I didn't want him, either.

The crowd erupted into hushed murmurs.

Countless mocking gazes landed on me like icy needles, sending a chill deep into my bones.

"Oh my god, the other girl is pregnant? Why is the bride still trying to force him to marry her?"

"You can't force love. She should just let him go!"

A sharp pang shot through my heart as I watched the two of them embrace on stage.

Julian spoke in a doting tone, "Stop acting up. I'll take you right after the ceremony, okay?"

Chloe pouted petulantly. "No, I want to go right now."

Dropping his usual reserved, composed demeanor, Julian looked down at her with eyes so soft they could melt stone. "Alright, alright.

"Whatever you want."

Chloe flashed a triumphant, provocative smirk in my direction before sinking into a passionate kiss with Julian.

The scene felt so surreal it was almost absurd.

Standing beside them, I didn't look like a bride. I looked like a clown.

Realizing there was no saving the situation, the officiant abruptly ended the ceremony without another word.

Before I could even step down, Julian's mother grabbed my sleeve and yanked me off the platform. "What are you doing?

"Do you want all our friends and family to laugh at us?"

I looked at her in disbelief.

She and Julian's father instinctively avoided my eyes.

That was when it hit me—they had known all along. They knew Julian was cheating on me with his young intern, and they knew she was pregnant.

What was I to them, then?

Today was supposed to be our wedding day!

Dazed, I walked into the bridal lounge like a ghost. Julian came over, his brows slightly furrowed, and handed me a small plate of cake.

"Your stomach has been acting up. Eat something first."

His tone was so casual, as if discussing nothing more than the weather. "Chloe is just spoiled. I apologize on her behalf."

A suffocating tightness gripped my chest. Trembling, I looked up at him.

"Don't you owe me an explanation? Why her... and the baby, is she carrying your baby?"

Julian lit a cigarette, his voice chillingly detached. "There's nothing to explain.

"Infidelity happens. Nora, we've been together for twelve years. I'm bored. You're thirty-two now, and Chloe is only twenty-two. She's young, gorgeous, full of life. You just can't compete with her anymore."

Tears blurred my vision, turning his face into an indistinct smear.

"Nora."

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you.

"If you want to call off this marriage and sign the divorce papers, I won't stop you."

My lips trembled, but I couldn't find my voice.

Just then, his phone began to buzz. A glance at the screen revealed the caller ID: Chloe, Baby.

Julian looked at me, seemingly deciding there was no longer any need to hide it, and answered the call.

Chloe's whiny sobs came through the speaker. "Julian, where are you?

"My belly hurts. Will you please take me to the hospital?"

His expression softened instantly. He stood up, preparing to leave.

Instinctively, I grabbed the hem of his jacket. "Don't go..."

Julian looked down at me, his gaze turning impatient. "Nora, the baby comes first.

"You're thirty-two, not a child. Stop throwing a tantrum."

Without hesitation, he pried my fingers off his coat and walked out without looking back once.

I pressed my lips together and stared at the ultrasound report poking out of my purse, letting out a hollow, bitter laugh.

Right. The baby comes first.

But Julian, we had a baby, too.

I had thought I would give him the sweetest surprise once the vows were exchanged. Who would have thought he'd give me his "surprise" first?

Clutching my flat stomach, tears fell silently, soaking into the fabric of the sofa.

With trembling hands, I picked up my phone and dialed the clinic. "Dr. Evans, I need to schedule an abortion."