The moment I told Grayson Castellano—Chicago’s underground king—about my pregnancy, his face went stone cold.

When I asked about our wedding, he deflected. Again.

So I went to my prenatal appointment alone. That’s where I found them. He and his ex, Amber.

Grayson’s face glowed with that unmistakable expectant-father radiance.

Then the nurse called my name.

I stepped out of the shadows. Our eyes met.

He froze, never expecting to see me there.

I walked over slowly, “Care to explain?”

His mouth opened, but no words came.

That’s when Amber raised her left hand, flashing the diamond on her ring finger.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself—I’m Mrs. Amber Castellano.”

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1

The moment the test showed positive, I told Grayson Castellano. I was one month pregnant, and I was ecstatic.

He was my boyfriend and, more importantly, the most magnetic and legendary leader in Chicago’s underworld.

He, on the other hand, was not. His face went cold. His voice, like stone.

When I asked him about our engagement, he changed the subject so fast it gave me whiplash.

I was Ophelia Romano, a princess of the Romano family, sent to Chicago to manage family interests.

We’d been drawn to each other instantly at a party—we were the two hottest people in the room, and we made a beeline for each other.

Of course, it was more than that.

He didn’t just need a hot girlfriend; he needed the backing of an established power to solidify his own. And I, besides being a sucker for his face and physique, found my family a powerful new ally in Chicago.

I thought we were a perfect match. But today, I was at the OB-GYN, alone.

And that’s when I saw her. Amber Martinelli—his ride-or-die ex-girlfriend.

The truth hit me like a slug to the chest. They were secretly married. And she was pregnant, too.

She was whispering to her stomach. "You little troublemaker, you need to grow up strong and not give Mamma a hard time. Or Papa’s heir is going to get a spanking when he gets out!"

Just then, Grayson emerged from an exam room holding prenatal vitamins.

His face was glowing with that soft, satisfied look of a soon-to-be dad.

He smiled, placing a hand on Amber’s stomach. "He can't even understand you yet, and you're already threatening him?"

Then the nurse called my name. "Ophelia Romano?"

I rose from the shadows. His head snapped in my direction. Our eyes locked.

He froze, completely and utterly caught.

I’m willing to bet my entire inheritance he never imagined he’d run into me here. Same day, same clinic.

Just yesterday, I'd begged him to come with me. He'd said he was busy, and I'd believed him. I didn't ask a single question, just made the appointment and came by myself.

Turns out "busy" meant playing the perfect husband to Amber while I apparently ceased to exist.

I walked slowly toward them, my eyes fixed on Amber’s small, round belly. My face was a blank mask. As calm as death.

"How far along are you?" I asked.

Grayson’s jaw was clamped shut. He wouldn't even look at me.

But Amber? She smiled like she’d just won the lottery.

"Almost two months," she said, her voice dripping with triumph. "With Grayson’s baby."

I bit my lip until I tasted blood.

Just like me. Two months.

Something inside me snapped. Tears started falling, hot and fast, and I couldn't stop them.

I looked up at him, my voice trembling.

"Aren't you going to explain?"

His face twisted. "Listen," he hissed, grabbing my arm and dragging me into a dark corner, pinning me against the wall with his body.

"I'm sorry, I lied. I came with her—but the baby isn't mine. I was just afraid something would happen if she were alone."

Behind him, Amber’s smug smile flickered before she turned on the waterworks.

"But Grayson, you promised you’d be the baby’s father. We’re married. He’s going to take your name when he’s born."

Her words weren’t loud, but they ripped through my chest like a hollow-point.

I looked up, shoving him away from me.

I stared at him, hoping—no, begging—for him to say something. Anything.

But he just dropped his gaze to the floor, radiating pure guilt.

I pointed a trembling finger at Amber. "So it's true? You married her? Then what about me? What about our child? You’re going to abandon the heir to the Castellano and Romano bloodline to play daddy to some bastard who doesn’t even know his own father?"

Before I could finish, Amber burst into loud, theatrical sobs.

"My baby is not a bastard! He has a father!"

Grayson panicked.

And then—he slapped me.

The sound cracked through the quiet hallway. My cheek stung, hot and sharp.

He looked at me like I was a mess to be cleaned up. He pulled his hand back as if it wasn't him who'd just struck me.

His eyes were cold, filled with disgust. "Ophelia Romano, have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea how much you just hurt Amber?"

I didn’t know how much I’d hurt her. I only knew that Grayson was no longer the man I loved.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, the metallic taste flooding my tongue.

Every single time, when it came to Amber, he lost control.

My voice cracked. "What do you want me to say? That my fiancé betrayed our engagement and abandoned our child for the woman who was with him when he was a nobody? Should I pop some champagne and celebrate?"

I couldn't hold it back anymore. My voice was shrill and raw.

Grayson paused—just for a second. Guilt flashed in his eyes.

Then his voice went flat, like he was closing a deal. "Amber isn't like you. She only has me. She can’t handle the gossip. You just have to wait, Ophelia. As soon as she has the baby, I'll marry you."

He pulled me into his arms, his calloused hands gripping my waist like it was a promise. "Trust me. In one year, I'll give you a wedding fit for a Principessa."

I didn’t say a word.

Just then, Amber cut in impatiently. "Grayson, I'm tired. Let's go home."

His body tensed. But he didn't hesitate.

He let me go, patted my head condescendingly, and walked away with her—leaving me standing there alone.

Watching them disappear, I finally understood. It’s not that hard to tell the difference between love and everything else.

After my appointment, I went home. Alone.

The mansion felt as cold and empty as a crypt.

I took a shower, crawled into bed, and let the weight of it all crush me.

Then the door creaked open. Grayson's tired voice floated in. "Your hair is wet. You'll get sick."

I didn't move.

He sighed, lifted me from the bed, and sat me down at my vanity.

The hairdryer hummed to life. His fingers threaded through my hair, gently drying it.

I remained silent.

"What's wrong? Still angry about today?" he asked. "Didn't I tell you I'd marry you after this is all over?"

He always knew exactly where to stick the knife.

He leaned in, his warm breath on my ear. "Don't test my patience, Ophelia. You know what happens when I'm pushed."

Goosebumps prickled my skin.

I pushed back. "And what if I say no?"

His face instantly darkened. "I'm not asking you—I'm telling you how it's going to be."

Then he softened his tone again, as if that would make it all better. "Amber has no one to take care of her. She only has me. I can't just leave her."

He grabbed a suitcase and started throwing his things inside.

It didn't take long.

He paused at the door and turned back. "She's very weak. I'm going to stay with her for a few days. Call me if you need anything."

The sound of the suitcase wheels rolling over the threshold echoed in the quiet room.

My tears finally fell.

So that was it. He knew who I was. He knew the entire Romano family stood behind me.

But he just didn't care.

Compared to Amber, I was nothing.

After that night, Grayson slowly faded from my life.

He poured all his energy into Amber, only sending me a half-hearted "You okay?" text late at night.

I never replied. Eventually, he stopped asking.

When I was three months pregnant, I bumped into his sister, Victoria Castellano, at one of our family's hospitals.

Victoria’s face was a mask of shock. She snatched my pregnancy report from my hands as if it were on fire.

"You cheated on Grayson? You're pregnant with some other man's child?"

I froze. "The baby is Grayson's. I didn't cheat."

She let out a sharp, cruel laugh. "Still lying? You princesses, born with silver spoons in your mouths, you wouldn't know loyalty if it bit you."

Yes, I knew she didn't like me.

But I never expected this level of humiliation.

There was no mercy in her eyes. Just pure, unadulterated hatred.

A small crowd began to gather around us.

They pointed. They whispered.

I bit my lip so hard my chest ached, the air feeling too thick to breathe.

I tried to leave, again and again.

But Victoria blocked my path every time.

Finally, I snapped. "What do you want from me? I told you, the baby is Grayson's. Call him if you don't believe me!"

She scoffed. "Stop the act. The only one having Grayson's baby is Amber. He's with her right now."

Her voice dripped with venom. "Did you really think he'd leave you alone here if this baby was his? You're a disgrace. Just wait—the Castellano family doesn't let women like you get away with this."

She waved her hand.

A few of her soldatos appeared, as if on cue.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I scrambled for my phone.

Before I could even dial, crack!

Her slap sent stars dancing in my vision as my phone clattered to the floor.

She grabbed me by the hair, her eyes icy. "Still expecting Grayson to save you? Dream on."

The next thing I knew, I was shoved into her car.

We drove straight to the Castellano estate.

Grayson and Amber were in the garden—he was gently helping her walk, a tender arm around her. She looked radiant, glowing with triumph.

And me? I was a wreck. Hair a mess, blood on my lip, my clothes wrinkled and stained.

Victoria marched in, her voice ringing with satisfaction. "Grayson, she betrayed you. Pregnant with another man's bastard. I caught her red-handed."

I lifted my head, my lips pale, my cheek burning.

I thought he’d say something. Anything.

He didn't even spare me a glance.

His voice was ice cold. "Lock her in the cellar. And nobody opens that door without my command."