Chapter 1

For ten years, I built my life around Julian Evans, a man six years my junior. He hated condoms, but promised he'd marry me the day I got pregnant.

On Christmas Eve, I held a positive pregnancy test, planning to surprise him.

Instead, I saw him wrapped around a younger girl outside a bar, kissing her passionately.

His friends laughed and cheered them on.

"Julian's got good taste! Chloe is so young and hot!"

"You should've seen it. When Julian brought up marriage, that desperate Stella practically launched herself at him."

"Even if Stella did get knocked up, she'd be nothing next to Chloe. Am I right?"

I clutched the pregnancy test in my hand, my fingers digging in, my knuckles white. I could barely breathe.

Julian chuckled dismissively. "Are you kidding? Who'd be stupid enough to marry his old practice girl?"

"Julian's only with that old lady because she's loaded and does whatever he says. The age thing? That was never a factor."

"Can't even imagine her in bed. It's gotta be stale."

I stood rooted to the spot, the blood in my veins turning to ice.

Old woman. Sugar mama. I'd never thought those words would come from Julian. Not from his mouth.

"Big night, Julian! Aren't you spending Christmas Eve with Chloe?"

My phone screen lit up. A text message from Julian popped up. "Working late. Don't wait up."

I stared at the words, a sick, cold dread tightening around my chest.

My pale face stared back from the dark screen.

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes tonight, I would never have believed that every "working late" was a lie.

Julian pulled the girl onto his lap, his hand gripping the back of her head as he kissed her like he was drowning.

"Stella's pathetic,” someone cut in. “Just end it. Dragging it out is crueler."

Julian pulled back, lighting a cigarette.

The rising smoke blurred his expression.

"She loved me for ten years. She helped me build this from nothing. She gave me her youth.If I dump her now, she'll break. Just give it a little more time."

A ringing filled my ears.

I hurled the pregnancy test into the trash, grabbed a bottle, and charged at their booth.

The glass exploded against Julian's skull. Shards rained down as a dark line of blood snaked from his temple.

I blinked. Then the tears came, hot and sudden, against my will.

Julian went rigid. He shoved Chloe Miller off his lap as if shocked by a live wire.

"Baby, what are you... what are you doing here?"

Chloe glanced at me sideways, a smirk tugging at her lips. "It was just a joke, Stella. Don't tell me you're that petty?"

Julian's face darkened. "Shut up!"

Ignoring the blood on his face, he gently wiped away my tears. His voice softened. "It was all just a game, don't take it seriously."

"Don't cry, I'll take you home to celebrate Christmas Eve right now, okay?"

Chloe, teary-eyed, tugged on his arm. "What about me?"

"She ruined our Christmas Eve! Typical old hag, always sticking her nose where it doesn't belong!"

Julian turned his back, shrugging dismissively, his fingers flying across his phone in his guy's SnapChat group. "Can't help it. Older women are just petty and hot-headed."

"I'll go back and handle her."

I turned and walked away.

My chest ached, numb. My mother's words suddenly echoed clearly in my mind.

"Stella, was it really worth giving up your family fortune for a man who had nothing?"

"If he truly loved you, he would have married you already. Why wait until now?"

"Listen to your mom, come back and agree to the arranged marriage."

I wiped away my tears, pulled out my phone, and called my mother.

"Mom, I was wrong. I'll come back soon. The marriage... I'll do whatever you say."