Chapter 1
After Jim Upton went bankrupt, everyone started kicking him when he was down.
His first love married someone else, and for just 150 dollars, Jim was forced to kneel and bark like a dog.
His own friend said he would give Jim some money for hospital bills if he crawled under his crotch.
Just when everyone thought he had hit rock bottom, I was the one who pulled him out of hell.
I used all my savings to pay off his debts, lived with him in a cockroach- infested basement, and stuck by him through his comeback.
I even stayed in the hospital day and night to take care of his parents, getting so worn out that I suffered a miscarriage.
However, in the third year after he had made it big, Jim brought his first love, Sadie Henderson, back to his villa and showed her off in front of
everyone.
He told me, “Sadie’s pregnant, but her husband is abusive.
“So, she’s going to live here from now on.
“You are good at taking care of others, so you’ll be the one taking care of Sadie. I don’t trust anyone else.”
I burst into tears.
When he looked at me, all I saw was irritation.
“It’s just for now. Who do you think you are?
“I’m not cheating on you anyway, so don’t be so petty.”
I did not tell him I had overheard his mother in the room a few days ago, telling Sadie to take good care of the pregnancy and her grandson.
His whole family treated me like a fool.
However, I didn’t want to be that fool anymore.
And I didn’t want the baby inside me anymore.
***
When I was packing my bags to leave, Jim completely lost it.
He threw me to the ground, and the sharp pain in my knees hit me hard, but the first thing I thought of was the baby in my belly.
Jim had no idea that I was pregnant.
I only felt a bit of relief when I noticed my abdomen rising and falling steadily, without pain.
“Hayley Bronson, are you out of your mind?
“You can take care of me, but not Sadie?”
The servant stood by the door and watched like it was entertainment. They were holding the blueberries Jim had specially asked to be washed for Sadie.
Not just the servants, honestly, I felt like a joke myself.
“Jim, what do you even see me as?
“A free ride who let you sleep with her and gave you money when you
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were drowning in debt?
“A stand–in nanny who took care of your parents in the hospital more attentively than you ever did?
“Someone who pushed herself so hard for your comeback that it cost her a
child?”
Jim frowned, clearly not getting what I was even questioning him about.
He looked irritated.
“Can’t you just take care of her for three months? Her pregnancy is a little unstable early on. It’s just three months, isn’t it?”
I stared at the man I once loved deeply, and let out a bitter laugh.
“Just three months?
“Last time at the office, you made me apologize to Sadie in front of all your staff because I didn’t pick out her food for her. You even made me shine her shoes as an apology.
“You said it was just one apology.
“But I said it again and again, and who knows how many more.
“Jim, compromising like this really sucks.
“There are so many servants in this house. Once I’m gone, you can hire as many as you want to wait on your precious first love.”
I slumped to the floor, completely drained.
I just want my baby to be taken away safely and without making a scene.
Right then, Sadie waddled over, holding her belly. The servants all
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Chapter 1
stepped aside for her like she owned the place.
“Jim, how could you let Hayley sit on the floor? What if she cold?”
Sadie scolded, acting all righteous.
catches a
Jim immediately rushed to help her sit on the bed, even tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as if he had done it a thousand times before.
He did not even glance at me.
ee
It was like the past brutal years never happened. It was as if Sadie was the one who stuck with him through all of it and not me.
Then came his calm, almost casual words.
“It’s fine. She’s healthy so she can handle a bit of cold. But you’re newly pregnant. The windows are open. Can’t have you catching a chill.”
Hearing that made my chest ache.
Jim forgot how I used to load cargo every night till dawn just to help pay off his debts. Forgot how I ran myself ragged taking care of his parents until I lost my baby.
Cold is the thing I fear most now. Even in the heat of summer, I never dare to wear anything that exposes my skin.
The servants were whispering behind my back, and I could see their mocking smiles.
I pushed myself up with my elbows and silently continued packing.
Jim stepped forward, grabbing my arm, his voice tired but firm.
“Hayley, come on. If you leave now, you’ll walk away with nothing.”
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I looked at him, calm as ever, and nodded.
“Good.”
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