Chapter 1

Two pink lines!!!

Hailey sniffled, tears of joy welling in her eyes as she stared at the pregnancy test. “Cole and I are having a baby! Oh my God!” she whispered, a tear finally tracing a path down her cheek. It was almost unbelievable; something so beautiful after years of heartbreak and betrayal.

Three years since she’d married the world-famous billionaire. She had given Cole everything, but received only pain and despair in return. She knew he loved another woman, the source of her endless anguish, but this child—this child could change everything.

Brushing away a tear, she smiled. Remembering it was their third wedding anniversary, she’d made an effort with her appearance, eager to share the good news. Waiting at a red light, she noticed a gift shop. Though almost late for work, she risked a quick stop. Ten minutes later, she was back in her car.

“What is it, Cynthia?” Cole’s stern voice crackled through the intercom.

“Hailey Summers is here to see you, sir,” Cynthia replied, her voice shaky.

“I don’t have an appointment with her.”

“She says it’s urgent, sir.”

Cole sighed, his gaze falling on recently received legal documents. His tone shifted. “Let her in.”

A knock sounded almost immediately. Cole remained silent as Hailey entered, her presence forcing him to look up from his laptop. He frowned, noting her unusually glamorous appearance and radiant smile, a small gift bag in her hand.

“Why are you here?” His voice was harsh, as always.

Hailey swallowed, her smile faltering. Gathering her strength, she spoke. “Today’s our third anniversary. Don’t you think it’s time you acknowledged our marriage publicly? This feels like a good place to start, with our new beginning.”

“New beginning?”

Hailey nodded, approaching his desk. She retrieved a medium-sized box from the gift bag and placed it before him.

“What’s this?”

“You want answers? Check it out.”

The box contained the pregnancy test and a baby onesie reading, “I have the best Daddy.”

Cole didn’t open it. He tossed the box into a nearby wastebasket.

Hailey’s eyes stung. “Why, Cole? You didn’t even look.”

His face hardened. “I warned you to stay away from my office. You thought you could manipulate me, giving me this garbage as a gift?”

“Cole!” Her heart plummeted.

“Stop pretending to be a good wife. No matter what you do, I’ll always see you as the one who kept me from the woman I love.”

Tears streamed down Hailey’s face. “I swear I knew nothing about that night. I was framed!”

Three years ago, Cole had been engaged to Hailey’s stepsister, Vanessa, who, deeming him too poor, had drugged Hailey, orchestrated a compromising situation, and spread the photos, making it appear Hailey had stolen her fiancé. Vanessa was sent to a nursing home abroad for depression treatment, and Hailey, to save her family’s business, had married Cole.

Since then, she’d been ostracized by her family, especially her father, who once cherished her. Cole hated her, convinced she'd drugged him.

“We had a difficult start, Cole, and despite being the victim, I’ve apologized, sacrificed, and endured immense pain to be with you.”

“You’re delusional if you think I’ll ever believe you.” Cole opened a desk drawer, produced an envelope, and tossed it onto his desk near Hailey.

“What’s this?” Hailey sniffled, glancing at the envelope, then back at Cole.

“We’re done.”

“Wh…what do you mean?” Her heart sank, her lips trembling.

Cole glared at her silently.

She picked up the envelope, removed its contents, and her world shattered as she saw the divorce papers. Sobbing, she asked, “Divorce? Why?”

“I want nothing to do with you. Vanessa is back, and she’s willing to take me back.”

“No!!!” Hailey cried, shaking her head. “This is unfair! How can you go back to the woman who ruined us?”

Cole said, “Your tears mean nothing to me. I’ll choose Vanessa in every lifetime. Sign these papers and disappear from my life forever!”

“Please, Cole! I have nowhere to go.” The pain was overwhelming; it reminded her of her father's rejection when he disowned her, refusing to believe Vanessa had framed her. She'd married Cole to save her father's company and win his forgiveness, but he'd never spoken to her since.

She couldn't believe he was rejecting her, especially now, on the day she discovered she was pregnant with his child.

“You’re fired. I never want to see you again.”