Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Just because I blacklisted his first love’s hair salon, my boyfriend actually sent me–five months pregnant–on a hiking trip to the remote Cascade wilderness.
For a whole decade, Cassian Kemnis treated me with warmth and patience–always the perfect boyfriend.
Until he took me to his first love–Melody Merouin’s hair salon for a haircut.
His precious ex deliberately destroyed the long hair I’d been growing for eighteen years.
My modeling agency blacklisted her salon to protect me from further damage.
Never expected my own devoted boyfriend would ditch me in the freaking Cascade wilderness.
After I barely made it back–exhausted, scared out of my mind–I heard him cracking up with his buddies.
“Come on, it was just a little lesson. Does she seriously think she’s hot shit or something? Girl’s knocked up with no ring–who the hell else is gonna want her dirty bitch besides me?”
I didn’t cry, just scheduled an abortion appointment instead.
Cassian Kemnis, we’re done!
“Look at her–she’s all bloated now, and her own family’s cutting ties with her. And she still had the nerve to mess with Melody? Big fucking deal–just lost a bit of hair and pay some damn penalty fees. You don’t screw with Melody. This is what happens.”
I stood frozen in the doorway, listening to Cassian’s words, my whole body shaking.
Seven days. It took me seven whole goddamn days to get out of those mountains, filthy and soaked to the bone.
Up until this exact moment, I’d been holding onto desperate hope–praying my own boyfriend wasn’t the one who dumped me in that hellish place.
“Dude, aren’t you afraid she’ll call off the wedding if she finds out?” his buddy asked.
Chapter 1
Cassian snorted.
“Doesn’t matter if she knows or not. I’m all she’s got. Nobody else would want her used–up bitch now.
Besides, she’s crazy in love with me. Pathetic.”
His words cut through me like knives, ripping my heart to shreds.
He was so confident I’d never leave him.
I forced a bitter smile and stumbled to the corner store to borrow their phone.
“Hello, Dad? It’s me, Aurora.”
An irritated voice came through the speaker.
“You still have the nerve to call? I threw all your fucking stuff in the dumpster outside. Go dig through it yourself and don’t ever contact me. You’re a fucking disgrace whore.”
Before I could say another word, he hung up.
Cassian was right. Nobody wanted me anymore.
Even my own father had given up on me.
Ten years ago, Cassian saved me on that snowy mountain when I was ready to end it all. Gave me a second chance at life.
He said I had the most beautiful eyes.
Later I realized it was because they looked exactly like Melody’s.
He’d been looking right through me at his percious ex this whole time.
I walked out into the rain and stumbled barefoot into the hospital.
“Hi, I need to schedule an abortion. As soon as possible.”
After a full examination, the doctor shook his head.
“Ma’am, you’re severely malnourished and weak. Your uterine wall is dangerously thin, and at twenty weeks… if we do this procedure, you’ll might never have children again.”
My face went pale, my hands trembling.
Chapter 1
“Please do it.”
I couldn’t even take care of myself right now–how could I be so selfish as to bring a child into this nightmare?
The surgery was scheduled for next week.
I dragged myself home, looking like hell.
“Jesus Christ, Aurora, you look like hell. Can’t you just stay put when you’re pregnant? Always gotta cause drama.”
Cassian’s voice was mocking. His friends were cracking up behind him.
Ten years of Oscar–worthy performances. Ten years of my love down the drain.
I ignored them, just headed upstairs to the bedroom.
Funny how that oversized wedding portrait of us looking so in love is still hanging above the bed, like nothing ever happened.”
Right. I’d almost forgotten–our wedding was only in a month away.
Just another chance for him to humiliate me, wasn’t it?
Timing it perfectly for when I’d really start showing.
Let everyone see the knocked–up bride.
I checked my phone. My agent had managed to push back the three million I owed in penalties.
Now I felt nothing but bitterness.
This was it. Game over.
That night, Cassian spooned me from behind, his hand on my belly.
“You and our little one are okay.. right?”
