Chapter One
I stare at the two pink lines, my breath hitching. My fingers shocked slightly as I grip the test tighter, as if squeezing it could somehow change the result. But no matter how many times I blink, the truth remains.
I'm pregnant.
A shaky exhale leaves my lips, my heart pounding against my ribs. I should be happy. I should be excited. Ryan and I always talked about having a family someday, laughing about baby names in the quiet of the night. This should be a moment of joy. We promised to name our first son Ethan and first Daughter Sophie
So why does my stomach twist with unease?
Lately, Ryan has been different. Distant. The late nights, the cold stares, the way he barely touches me anymore—it all looks at me like a cruel whisper of something I don't want to notice
But this… this will change everything. I believe so, I tried to reassure myself silencing the small voice inside of me
I ran outside immediately. He has to know now. This might make him realise that he needs to be there for- the child, -me and our love.
The rain poured in relentless sheets as I sprinted through the empty streets, my heart slamming against my ribs. My fingers clenched around the pregnancy test in my pocket, the tiny plastic stick that held the power to change everything.
I was terrified. Overwhelmed. But beneath all that, I was happy.
Ryan loved me. We had talked about the future so many times—how he wanted a family one day, how he would take care of us no matter what. I could already imagine the way his eyes would light up when I told him.
The wind howled as I reached his apartment building. I barely felt the cold as I ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Excitement bubbled in my chest. This was it. The beginning of everything.
I reached his door and hesitated just for a moment before pushing it open.
And then my world stopped.
Ryan was there.
But he wasn’t alone.
Ashley—my best friend—was draped over him, her arms locked around his neck, her lips on his.
My breath vanished.
For a moment, I thought maybe I was hallucinating. Maybe this wasn’t real. Maybe—
Ryan’s hands gripped Ashley’s waist, pulling her closer.
A strangled sound escaped my throat. It must have been loud enough because Ryan's head snapped toward me. His body stiffened, and his face darkened—not with guilt, but irritation.
Ashley turned lazily, her lips curling into a smirk as she leaned into him, completely unfazed by my presence.
I stared at Ryan, my heart begging for an explanation. A sign that this wasn’t what it looked like.
But all I got was cold, empty eyes.
“What are you doing here, Emma?” His voice came out irritated.
I flinched like he had slapped me.
Ashley let out a slow, mocking laugh. "Guess she didn’t get the memo," she said, running her fingers down Ryan’s chest. "Ryan and I have moved on."
I felt sick. My stomach twisted violently, bile rising in my throat.
"Ryan?" I whispered. I wasn’t even sure what I was asking for—an explanation, the truth, a lie that would hurt less than this.
But Ryan just sighed, running a hand through his hair like I was nothing more than an inconvenience.
“You need to leave, Emma.” His voice was sharp. “We’re done.”
The words sliced through me, each one deeper than the last.
My body shook. “But… but why?” My voice cracked.
Ashley’s laugh was like nails on a chalkboard. “Because you’re pathetic, Emma. Always so needy. So desperate for love.” She tilted her head, eyes glinting with amusement. "Ryan deserves someone better."
Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not here. Not in front of them.
I turned to Ryan, silently pleading, begging for something—anything—to prove this wasn’t real.
But he didn’t even look at me.
Instead, he reached for Ashley’s waist, pulling her closer.
"You heard her," he muttered. "Get out."
I felt the world collapse around me.
I took a shaky step back, then another. The door felt miles away, but somehow, I made it there. My fingers trembled as I reached for the handle.
Just before I walked out, I turned one last time.
Ryan didn’t care.
He didn’t even glance my way. Isn't he gonna laugh and tell me all of these was a prank?. Why is she still in his arms?
How could Ashley do this to me?
Ashley leaned up and kissed him again, right in front of me. My heart ached at the scene. I have never believed that there would be a day like this in my life. A day I would lose the only man I have ever loved .
That was the moment my heart shattered.
I stumbled out into the cold, rain pouring over me, drenching my clothes, mixing with the silent tears that finally escaped.
I pressed a hand to my stomach, a choked sob slipping out.
He didn’t even know.
And now, he never would.
