Took me less than thirty minutes to wrap everything up. All that was left was to wait three days for the procedure.

We never got legally married. Thank God.

I brought it up plenty over the years, but he'd always dodge it.

"Once I make it big, I'll throw you the grandest wedding."

Sure, he worked hard—always chasing some dream—but all he ever brought home was bad news.

Still, he kept going. Falling asleep at his desk, running on fumes. I saw the spark. That's why I carried the bills, the debt, everything—for his dream.

But turns out, his big "hustle" was just luxury trips with Lillian.

Her latest post? Two hands locked across a fancy table. His ring was right there.

It was always in my face. I just worked too much to notice her little digs.

I shut my phone, climbed out of bed, and got ready to quit my job for good.

At one point, I had ten gigs just to crush the debt. By the end, I was barely functioning.

My last job was at a bar. The second I walked in, the reek of booze smacked me in the face.

One guy glanced over and scowled.

"Peter, this how your bar treats guests now?"

I kept it simple. "Just here to resign."

The guy sneered. "Oh? Quitting? What, some rich sugar daddy finally picked you up?"

I didn't answer. Tried to walk past, but he shoved me into the wall, both hands locking around my waist.

"Feisty. I like that. You're done here anyway—why not come with me? I'll treat you good."

I slapped his hands off, cheeks burning. "Show some respect."

"Respect?" He laughed. "You're just bar trash. You should be grateful I noticed you."

"I'm not!"

Then he leaned in, lips hitting my neck. The stink of alcohol made me gag.

I shoved him down and made a break for it—but I barely got a few steps before he grabbed me and slapped me flat.

Pain shot through me. Heat flooded between my thighs.

He looked down and sneered.

"Damn. Another pregnant bar rat."

I curled up, arms wrapped around my stomach, sweat dripping from my face.

From where I lay, I spotted him through the cracked VIP door.

Jacob. Chilling with a glass of wine, cool as ever, eyes smug and satisfied.

He snapped his fingers. A server handed Lillian a gift box.

He opened it himself—ballet flats. Then he knelt and slipped them on her like it was some fairytale.

Lillian lit up like royalty. The crowd lost it, yelling for her to say yes.

My chest twisted so tight I could barely breathe.

A guy glanced at my tear-streaked face. "What are you staring at? That's Jacob—richest guy in Bayronne City. And her? His childhood sweetheart. Give it up."

I looked down at the blood smeared on my thigh and let out a bitter laugh.

Pulled myself up, hand clutching my waist as I stumbled toward the door. It was barely ten meters, but felt like forever.

The guy didn't follow. Maybe it was the look in my eyes.

Outside, a stretch Lincoln idled by the curb.

I suddenly remembered Jacob flipping through a magazine once, pausing on that exact car.

He lit up just looking at it. I'd wrapped my arms around him and said, "You like it? I'll work hard and buy it for you."

He laughed like it was the best joke he'd ever heard, swearing I didn't have to.

I thought he was touched.

Looking back, he just thought I was pathetic.

To him, that car was nothing—just another toy, like a water bottle I'd grab off the street.

Right then, the hospital didn't matter anymore.

I just wanted my passport and a one-way ticket out.

I didn't expect to walk in and find Lillian at the dinner table while Jacob moved back and forth from the kitchen like some doting host.

The second he saw me, he wiped his hands and rushed over. "Zoe, where'd you go? I couldn't find you—I was freaking out."

I looked at the warm food on the table and let out a dry laugh.

He reached for my arm. I pulled away.

"Overtime," I said flatly. "I'm going to bed."

As I walked past, he stopped me. "Lillian barely visits. Why not sit and eat with us?"

"No. I'm tired."

Right then, Lillian stood and took my hand, all soft concern. "At least eat something. You look pale—what if you faint?"

Her voice was sweet, like always, but her eyes? Full of smugness.

I used to wonder why a rich girl like her would even bother with me. Turns out, she was playing the long game.

I yanked my hand away. "If you're hungry, help yourself."

She froze, her eyes watering on cue. Jacob grabbed my wrist.

"She's your best friend. How could you humiliate her like that?"

I laughed bitterly and peeled his fingers off one by one.

Lillian stepped in, acting all heartbroken. "Let it go, Jacob. Zoe's probably just exhausted. I don't mind. She's more important."

I ignored her fake tears and stormed into the bedroom to pack.

But the second I opened the closet, my heart dropped.

The ultrasound was gone.

I ran out. "Where's the ultrasound I left in the drawer?"

Jacob frowned and leaned over. "Gone? Maybe you misplaced it. You looked at it all the time."

"I wouldn't forget!" My voice cracked. "That was the only thing I had left of my first child. It meant everything to me."

He knew. He knew how much it meant.

He grabbed my arm gently. "Don't panic, baby. We'll find it."

Then Lillian whispered, "I'm sorry... I tore it up."

We both turned.

She was crying now, hands over her face. "There was no fire in the kitchen... I couldn't find anything to light it with. I used those papers. I thought the baby was already gone, so they didn't matter..."

Jacob shot her a furious glare—but he didn't say a word. Instead, he turned to me, voice soft.

"I know you're upset, but she didn't mean to. The baby's gone... but friendships last, right? We'll have more kids. There's still time."

I stood there, silent. Then I walked into the kitchen and pulled the shredded pieces from the trash.

That was my baby. I watched him grow on that screen, day by day.

The paper was worn from all the times I held it, soaked with tears.

When everything else broke me, he was the only reason I kept going.

Now even that was gone—ripped apart by her hands.

When Jacob saw me shaking, he pulled me close and wiped my tears. Then he turned to Lillian, cold and sharp.

"Well? Apologize."

She ran over. "Zoe, I'm sorry. It's my fault. If you're still mad, hit me."

Then she slapped herself, hard. A red mark bloomed across her cheek.

Jacob hesitated. I saw it—pity.

"That's enough... you—"

I shoved him off me and slapped her. Hard.

She flew back, crashing into the table. Her head hit the edge with a sickening thud. Blood started pouring from her forehead.

I stared down at her, voice flat and cold. "Get out of my house."

"Zoe Hart, are you insane?!"

Jacob ran to Lillian, hands shaking as they touched her blood.

"The baby's already gone. Why are you still so obsessed? Lillian is your best friend. This was just a misunderstanding, and she already apologized. Why do you have to be so aggressive—even violent?"

My arms dropped. Cold washed over me. 'Obsessed? Best friend?'

I let out a bitter laugh.

Jacob didn't even look back. Just shoved me aside and rushed Lillian into the stretch Lincoln.

He didn't bother faking it anymore.

Seconds later, a sports car roared to life downstairs, leaving a trail of thick smoke behind.

I glanced down. Blood slid down my thigh, drop by drop, soaking into the shredded paper on the floor—blurring the image of my son.

I dragged myself into a cab and headed to the hospital.

The doctor confirmed it—baby's gone.

All I felt was relief.

At least I didn't have to cough up cash for the abortion.

I wandered through the halls like a ghost, barely there, until I caught voices coming from one of the rooms.

"Lillian, you seriously crossed a line this time. We can't keep pulling crap like this," Jacob snapped. "Zoe's already been through hell. My guys said she got harassed at the bar yesterday.

"I can't just sit back and watch her get wrecked for my mess. No guy who actually loves someone would let that slide."

Lillian's eyes were puffy and red. "I was just trying to help you see who's real and who's fake. Did you already forget all your exes were after your money?

"Remember that fiancée you dated for three years? You joked about being broke and bam—next day she bailed with some rich dude. Took your watch and your bag, too."

She was starting to lose it, but Jacob shut her down, voice steady. "Zoe's not like them. She actually loves me—I know she does. Did you see her just now?

"She was wrecked over the baby. You can't fake that.

"I'm done hiding. I'm telling her everything. It's time I fix what I broke."

He turned and headed for the door, brushing past me as I leaned against the wall, cap pulled low.

Inside, Lillian ripped out her IV and screamed like she'd lost her damn mind. "Zoe Hart, I won't let you win!"

I smiled a little.

'That's fine. I'll let you.'

***

I didn't go back.

Used the abortion money to grab the next flight out.

No bags—just three painkillers in my pocket and some bloodstained paper scraps.

Right before boarding, messages lit up from Jacob.

[Zoe, wait for me. I have something important to tell you.]

[Is there anything you're craving? I'll bring whatever you want. No matter the price.]

...

I popped out the SIM card and dumped it in the trash.

'Jacob, I don't care how pricey it is—I'm done swallowing it.'