My hands shook as I dialed Kate's number. Had I ever been this angry? If so, I couldn't remember.

"Hello?" Kate answered almost immediately, her sickly sweet tone reeking of falseness.

"Kate," I said bluntly. "Are you with Mike right now?"

A long pause followed before she weakly replied, "What? Of course not."

"Don't lie, Kate. Do you really think I don't know about your affair?" I demanded. "I'm not an idiot."

"Ella, listen—" She started, clearly preparing an excuse.

"No. I don't even care about your affair anymore—but I need to talk to him now," I declared fiercely.

Another pause. Then Kate's voice lost its innocent tone. "You don't care?" she repeated, sounding genuinely shocked. "You know I'm pregnant?"

That news blindsided me. I clenched my fists, so furious I thought I might break the phone. "And you think that's some kind of victory?" I snapped.

"Does he know you're pregnant?" I asked sharply. "Because a man who's so afraid of responsibility that he poisoned me for years is probably willing to do it to anyone."

"Well, no, but he loves me; he would never—" she tried to explain.

"He loved me too, once," I interrupted. "Or so he said. He's amazingly charming, considering what a bastard he is. How do you think he'll support you and your child? He doesn't even have a job."

"Of course he does!" she objected. "He just didn't tell you because he didn't want you to bleed him dry. He's a stockbroker."

"Oh, Kate," I sighed. "Poor, gullible, stupid Kate. He's as much a stockbroker as I am a wizard."

"Don't talk to me like that! He has money; he lavishes it on me!" she insisted.

"With fraudulent credit cards he took out in my name!" I shouted, losing my temper completely.

"What?" she squeaked.

"That's right. I just found out—he's completely bankrupted me. I'm calling the police, and if I were you, I'd check your credit rating immediately, because you're probably next," I snapped.

"No," she repeated weakly. "You're wrong. It's different with me."

My voice thickened with emotion, but I couldn't help it. "Frankly, I don't care what happens to you, Kate, but if you're really pregnant, your baby deserves better than a homeless shelter, and that's exactly where Mike will land you."

I hung up before I started crying, not giving her a chance to respond. Why had I believed his lies about looking for work for so long? He'd crushed me gradually, pretending to be nice, and I'd let it happen.

Never again. I wouldn't let myself be fooled like that again. I still wanted revenge on Mike, but first, I had to salvage what was left of my life. I had to go to the police and try to resolve my financial issues. I couldn't have a baby if I was bankrupt, and I could only pray the police would help.

"I'm very sorry, Miss Reina, but if your ex-partner has left the area, there's not much we can do," the police officer said, delivering the news as gently as he might crush an ant under his boot. "I'll give you the police report to send to the credit card company, but that's all the help you'll get from us."

Rage filled me. He would never treat a wealthy man like Dominic Sinclair with such little consideration. I stormed out of the station before I lost my temper, immediately calling the credit card companies.

One by one, they crushed my hopes, telling me in no uncertain terms that unless a culprit was arrested, I would be held responsible for the charges.

As I hung up the final call, I felt the world crumbling beneath me. How had it come to this? I literally had nothing. No one would hire me without a recommendation from my previous employer, meaning I couldn't pay rent or buy food. Normally I would turn to Cora, but I couldn't burden her; she was in the same boat.

Tomorrow I would find out if I was pregnant. Until now, the strange sensation I'd felt for the last few days had been a comfort and source of hope. I couldn't explain it: I felt different—though I couldn't see any changes—I just knew I wasn't the same woman I was a week ago. I'd thought it was a sign the insemination worked, but now I prayed it was my imagination.

I tried to distract myself, turning on the TV and freezing when I saw Dominic Sinclair on the news talking about his charitable initiatives. "When our work is finished, the Moon Valley children's home will be a place of love and community, motivated to find the best homes for every child in need. Our initiative not only ensures that the permanent residents in the home have the best possible conditions, but that there is continuous follow-up with children placed with adoptive families to ensure they thrive in their new homes."

So much for the supposed philanthropist, I thought bitterly. Turning a blind eye to the lives he selfishly ruined while pretending to be a friend of the downtrodden. A week ago, I might have been touched by such a broadcast. I'd grown up in an orphanage, and I knew how terrible the conditions could be. Now, however, I saw only his hypocrisy. Cora was an orphan too; she'd done nothing wrong—where was his compassion for her? Clearly, it was only for the TV cameras. It was a shame. He was very convincingthen again, so was Mike.

Mike was never as handsome as Dominic Sinclair, nor did he possess his charisma or imposing presence. I don't think I'd ever met anyone like him. Even while he refused to help me, scolding and ejecting me, part of me was still captivated by his handsome features and magnetism.

Shaking myself, I turned off the TV. What was wrong with me? The man was a heartless billionaire, and I was mooning over him like a silly schoolgirl.

I went to bed early, trying not to think about tomorrow. Of course, I lay awake late—I knew what it meant to grow up an orphan, and I couldn't bear bringing a child into the world only to abandon it to that bleak existence. The more my life unravelled, the starker my options became.

If I was pregnantwould I abort the child? Even though it's what I'd wanted my entire life?