01
I was on my way to tell Silas Crowe that I was pregnant when I got into a terrible car accident.
Clinging to life, the first person I called was Silas. But he didn’t even hesitate… He hung up.
That single moment of indifference cost me everything. I wasn’t rushed to the hospital in time, and the baby, who hadn’t even fully formed, was gone. On the drive home from the hospital, Silas finally called.
“Sorry, Nina,” he said, his tone casual, as if nothing had happened. “I was tied up in a meeting and couldn’t take your call earlier.”
I let out a hollow laugh, masking the bitterness clawing at my chest. “It’s fine,” I replied coolly.
But just five minutes before his call, I’d seen a photo on social media posted by his secretary, Elyse Hart.
In it, Silas was crouched beside Elyse’s young son, helping him pick out children’s toys. His expression was warm and tender, the kind of look I’d always hoped he’d reserve for me.
When I didn’t push further, Silas seemed to relax. His voice softened, almost playful. “Be good and wait at home for me, okay? When I’m done with work, we’ll go check out those houses together.”
We’d been together for five years, and last month we’d finally decided to tie the knot. The wedding was set for the first of next month.
When I found out I was pregnant, I’d been so excited to share the news. I even planned to suggest we start preparing a nursery.
1
But now none of that mattered because I wasn’t marrying him anymore.
That night, I waited for Silas in the living room, determined to end things.
Hours passed, and I ended up dozing off on the couch. It wasn’t until the middle of the night that the doorbell jolted me awake.
When I opened the door, there was Elyse, holding up a drunken Silas.
“I’m so sorry, Nina,” she said, her tone dripping with fake sincerity. “Silas was going to come straight home, but I begged him to stay for a drink. Please don’t take it the wrong way. It’s just… my ex–husband showed up and caused a scene. I was scared and needed someone to keep me company.”
Elyse and Silas had been childhood friends, practically inseparable. Everyone said that if she hadn’t left the country years ago, Silas never would’ve ended up with me.
Now she was back. And despite being a single mom, Silas‘ feelings for her hadn’t changed one bit.
When Elyse mentioned she needed a job, Silas immediately created a position for her at Crowe Holdings, making her the head of the secretarial department.
I pressed my lips together, stepping aside to let Elyse drag Silas inside.
The moment Silas hit the couch, he instinctively reached out and pulled Elyse into his arms.
“Silas, stop it! Let go!” Elyse shouted, but she made no real effort to pull away.
Eventually, Silas seemed to regain some semblance of awareness and loosened his grip.
Elyse stepped back just enough to maintain appearances, her voice trembling with calculated vulnerability. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. Please don’t be mad, okay?”
I nodded, my voice calm. “It’s fine. You should go home.”
Elyse blinked, clearly caught off guard by my lack of reaction. After a moment of hesitation, she turned and left.
I looked down at Silas, passed out and reeking of cheap perfume, and knew there was no point in trying to talk tonight. I turned to leave, but his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.
“Nina,” he slurred, his words heavy with alcohol. “I just hugged Elyse, and you’re not even jealous?”
The sickly–sweet scent of his cologne mixed with the perfume clinging to his clothes made my stomach churn.
I pulled my hand free, keeping my voice steady. “Didn’t you always say you two are just friends? Friends hug, it’s no big deal. Why would I care?”
In the past, whenever I got upset about how close he was to Elyse, that was always his excuse. Hearing it from me now seemed to
