20. Hailey

CHAPTER 20

HAILEY

I t doesn’t matter how long I stare at the ceiling. The answers and the assurance I need still don’t come.

Gilded trim gleams in the late-morning sunlight streaming through the windows, but the beauty is lost on me. My hand drifts to my still-flat stomach, and a wave of longing crashes over me.

I need to talk to someone. And not just anyone. An ache for my best friend, the person who gets me in ways no one else can, fills me.

I need Millie.

Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I’m about to hit call on her name, but then I remember we’re thousands of miles apart. Quickly, I calculate the time difference. It’s still too early to call her in New York. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I toss the phone aside.

Luca’s reaction to the pregnancy replays in my mind, his shock and disbelief a hot knife to my heart even now. I can’t blame him, not really. This isn’t something either of us planned for or expected.

But still, a small part of me had hoped for… more. A glimmer of excitement, maybe even happiness.

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the unrealistic thoughts. Luca is a prince, soon to be a king. His life is complicated enough without throwing an unplanned pregnancy into the mix — and a pregnancy with a woman he’s not even in a relationship with, at that. I can’t expect him to be thrilled about this.

A soft knock at the door interrupts my spiraling thoughts. “Come in,” I call out, pushing myself up to a sitting position.

A maid enters, carrying a silver tray laden with food. The aroma of roasted chicken and freshly baked bread fills the room, making my stomach growl. She sets the tray on the bed beside me, and I notice a folded note tucked beneath the plate.

“Thank you,” I say, offering her a smile. She nods and exits the room, closing the door softly behind her.

As hungry as I am, I leave the food to wait for a moment more and instead unfold the note, my heart rate picking up as I recognize Luca’s bold handwriting.

Hailey,

Please meet me in my study after lunch. We have much to discuss.

Luca

I stare at the words, a sense of unease settling in my gut. The formal tone, the brevity of the message — it doesn’t bode well. I set the note aside and pick at the food, my appetite suddenly gone.

What could he want to discuss? Is he going to ask me to leave? To keep the pregnancy a secret? The possibilities skitter through my mind, each one more distressing than the last.

I force myself to take a few deep breaths, trying to calm my frayed nerves. Whatever Luca has to say, I’ll deal with it. I have to, for the sake of our baby.

But as I finish my meal and prepare to meet him, I can’t shake the feeling that everything is about to change once again, and not necessarily for the better.

My stomach in knots, I freshen myself up and take the long journey through the palace, with its never-ending halls and countless doors. Too soon, I’m in front of Luca’s study, where I take a deep breath and knock.

“Come in,” he calls, voice muffled through the heavy wood.

I enter the room, my heart pounding away in my chest. Luca is sitting behind his desk, his expression unreadable, but his blond hair is sticking out to the sides like he’s been raking his fingers through it — or grabbing at it in frustration. He gestures for me to sit in one of the chairs opposite him.

I sink into the plush leather, trying to appear calmer than I feel. “You wanted to see me?”

Luca nods, shuffling some papers on his desk. “Yes. We need to discuss your living arrangements.”

I frown, not expecting this topic — or the sudden formality, when just an hour ago he was in my room holding me in his arms. “My living arrangements?”

And why does he seem more interested in whatever’s on those papers than in me? We just found out I’m expecting his child! Surely he can put aside whatever busywork he has for a few minutes.

“I think it would be best if you moved into the palace, at least for the duration of your pregnancy, if not… longer, more permanently.” Finally, he puts the papers down and looks at me.

My eyes widen in surprise. “Move into the palace? But why?”

He sighs, leaning back in his chair. “The public has had enough turmoil lately with the loss of my father. I think it’s best if we keep your pregnancy a secret, at least for now. If you stay here, it will prevent… further tongue-wagging. Especially since we were photographed together in the garden, this is exactly the kind of story my political opponents are looking for in order to bring me down.”

I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. Keep my pregnancy a secret? Like it’s something to be ashamed of?

“I see,” I manage to say, my voice tight. “And what about my job? My life in New York?”

He slides a document across the desk. “I’ve taken care of that. You’ll receive a generous stipend, enough that you won’t need to work ever again. As the mother of my child, you and the baby will be set up for life. You will have more than you need. And I’ll make sure your rent in New York is paid for, whether you wish to see the lease out and then move here or… return there.”

I stare at the contract in front of me, a bitter taste in my mouth. Is this what he was doing the rest of the morning? Having his personal lawyer draw up a contract in order to buy my silence?

It’s the opposite of what he gave me in my room earlier. The financial support is there, sure, but that pales in comparison to what I really want: him. His heart, his genuine compassion.

Where is the arm around my shoulder? The promise that we’ll figure this out together, that he’ll stick by my side?

Apparently, his idea of being there for me equates to regular deposits into my bank account.

He’s thought of everything, it seems. Everything except my feelings. He’s treating this like some sort of business deal.

“So that’s it, then?” My voice shakes with anger. “You’re just going to pay me off and hide me away like some dirty little secret?”

His expression hardens. “It’s not like that at all. I’m trying to do what’s best for everyone.”

I stand abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. “No. You’re doing what’s best for you . For your precious image.”

I snatch the contract off the desk, crumpling it in my fist. “You can take your contract and shove it up your ass, Your Royal Highness.”

Never in a million years could I have imagined talking to royalty this way, but everything I thought I knew about the man in front of me is crumbling into dust. As the onion peels that are Luca curl back, I’m seeing that he only does what’s right for him — and no one else.

I could say more. I could curse him out, yell in his face. But instead I storm out of the study, slamming the door behind me. Tears blur my vision as I stalk down the hallway, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

How could I have been so foolish to think that Luca and I could have a future together? To think that he might actually care about me, about our child? Or even — and this one is truly crazy — that our having a baby together might be the catalyst that finally drew us together?

It’s clear now that I was nothing more than a convenient distraction, a problem to be solved with money and contracts.

Well, I won’t be bought off so easily. I won’t let Luca dictate my life or the life of our child. I’ll figure this out on my own, just like I always have. And Luca can go to hell for all I care.

Without a destination in mind, I weave my way through the palace, ignoring the staff around me. I burst out of a back door, the afternoon sun nearly blinding me. My feet act of their own accord, carrying me across the manicured lawn, toward the lush gardens in the distance. I need to get away, to find a quiet place to think.

As I enter the gardens, the scent of roses and honeysuckle envelops me. All at once, my strength gives out and I collapse onto a stone bench, my body shaking with sobs. The crumpled contract falls from my hand, landing on the gravel path. Funny. I hadn’t even realized I was still holding it. But now you couldn’t pay me to pick it back up.

How did everything go so wrong? Just weeks ago, my life was predictable, dependable. I had a good job full of potential, friends I could count on, and my own little apartment to come home to each night. Now those things feel light-years away. On top of it all, my dreams of a happy family have been shattered by Luca’s cold, calculating proposition.

I bury my face in my hands, hot tears streaming down my cheeks. Talk about betrayal. How can I possibly raise a child on my own, without the support of a partner?

But as I sit here, the gentle rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds slowly calm my racing thoughts. I take a deep, shuddering breath, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.

And that’s when it hits me. I’m not alone in this. I have my mom, who raised me on her own with strength and grace. I have Millie, who’s always been there for me. And most importantly, I have this tiny life growing inside me, depending on me to make the right choices.

I draw a deep breath, new worries surfacing. What will my mom think when I tell her I’m becoming a single parent, just like she was?

The thought makes me cringe. All of the things she sacrificed; the luxuries — and sometimes needs — she went without just so I could be comfortable… I know she doesn’t want the same thing for me.

And then there’s the other aspect of it. Growing up without a father.

I never missed my father, exactly, since I knew he had to be a deadbeat to skip out on a pregnant woman. But what I did miss was the idea of him. And I still do, a little bit; maybe that ache will never go away.

Luca isn’t like my dad, at least. He’s sticking it out, promising to support me and the baby.

But what about after the baby is born? They’ll need their father in their life.

I bite my lip, the hard truth sinking in. I’m going to need to accept Luca’s offer, no matter how much it hurts my pride.

I pull out my phone, my fingers trembling as I open my email. I start typing a message to my editor, my heart heavy with the weight of my decision.

Good afternoon,

I’m writing to let you know that I’ll be resigning from my position at The Morning Star, effective immediately after I submit my piece on Prince Luca. I apologize for the short notice but, due to personal reasons, I won’t be able to return to New York anytime soon.

Thank you for all the opportunities you’ve given me over the years. It’s been an honor to work with such a talented team of journalists.

Sincerely,

Hailey

I hit send, a sense of finality washing over me. I know I’m making the right choice, though it means giving up the career I’ve worked so hard for.

Because nothing is more important than my child’s well-being. And if that means staying in Werdenfeld, finding a way to co-parent with Luca despite our differences, then that’s what I’ll do.

I stand up from the bench, brushing off my dress. The crumpled contract catches my eye, and I pick it up, smoothing out the wrinkled pages.

Maybe Luca and I can find a way to make this work, after all. Maybe we can put aside our pride and our hurt, and focus on what really matters: the tiny life we’ve created together.

With a deep breath, I tuck the contract into my pocket and head back towards the palace, ready to face whatever the future may bring.

At Luca’s study, I pause in front of the closed door and steel myself. There’s no going back; I’ve already submitted my letter of resignation to The Morning Star .

Cringing, I raise a fist and knock.

“Come in,” Luca’s voice calls from inside. I twist the ornate handle and step into the room.

He’s still behind his massive desk, papers strewn before him. I guess that’s what really hurts when I look into his unreadable blue eyes; I’ve been outside going through the five stages of grief while he’s been in here continuing on with his work, completely unruffled. I might as well be another bump in his day, another decision to be made about a guest list or which restaurant to book for a dignitary meeting.

“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” His tone is neutral, guarded.

I approach his desk, the wrinkled contract clutched in my hand. “I’ve been thinking about your offer,” I begin, my voice trembling slightly. “And I’ve decided to accept.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You have?” He seems surprised, though he quickly masks it.

I nod. “Yes. On one condition. Both of us are present for the baby as they grow up.”

He blinks. “Of course. That’s one reason I asked you to live here in the palace. It’s my preference that you and the child continue to live here throughout their whole childhood.”

I swallow hard, having trouble believing that was his original intention at all, since this is the first he’s bringing up us living here permanently. More likely, he’s trying to butter me up so that I’ll sign his contract.

Right now, I don’t really care. The priority is setting my child up for the best life possible.

Luca leans back in his chair, considering me. “And you’re willing to abide by the terms we discussed? Keeping the pregnancy secret, staying here in Werdenfeld?”

“I am,” I confirm, though the words taste bitter on my tongue. “I’ve already informed my editor that I’m resigning.”

Luca’s eyes widen a fraction. “You’re giving up your job in New York?”

“I am.” I lift my chin, meeting his gaze directly. “Nothing is more important to me than our child. If you’re serious about the money, then I want to focus on raising them, not on working.”

Something flickers in his expression, gone too quickly for me to decipher. He clears his throat. “Very well, then. I’ll have my lawyers draw up an official agreement with the new terms.”

I nod, suddenly feeling very tired. The events of the morning hours are catching up with me — the shocking news of my pregnancy, the heated confrontation with Luca, the painful decision to leave behind the life I’ve built.

I just pray I’m not making a huge mistake. That Luca and I can find a way to coexist, to raise this child together despite the complicated circumstances of its conception.

Only time will tell. And no matter what happens, I at least know that I’ll always put my baby first. Yes, it might mean sacrificing my own dreams, maybe even my own happiness, in the process, but that’s a price I’m willing to pay.