IRE

c filling the hallway of the free clinic. I clutched

of the apartment, searching on my phone for the ne

her into the exam room, my legs fee

toms and then arranged for the tests. Eve

ession gentle. "Congratulations, Ms. Riggs,"

d so ironic. I felt the whole worl

unable to process her instructions. My mind was stuck on a single thoug

oise of the New York streets washed over me like a

ously moving to my still-flat stomac

ecame crystal clear. I would rai

l apart. I had to be strong for this baby. I made a decision.

phone buzzed. It was a news alert

d His New Princess: Hale Jones and Socialite

it open. A high-definition pho

ust the necklace on Angelique. She wore an emerald green gown, her platinum

ss I had never seen before. His fingers gently touche

two years. He gave it all to another

hat man. He simply chose

ng. The courage and determination I ha

gan to sob, no longer able to hold it in. P

a text message from my bank, a

The exact same amount as

, he was settling our account for good. My fingers gripped th

tears and

cture on my phone,

app, found the trans

d the name "Hale," held it down,

stared at the em

to myself, "Claire, from now on, yo