I woke up to the faint smell of disinfectant and a harsh white light burning behind my eyelids.

For a second, I forgot where I was. Then the memory hit me like a truck.

My throat tightened as I blinked slowly, forcing my eyes open. A nurse noticed and hurried toward me.

“You’re awake,” she said gently. “Let me call the doctor.”

I tried sitting up, but a dull ache rolled through my body. My palm instinctively moved to my stomach.

The baby. Before the panic could rise, the doctor entered, flipping through my chart.

“You fainted due to the wrong medication,” he explained. “But the baby… the baby is still alive.”

My breath hitched.

A part of me thought I’d feel relief. Joy. Something warm. But all I felt was a hollow ache.

Because that baby… I didn’t even know who the father was.

Killian or Ken? And either way, the truth was poison.

The doctor watched me carefully. “Do you want to hear the heartbeat later?”

I shook my head.

His eyebrows lifted slightly. “Ms. Hale?”

My voice cracked. “I want to schedule a termination.”

He froze. “You want an abortion?”

“Yes,” I whispered. “As soon as possible.”

He took a slow breath, as if choosing his words very carefully. “Amber… with your medical condition, you know how difficult it was for you to conceive.”

I said nothing.

“If you go through with this,” he continued, “you may never be able to have a baby again. Are you absolutely sure?”

My heart twisted. But I nodded.

He studied me for a moment—sadly, almost sympathetically. “All right. I’ll schedule it in three days.”

Three days.

Three days to erase the last tie I had to Killian. Three days to start over. Three days to finally breathe.

As the doctor left the room, I sank back against the pillow, my mind drifting—slipping back into memories I tried so hard to bury.

Flashback, two years ago.

I was balancing two bags of cheap groceries and a pile of textbooks when I saw her fall.

Killian’s grandmother, Rosie. I didn’t know who she was back then—just an old woman clutching her chest on the sidewalk, gasping for air, her eyes wide with panic.

My instinct kicked in instantly. I sprinted over, letting my bags drop, and lowered her gently to the ground.

“Ma’am, can you hear me?” I asked, checking her breathing. Weak. Shallow.

A heart attack. I grabbed my phone, dialing emergency, while performing the steps I’d practiced a thousand times in training. I stabilized her, kept her talking, monitored her pulse until help arrived.

By the time the ambulance doors closed, she was already squeezing my hand.

“Don’t let go,” she had said with tears in her eyes. “You saved me.”

I didn’t know then that she meant it literally. I didn’t know that moment would reshape my entire life.

A day later, her family rushed into my life—Killian included. He didn’t pay much attention to me at first. He was polite, distant, always busy.

But his grandmother… she clung to me.

“You’re special,” she’d said. “You saved me. Let me save you.”

Back then, I was dirt poor—living in a cramped apartment with my sick mother, juggling shifts at the hospital while studying to become a doctor on a scholarship that could be taken away any moment.

I had nothing. No stability. No future I could hold in my hands.

So when Grandma suggested I marry her grandson… I thought it was too good to be true.

A home. Security. A family. A chance to chase my dreams without worrying about food or medical bills.

And Killian… he smiled at me. Warm. Gentle. Or at least, I believed it was warmth.

We spent two years waiting for the marriage ceremony. Two years of dinners, dates, soft conversations, his hand brushing mine. Two years of waking up beside who I thought was him.

Two years of believing he loved me. Now I knew it was never him.

It had always been Ken. Killian’s twin. The wrong brother.

And Killian… The real Killian… was in love with someone else.

Everything connected in a way that made me sick.

A soft knock pulled me back to the present. A nurse stepped in with a small plastic container. “I brought you some water. You should rest.”

I nodded gratefully and took a sip, though my stomach churned at even the slightest taste of anything.

My eyes fluttered closed. I let myself drift for a moment, drifting in that blurred space between exhaustion and numbness.

The peace lasted all of thirty seconds.

My phone vibrated violently on the bed beside me.

I reached for it, expecting a message from the doctor—or maybe even Killian, pretending to care.

But the sender made my blood turn to ice.

Hospital: URGENT — Patient: Maria Hale

My mother. My heart lurched violently. She was staying in the heart hospital center.

Just as I reached for my clothes, my phone vibrated again. This time—it was her.

I answered instantly. “Mom? Mom, are you okay?”

Her voice came weak. Thin. Like she was speaking through cotton. “Amber… sweetheart. I’m okay, what about you?”

Tears stung my eyes. “I’m fine, Mom. What about you? What happened? Why did the hospital message me?”

She gave a soft, trembling laugh. “I just… wanted to hear your voice. I don't think… I don’t think I can wait for your wedding anymore.”

My chest cracked open. “Mom, don’t say that. Please—don’t talk like—”

“Listen to me,” she whispered. Each breath sounded heavier than the last. “You’ve always been so strong, Amber. Stronger than me. Stronger than anyone I know.”

“Mom—”

“I’m so proud of you.” Her voice wavered, but she forced the words out. “And I love you. More than anything. You hear me?”

A sob tore up my throat. “I love you too. Don’t hang up, please—don’t hang up.”

“I’m sorry, baby.”

The line went dead.

“No—no, no, no—Mom!” I screamed into the static.

I ran—out of the room, down the hall, out the hospital doors. I barely registered the nurse calling after me. I just moved. My legs were jelly, my vision blurry, but I forced myself into a cab and begged the driver to go faster.

The ride felt endless. Every second pressed agony into my chest. When I finally reached the hospital and stumbled into the ICU, the nurse on duty looked up.

One glance at her expression—and the world fell apart.

“Amber…” she whispered gently, stepping toward me. “I’m sorry. Your mother… she didn’t make it.”

My mother’s funeral felt like a blur I walked through without really existing. I stood beside the coffin like a broken shadow, staring at the woman I had loved more than anyone—now cold, still, gone.

My mind kept replaying her last phone call. Her voice. The goodbye she tried to make sound gentle even while she was dying.

Every inch of me felt hollow.

Killian didn’t show up. He didn’t call. He didn’t text.

So, I also didn’t let him know that my mother died. He didn’t know I collapsed. He didn’t know I was pregnant. He didn’t know I scheduled an abortion.

He didn’t care… or he would if he wanted to. And I was a fool for not even realizing that.

By the time I returned home, the silence in the apartment felt like a physical weight. I folded my mother’s old sweater against my chest and sank to the floor, crying until my throat burned.

I didn’t know how long I stayed like that.

Hours. A whole night. Until the door opened.

Killian walked in, cheerful and bright like nothing in my world had fallen apart.

“Amber?” he called lightly. “I brought something for you—Grandma said you’d like it.”

He carried shopping bags. Expensive brands. Perfume. Clothes. Things I used to love before everything shattered.

He didn’t even notice how swollen my eyes were. Or how pale I’d become. Or the funeral card still sitting on the counter.

He only smiled. “I missed you.”

I stared at him, numb.

He sat on the couch and casually pulled out wedding brochures. “So… the garden venue or the hotel ballroom? Grandma wants us to finalize things soon.”

I stared. He kept flipping pages. “Also… I talked to a friend of mine who knows someone in London. They can help you get into a good medical program there.”

I blinked slowly. “London?”

He nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah. Great schools. Amazing opportunities. You always dreamed of becoming a doctor, right? You should go.”

“And leave?” I whispered.

He shrugged. “It’s long-distance, sure, but we’ll manage. Maybe it’s good for you. You can focus on your career. And well…”

He smiled faintly. “That way, I can focus on the business.”

I snorted. If this were before, I would be happy, but now I know that he just wanted to dispose of me. So he could hand me over to Ken whenever he needed to play pretend. So he could throw me away quietly—without Grandma watching.

I clenched my hands in my lap. “Do you… want me to leave?”

His silence answered everything. Something inside me cracked—not with pain, but with clarity.

I nodded slowly. “I’ll think about it.”

He brightened instantly. “Good. Good. I really think London will be perfect for you.”

Perfect for him.

He stood, brushing imaginary lint from his suit. “By the way, I want to introduce you to someone. Two people, actually.”

My breath stilled. He opened the door wider.

And there he was. Ken.

I recognized him immediately—same face, same eyes—but the smirk ruined any resemblance to Killian’s gentle act.

“Amber,” Ken said with an exaggerated smile. “We finally meet properly.”

I couldn’t breathe. My palms turned cold. My stomach twisted violently.

Killian beamed proudly, oblivious. “This is my twin brother. I haven’t introduced him earlier because he travels a lot… and honestly, Grandma and he didn’t get along, and it was just now that he finally decided to see Grandma and apologize for being an asshole.”

My chest ached with silent rage.

But then—Then she stepped into the doorway.

The girl who made high school and college a living hell for me.

The queen bee who strutted through hallways like she owned the world—and destroyed anyone who didn’t fit into it.

She spread scandals about me, whispered lies, mocked my thrift-store clothes, and led her friends into cornering me in bathroom stalls just to hear me cry.

She humiliated me in front of crowds, called me names, shoved me into lockers, and made sure everyone knew I was “the poor charity case.”

She bullied me so relentlessly that I developed the anxiety and depression I still fight every day.

She looked flawless—red lips, perfect curls, designer dress. She gasped dramatically and rushed toward me with open arms.

“Amber!” she squealed. “Oh my God, it’s been forever!”

I froze. Her arms wrapped around me.

And in that moment, every instinct in me recoiled. My spine stiffened. My skin crawled under her touch.

She pulled back just enough to study my face.

Her smile faltered when she saw I didn’t return the hug. A small pout appeared on her lips.

“Oh, come on,” she said lightly, tilting her head. “You still don’t like me?” Then she let out a soft, fake laugh. “Shouldn’t I be the one scared of you? Considering you used to bully me?”

My breath hitched.

Killian’s head snapped in my direction. “Bully you? Amber, what—?”

Mandie blinked innocently, placing a hand on her chest as if she were the victim. “Oh… right,” she added sweetly. “I guess she never told you. We used to be… friends… until she hurt me!”

I shoved Mandie hard. She stumbled backward, gasping.

"You're the one who hurt me!" I shouted, my voice breaking. "You ruined my life!"

I didn't wait for a response. I turned and ran out of the apartment, my vision blurring with tears.

Behind me, I heard Killian's voice, sharp and angry. "Amber!"

But I kept walking. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. My chest felt like it was caving in.

I'd barely made it down the hallway when Killian caught up, his hand gripping my arm and spinning me around.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he hissed.

"I can't—" My breathing turned shallow. Panic clawed up my throat. "My anxiety—I can't be around her—"

"Your anxiety?" Killian's eyes were cold. Hard. "You mean your excuse? Your way of avoiding responsibility?"

"Killian, please—"

"Mandie told me everything," he cut me off. "About how you bullied her. How you made her life hell in school. And now you have the audacity to play victim?"

The world tilted. "She told you what?"

"That you tormented her for years. That you spread rumors about her. That you made her feel worthless." His voice dropped, deadly quiet. "I know what you did, Amber. And frankly? You disgust me."

Each word was a knife to my chest. "That's not—she's lying—"

"Is she?" He stepped closer, his face inches from mine. "Because from where I'm standing, you're the one acting crazy. Pushing her. Screaming at her. While she's done nothing but try to be civil."

Tears streamed down my face. "Killian, you have to believe me—"

"I don't have to do anything," he snapped. "What I need is for you to go home, reflect on your behavior, and come back ready to apologize. To Mandie. For everything."

"I won't—"

"You will." His grip on my arm tightened. "Or we're done. Your choice."

He released me and walked back into the apartment, leaving me standing alone in the hallway, shaking and broken.

Two days later, Killian texted me.

Wedding dress shopping. Tomorrow. 2 PM. Mandie will be there. You two need to work this out. She is my friend and an important person in my life.

I stared at the message until my vision blurred. He was forcing me to spend time with her. With the woman who destroyed me. And I had no choice. Because without Killian, without Grandma Rosie, I had nothing.

So I went.

The bridal boutique felt like a tomb. Killian and Mandie were already there when I arrived, standing close together, laughing about something.

When Killian saw me, his expression turned flat. "You're late."

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Mandie smiled sweetly. "It's okay, Amber. I know you're going through a lot." She touched Killian's arm. "Should we start?"

Throughout the entire appointment, I felt like a ghost. Mandie picked out dresses for me to try. Killian barely looked up from his phone. When I stepped out in the first gown, Mandie tilted her head.

"It's... nice," she said. "But maybe something less plain? This is Killian's wedding too."

Killian nodded without looking. "Try another."

By the third dress, Mandie was openly criticizing. "The neckline is unflattering. Your posture is terrible. Are you even trying to look like a bride?"

I said nothing. Just changed into the next dress like a doll being dressed and undressed.

"Amber," Killian finally said, his voice sharp. "Are you going to participate? Or just stand there like a mannequin?"

I met his eyes in the mirror. "What do you want me to say?"

"I want you to stop sulking," he snapped. "Mandie is trying to help. The least you could do is be grateful."

"I am grateful," I lied.

"Then show it," he said coldly. "Because right now, you look jealous and petty."

The words hit like a slap. Mandie placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Killian, it's okay. She's just overwhelmed."

He softened immediately when he looked at her. "You're right. I'm sorry you have to deal with this."

I felt something crack inside me.

At the jewelry store, it was worse. Mandie picked out rings, modeled them, gave her opinions. Killian listened to every word. When I tried to speak, he cut me off.

"Mandie has excellent taste. Just let her handle it."

So I stood there, silent, while another woman chose my engagement ring.

The bridal shower was held at Grandma's estate. I arrived hoping for a moment of peace, but Mandie was already there, charming everyone, especially Grandma.

"Amber saved my life once," Grandma told the guests, smiling at me. "She's a remarkable young woman."

For a moment, I felt seen. Valued.

Then Mandie stood, raising her glass. "To Amber and Killian. May they find the happiness they deserve."

Everyone toasted. Grandma took a sip of her champagne—and suddenly swayed. Her glass slipped from her fingers and shattered.

"Grandma!" I lunged forward, catching her as she collapsed.

Chaos erupted. Someone called an ambulance. Killian appeared, his face white with panic.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"I don't know—she just collapsed—"

Then Mandie stepped forward, her voice trembling. "I saw Amber near Grandma's drink earlier. She was... doing something to it."

The room went silent. All eyes turned to me.

"What?" I breathed. "No—I would never—"

"I didn't want to say anything," Mandie continued, tears in her eyes. "But I can't stay silent if Grandma's in danger."

"You're lying!" I screamed.

Killian grabbed my arm, his grip bruising. "Did you poison my grandmother?"

"No! Killian, please—"

"ANSWER ME!" he roared.

"I didn't do anything!" Tears streamed down my face. "I love Grandma—I would never hurt her—"

But he wasn't listening. His eyes were wild with rage. "Get out," he said, his voice deadly quiet. "Get out of my sight before I do something I regret."

"Killian—"

He leaned close, his breath hot against my ear. "You are nothing without me. Nothing without my family. Without us, you're just a poor girl with a sick mother and no future." His words were poison. "So remember that the next time you think about crossing me. Because I can take everything from you. Everything."