PROLOGUE

The elevator dings, and my heart flutters as I step onto the fourth floor.

I stride down the hallway, eager to share the news that will change our lives forever. Pausing at his apartment, I take a deep breath, picturing the moment—his eyes will widen, and joy will spread across his face. And then he’ll kiss me. With a quick twist of my wrist, I unlock the door and go inside.

A stack of business journals rests on the coffee table, and Nathan’s jacket lies draped over the back of the leather couch. The open-concept living space reflects Nathan himself—sophisticated, minimalist, and organized. The faint scent of his cologne, a blend of sandalwood and citrus, lingers in the air.

I slip off my heels and pad down the hallway toward the bedroom, my sundress swishing around my knees with each step, echoing the happiness bubbling inside me. A muffled sound catches my attention as I near the door—a rustle of sheets. My pulse quickens. Is Nathan home? I thought he’d still be in class and that I’d beat him here. I push open the door and grin, ready to surprise him.

But it’s not Nathan in the bed.

A blonde woman lies tangled in the navy sheets, her bare porcelain skin contrasting against them. She looks up, and her blue eyes widen as the corners of her full, glossy lips curve up.

She raises an eyebrow. “May I help you?”

My mouth opens, but no words come out. I stare at her, my mind struggling to process the scene before me. This can’t be happening. There must be some explanation, some misunderstanding. Maybe she’s a colleague, or a relative, or…

She sits up, the navy sheet falling away to reveal her naked chest. Blonde hair tumbles over her shoulders in perfect, beachy waves. “If you’re looking for Nathan, he’s in there.” She gestures toward the en-suite bathroom. Water runs in the distance, and the sound of the shower fills the room.

Her voice carries a smug amusement. “We got pretty sweaty.”

The words slam into me, a one-two combination. I stumble back and grip the doorframe for support as tears sting my eyes. I blink them away, refusing to let her see me crumble. “Who are you?”

“Does it matter?” Her slender shoulders lift in a careless shrug. “I’m not the one in a relationship with him.” She tilts her head and sneers as if the whole situation amuses her.

I want to scream, to demand answers, to grab her and shake her until she admits that this is all some sick, cruel prank. But I’m frozen, my body paralyzed by shock and devastation.

I finally get myself to move, spin on my heel, and flee, bare feet slapping against the hardwood floor as I race through the apartment. The once-comforting space is now foreign and hostile. Every photograph of Nathan and me on the walls mocks me—reminders of the memories we shared, of the love I thought we had that is now tainted. Shattered.

The apartment door bangs behind me as I burst into the hallway, the sound echoing through the empty corridor. The walls tilt and spin, and I press my back against the cool surface, gasping for air. Shudders wrack my body, and tears stream down my face, leaving salty tracks on my flushed cheeks. How could he do this? How could he throw away everything we dreamed of?

I don’t remember returning to my dorm room because my mind is numb and my heart is gaping. I crawl into bed, press my face into soft lavender pillows, and let the sobs tear through me. My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I lift my head with hope. Maybe it’s Nathan calling to explain. With trembling hands, I grab my phone.

The message on the screen sends my heart plummeting: Amelia, I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry, but it’s over. Please don’t contact me again .

A scream rips from my throat, and my phone crashes against the wall, shattering on impact. The screen splinters into a spiderweb of cracks—a perfect reflection of my fractured heart, my broken dreams. I curl into a ball, hug my knees, and rock back and forth. My arms wrap around my stomach, cradling the tiny life growing inside me.

“I’m so sorry, little one.” I rest a hand on my still-flat belly and imagine the tiny spark of life nestled within. “This isn’t what I had in mind. I wanted you to have a daddy who loved us more than anything.”

Sitting up, I wipe the tears from my cheeks and take a deep, quivering breath. Air hitches in my lungs as I steady myself. I need to get out of here.

I push myself off the bed, and my legs wobble. I catch my reflection in the full-length mirror on the door—hazel eyes, red and puffy, chestnut curls, a wild, tangled mess.

Squaring my shoulders, I lift my chin and rest my hand on my stomach. I meet my gaze in the mirror. “It’s just you and me now, but I promise I’ll give you the world. I’ll be the best mommy I can be and love you enough for two parents. We’ll build a beautiful life together and be happy, even if it’s not how I planned.”

I look around at the scattered textbooks and framed photos of my family in Texas. Staying here isn’t an option, not with Nathan’s ghost and our shattered relationship lurking in every corner. I need a fresh start—a new beginning for myself and my unborn child.

I grab luggage from the closet and pack, each item landing inside with a newfound sense of purpose. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know one thing: I won’t let this heartbreak define me or my child.

I close the suitcases and take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past lift from my shoulders. My hand rests on my belly once more. “It’s time to go, little one.” My fingers trace the soft curve of my stomach. “Time to chase our dreams and make them come true. Just the two of us.”