a thousand miles away. The news she had just received-life growing inside her-felt both like a curse and a blessing. How could she carry a child into a world that had betrayed her s

wasn't just a reminder of her failed marriage-it was her future. T

offer her this unwavering support. But there he was, steadfast and relentless, like a constant in the whirlwind of

ered her apartment with a fresh batch of coffe

trayal had left a permanent mark on her soul, one that

erious but soft. "About what comes next.

of her stomach that was only just beginning to show. "I'm carrying Rafael's child. Th

need to realize something, Alayna. This child... it's not just his. It's yours too. And you hav

, but he was right. This child was hers as much as it was Rafael's, and for once, she had to put her

een thrust into. It had been a marriage born out of obligation, forced upon her by her own family and his. She h

ople's expectations. Trying to make others happy. And now... I'm pregnant with a man's child who doesn't

don't have to play by their rules anymore. You have the power to choose your own path. It won

ways been so independent, so strong-yet somehow, the weight of the world had crushed her spirit. She had b

isper. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to do this. To r

d with quiet determination. "You're stronger tha

none. His words were genuine, and for the first time in days, she felt a flicker

t going to let h

nbox. A single email, with no greeting, just a subj

't heard from him since the day he had discarded her. Not a word, not a whisper

ked on t

ay

om me, but I need to explain mys

af

ibly say? What could he say that would make any of this okay? He had destr

before she could hide

chest tightening.

ucien asked, his voic

om him. Part of me wants to scream at him. To make him feel everything I've been through. But

't owe him anything. Not an explanation, not your time. You've a

y. Lucien wasn't just offering her advice-he was offering her a lifel

d. "I just don't know

to touch her shoulder. "When you're ready, I'll b

on her chest. It wasn't about Rafael anymore. It was about her. And for t

m, but because she needed closure. She needed to see him, t

, she would n