28. Hailey

CHAPTER 28

HAILEY

I storm into my room, hot tears stinging my eyes as I slam the door shut behind me. My heart feels like it’s been ripped out of my chest, trampled on and crushed into a million pieces.

How could he do this to me? To our baby? I thought what we had was real, that Luca truly loved me. But apparently, his precious reputation and royal image matter more than his own flesh and blood. He never planned on revealing our little family to the world.

I wipe away my tears, refusing to shed any more over a man who clearly doesn’t deserve them. If he wants to keep me and our child hidden away forever, then fine. We don’t need him anyway.

I yank my suitcase out of the closet and start throwing clothes into it, not even bothering to fold them. I just need to get out of here, away from this palace and the painful memories it holds.

With shaking hands, I pull out my phone and book the first commercial flight back to New York tomorrow morning. I don’t care about the cost. I’ll use my savings, max out my credit cards if I have to. I just need to go home.

Home to my mom, my friends, my job at The Morning Star , if they’ll have me back. The life I never should have left behind for some fairy-tale romance that was doomed from the start.

Zipping up the bulging suitcase, I set it by the door. Was it all a lie? A charade he put on until he got what he wanted from me?

It doesn’t matter. Questions will get me nowhere, and I’ll be fine without him.

I have to believe that. It’s the only thing keeping me standing as I turn off the light and crawl into bed, hugging my pillow as I cry myself to sleep.

My phone vibrates on the nightstand, startling me awake. I blink groggily at the screen, my heart leaping into my throat when I see it’s my mom calling.

I answer on the second ring, my voice thick with tears. “Mom?”

“Hailey, sweetheart, what’s wrong? Are you okay? I saw photos of you online, and people are saying…” Her voice is laced with concern, and it’s all I can do not to break down sobbing.

“No, Mom. I’m not okay.” I take a deep, shuddering breath, trying to find the words. “I’m pregnant. And Luca… he wants to keep it a secret. From everyone.”

There’s a long pause on the other end of the line. “Oh, honey,” my mom says softly. “I’m so sorry.”

The dam inside me breaks, and everything comes pouring out — how Luca and I got together in New York, how we tried to stay professional in the aftermath of his father’s death, how freaked-out but overjoyed I was when I found out I was pregnant.

“I thought we could make it work, Mom. I really did. But he’s so focused on his image, on what people will think… I don’t think there’s a place for me and the baby in his life.” My voice cracks on the last word, and I swipe angrily at my tears.

“Hailey, listen to me.” My mom’s voice is gentle but firm. “You are an incredible woman. Strong, smart, compassionate. Any man would be lucky to have you by his side.”

I sniffle, clutching the phone tighter. “You really think so?”

“I know so. And if Luca can’t see that, then he doesn’t deserve you or that baby.” She pauses, and I can practically hear the wheels turning in her head. “I want you to come home, sweetheart. Back to New York. You have so much support here. I’ll help you through this, every step of the way.”

Tears well in my eyes again, but this time they’re tears of relief. Of gratitude. “What about you , Mom? I don’t want to be a burden, or make things harder for you…”

“Hailey Warren, you could never be a burden. Not to me.” Her voice is fierce with love and protectiveness. “You’re my daughter. My family. And family sticks together, no matter what.”

A sob catches in my throat, and I nod even though she can’t see me. “Okay, Mom. I’ll come home. I… I already booked a flight for tomorrow.”

“Good. That’s my girl.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “I’ll be waiting for you at the airport. Everything will be okay. I promise.”

We say our goodbyes and I hang up, staring down at my phone, my mom’s words still echoing in my ears.

Part of me wants to believe her — wants to cling to that promise of unconditional love and understanding. But another part, the part that’s still raw and bleeding from Luca’s rejection, whispers that it won’t be that easy. That I’m still going to be doing this alone, no matter how many people rally around me.

Alone . The word settles like a stone in my gut. I never thought I’d be in this position — pregnant and single, just like my mom was with me. She made it work, I know she did, but I also know how hard it was for her. The struggles, the sacrifices.

Is that the life I want for my child? For myself?

I close my eyes, picturing Luca’s face. The way he looked at me that night in New York, like I was the only woman in the world. The way he held me close and whispered promises against my skin.

I really thought we had something special. Something real.

But now… now, I don’t know what to think. He wants to keep me a secret, like I’m something to be ashamed of. Like our baby is a mistake that needs to be hidden away.

My hand drifts to my stomach, cradling the tiny life growing inside me. “It’s just you and me, kiddo,” I whisper. “But we’re going to be okay. We have to be.”

Because I will not let my child grow up thinking they are anything less than loved and wanted. No matter that their father can’t — or won’t — be a part of their life.

Tomorrow, I’ll be on a plane back to New York.

Back to my old life.

And as much as it hurts, as much as I wish things were different…

I know it’s the right thing to do.

Even if Luca can’t see that.