Chapter 1

After Liam and I got married, he treated me like a queen, envied by everyone.

Anything I wanted, he'd go to any lengths, even promise to pluck the stars from the sky for me.

But when my water broke, in my desperate scramble to dial 911, my shaking hands accidentally swiped away an incoming call. It was Chloe, Liam's best friend since childhood, calling from the airport.

The slap cracked through the room. First time he'd ever hit me. His eyes held a rage I'd never seen.

"I'd give you my last breath," he snarled, "so why can't you give me a little trust?"

"Chloe is sensitive. I don't want your selfish jealousy to embarrass her."

With that, he grabbed my arm and forcibly shoved me into the trunk. His voice was chillingly cold.

"Calm down and reflect. Once I pick up Chloe, apologize to her, and I'll let you out."

I curled up in the cramped trunk, intense contractions racking my body until I was almost unconscious.

I hammered on the inside, screaming for help, but Liam didn't even flinch. He just dialed his phone again.

"Chloe, I'm on my way. Stay right there. Just wait for me."