“Jacob…” She trailed off, her hand unconsciously moving to her stomach as another wave of nausea rolled through her.“You’re pregnant and can barely last in bed,” he snapped, pacing the room like a caged animal. “How do you expect me to cope with that?”Her head snapped up. “I am carrying your baby. Your baby. You’re supposed to be concerned about me and the baby’s wellbeing, not fucking around like you’ve got no self-control.”He laughed, a sharp, humorless sound that made her chest tighten. “Concern doesn’t erase my needs. I’m still a man.”“And I’m still your girlfriend,” she fired back. “Or did that stop meaning anything the moment I got sick?”Jacob stopped pacing and turned to her slowly, his eyes cold, calculating. “Don’t start acting like a saint. You knew pregnancy would change things.”“Yes,” she said, her voice trembling but firm. “Change things. Not give you permission to cheat.”He scoffed. “I already told you. It happened. And I told you I wanted to stop.”Her brows knit

Bella sat in the passenger seat as the car slowed in front of her mother’s house. Her fingers were twisted together on her lap, nails digging into her skin as if pain might steady her thoughts. The past few days replayed endlessly in her mind Jacob’s voice raised in anger, the way he spoke about his cheating without shame, the slap that still echoed in her chest even if the mark had faded.She inhaled deeply before opening the door.Her mother’s living room smelled faintly of expensive air freshener and polished wood. Everything was neat, intentional like Tianna herself. Her mother sat on the couch, legs crossed, scrolling through her phone with reading glasses perched on her nose.“You look tired,” Tianna said without looking up. “Pregnancy is really not for the weak.”Bella swallowed. “Mom, we need to talk.”That finally got her attention. Tianna lifted her head, eyes sharp and assessing, already bracing herself for drama. “What now?”Bella sat opposite her, smoothing her dress

Olivia Beecroft stood in front of her full-length mirror, her fingers trembling slightly as she smoothed the fabric of her dress. It was a soft cream silk, elegant and understated.She had spent nearly an hour deciding on the jewelry: a simple gold chain and matching stud earrings, nothing flashy. The dinner tonight wasn’t about her; it was about her mother, May Beecroft, and the triumph she had secured for her beauty empire. And yet, Olivia couldn’t shake the tension knotting her stomach.Her mind wandered briefly to the guest list.May, radiant and commanding, would be there, ready to broadcast her success. Lord George Beecroft, her stoic father-in-law, would sit in quiet judgment as always, observing the dynamics around him. Her Auntie, Blossom, with her thinly veiled contempt, would no doubt take every opportunity to make a pointed remark. Her Uncle Justin, as usual, would be indifferent, willing to watch from the sidelines as long as he and his family remained undisturbed. I

For a heartbeat after Blossom’s question, no one moved.The words useless son-in-law hung in the air like smoke, curling slowly, poisoning what little warmth remained at the table. Crystal glasses were suspended midair, cutlery hovered inches above porcelain, and even the soft clink of the chandelier seemed to quiet in reverence to the moment.Olivia felt it first, the weight of every gaze pressing down on her at once.She kept her spine straight, her hands folded neatly in her lap, her face carefully blank. Years of training at work, in family rooms like this had taught her how to survive scrutiny without flinching.Then came the sound that shattered the stillness.A chuckle.Soft. Amused. Deliberate.Becca Keys tilted her head slightly, lips curved in a smile that held no warmth. “Well,” she said lightly, eyes fixed on Olivia, “maybe Olivia should just tell everyone the real reason her husband-to-be isn’t here tonight.”The room shifted.That subtle, collective lean forward intere

“Well,” Blossom hissed, loud enough for the table to hear, “look who finally decided to crawl in.”The room went quiet.Andrew Pierre stepped fully into the dining hall, his presence commanding without effort. His posture was straight, shoulders relaxed, expression unreadable calm in a way that made noise feel unnecessary.Blossom leaned back in her chair, arms folding. “What perfect timing,” she sneered. “Dinner’s almost over. Or did you come late on purpose so you wouldn’t have to give May a tangible gift?”A few heads turned.Olivia’s breath hitched.Blossom’s gaze flicked to her niece with malicious delight. “Left Olivia to handle the gift alone, I see. Let her pretend it was a joint affair. Smart move for a useless man with empty pockets.”A quiet scoff followed from Becca.Andrew didn’t respond.He didn’t even look offended.Instead, he raised one hand casually and snapped his fingers.The sound was crisp.Instant.Final.The doors behind him opened wider.One by one, men in bl