Chapter 1
I’d been in a secret relationship with Slade Forsyth for three years when we found out I was pregnant. For the first time, I made him so happy he finally proposed to me.
It felt like all my waiting had been worth it! He finally loved me back!
But five months into my pregnancy, I stopped by the office to hand over some work–only to catch his hands all over the new secretary sitting on his lap.
His mouth was on her neck, whispering sweet words that shattered the entire life I thought we were building.
“Milly, once she gives birth, we’ll get married, okay? You’re the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Millicent Laramie.}
His ex.
The one who dumped him years ago because she didn’t want to have kids. She’d rather be a stepmom than go through pregnancy.
This whole time, Slade dated me and proposed to me just because I was the woman who’d naively do anything for him for love… even carry his child.
Giving birth for him was a convenient path to get both of what he wanted–an heir and a married life with the ex he never moved on from in the years we were together.
Turns out, ten years of patiently loving him didn’t melt his heart.
It only gave him time to manipulate mine so he could use my womb!
He could break it, but not until I made two decisions.
One: Abort the baby. I won’t bring life into the world for an asshole!}
Two: Disappear and make damn sure that asshole regrets losing me for the rest of his life!
1 picked up my phone, and without thinking twice, I scheduled the abortion. Finally, I dialed the number my heart never forgot.”
“You said before that you’d marry me… Do you still mean it?“}
“Of course.”
By the time I hung up the phone, the sound of panting in the CEO’s office had finally faded.
My fingers were cold as I turned and made my way back to the meeting room. Forcing myself to sit down, I busied my hands with documents, coordinating with my assistant while trying to suppress the nausea rising in my chest.
I didn’t know how long had passed before the door opened.
Slade and Millicent walked out, one after the other.
He had changed into a new suit, but not a fresh shirt. The faint imprint of a lipstick stain lingered at his collar.
Millicent’s makeup had been retouched, but the flush on her cheeks was still too obvious to hide.§
I stood up, ready to leave, but Millicent suddenly walked up to me with a sweet smile. “Virginia! What a surprise to see you here! Today’s actually my first day. What a coincidence!“}
I didn’t want to entertain her, but as she walked toward me holding a cup of hot water, she suddenly tripped and came tumbling straight in my direction.
“Ah!”
Glass shattered against the floor. I stumbled out of the way just in time, but she collapsed onto the table like a wilting flower. Her voice trembled, sounding pitiful and wronged. “Did I do something to upset you? Why would you trip me like that?”
The act was so clumsy, so obvious, I couldn’t even be bothered to respond.§
But Slade had already rushed over, helping her up with a look of deep concern. “Milly, are you hurt?“@
Then he turned to me, his brows furrowed tightly, his voice sharp and cold.
“Miss Aberdeen, you’re pregnant now. You’re in a sensitive condition–you shouldn’t be running around here. Just because you’re expecting doesn’t mean you can assault the new hires!“}
He didn’t even hesitate to scold me. No questions asked–he handed down the verdict that I did what the new hire said.
“I didn’t trip her,” I said weakly.}]
But he didn’t believe me at all. “You’re saying she just fell on her own?“&
Each word was like a needle, stabbing into my chest.
Looking at the two of them standing there so intimately, I couldn’t say another word. I turned away, clutching my mouth as I fled to the
restroom.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Gripping the sink, I retched until tears streamed down my face.
Suddenly, I heard a bang; the door was pushed open, and Slade walked in.
He frowned. “Honey, I didn’t mean to be harsh just now. There were employees around–I couldn’t be too obvious. And yes, you were
D
11:29 AM
my direction.
“Ah!”
Glass shattered against the floor. I stumbled out of the way just in time, but she collapsed onto the table like a wilting flower.
Her voice trembled, sounding pitiful and wronged. “Did I do something to upset you? Why would you trip me like that?”
The act was so clumsy, so obvious, I couldn’t even be bothered to respond.
But Slade had already rushed over, helping her up with a look of deep concern. “Milly, are you hurt?”
Then he turned to me, his brows furrowed tightly, his voice sharp and cold.§
“Miss Aberdeen, you’re pregnant now. You’re in a sensitive condition–you shouldn’t be running around here. Just because you’re expecting doesn’t mean you can assault the new hires!“}
He didn’t even hesitate to scold me. No questions asked–he handed down the verdict that I did what the new hire said.
“I didn’t trip her,” I said weakly.
But he didn’t believe me at all. “You’re saying she just fell on her own?“}
Each word was like a needle, stabbing into my chest.
Looking at the two of them standing there so intimately, I couldn’t say another word. I turned away, clutching my mouth as I fled to the restroom
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Gripping the sink, I retched until tears streamed down my face.
Suddenly, I heard a bang; the door was pushed open, and Slade walked in.
He frowned. “Honey, I didn’t mean to be harsh just now. There were employees around–I couldn’t be too obvious. And yes, you were
wrong to trip Millicent, but I know you didn’t mean it.“}
His tone was low and gentle, and he even reached out to steady me.”
“Just go horne and rest, okay? Don’t overwork yourself or stress the baby. I’ll come home tonight and keep you company, alright?“}
I straightened up, forced a small smile, and said softly, “Understood, Mr. Forsyth.”
His hand froze mid–air.
I had never called him that before.
I was always the clingy one–always calling him Slade or hubby.”
I hated calling him “Mr. Forsyth.” It felt so distant. So cold.
His expression faltered for a moment, like I had caught him off guard.
But then the sound of heels clicking echoed from outside. A moment later, an employee walked in.
Slade’s reaction was immediate. He flung my hand aside and his tone turned frigid again.
“Miss Aberdeen, please mind your conduct. This is a company, not your home. You can act sweet with your husband in private, but not
with me.”
‘Your husband.’0
Mind your conduct.
His words hit me like a bucket of ice water.
Just like that, he didn’t look at me again. He turned and left in a hurry–desperate to draw a line between us in front of other people.
I stood there, gently cradling the child in my belly.
For a long time, not even tears would come out from my
eyes.
