Chapter 0002

(Allison's POV)

For a few minutes, I just stared at Scott, unable to believe those words actually came out of his mouth. Was this really the same man who once promised to love me for eternity? Tears blurred my vision, streaking down my face and washing away my carefully applied makeup. My heart ached as if it had been pierced with a knife, but I clung to the hope that this was just some cruel joke. Surely, the man who’d once showered me with so much love couldn’t say something so heartless.

“Tell me you’re joking, Scott,” I whispered, my voice breaking as I struggled to hold back sobs. My words seemed to catch the attention of other customers in the coffee shop. Heads turned, eyes watching, but I didn’t care. None of it mattered—not the stares, not the murmurs. All I wanted was for Scott to tell me that what he just said wasn’t true.

For a moment, I saw something flicker in his eyes, a hint of guilt, maybe. But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, leaving only the cold, indifferent gaze of a stranger. “I’m not joking, Allie. You should abort the baby, and we should go our separate ways.” His words were ice, and I felt the chill sink deep into my bones. Fresh tears spilled over, and I had to clasp my hand over my mouth to muffle my sobs.

“Please, Scott, stop this!” I pleaded, my voice rising despite myself. “If this is some kind of joke, it’s not funny! You always talked about us having a baby together. Don’t push me away now.”

But Scott’s expression remained unmoved. “I don’t want the baby, Allie. If you choose to keep it, then that’s on you,” he said coldly. He took a step back, his eyes already drifting toward the door.

“No, Scott, please don’t leave me.” Desperation filled my voice as I reached out, grabbing his hand before he could turn away. I couldn’t imagine facing this alone. I needed him, not just because of the tiny life growing inside me, but because he was the love of my life. If it meant keeping him by my side, I would give up anything.

“Let go of me,” Scott said, his tone calm. I shook my head, clinging to his hand, hoping he might change his mind. But then he yanked his hand out of my grasp, the force sending me sprawling onto the floor. I landed hard, nearly falling onto my stomach, and a fresh wave of terror hit me. What if I lose my baby?

I looked up at Scott, shocked and heartbroken. “Scott…” My voice cracked as I tried to make sense of what had just happened, but he didn’t even glance back. Without a second thought, he turned and walked out of the coffee shop, leaving me behind. Each step he took felt like a nail driving deeper into my heart. The whispers and stares from the other customers only intensified my humiliation. My whole world felt like it was crumbling around me, and I was powerless to stop it.

Somehow, I managed to stand up, though my legs felt weak. I could hear people murmuring, calling me names, judging me without knowing the story. I didn’t care. Ignoring the stares, I quickly left the coffee shop, my mind spinning. I need to talk to Scott one more time. With determination, I hailed a cab and headed straight for his apartment.

When I reached his doorstep, I typed in the familiar passcode, but the door didn’t unlock. Panic clawed at my chest. Scott had changed the code. Was he really so serious about ending things with me? I knocked several times, each one more desperate than the last, but there was no answer. Defeated, I sank down outside his door, waiting, tears streaming down my face. I felt so hurt. Even when I lost my parents years ago, it hadn’t hurt this much.

“What are you doing here?” His voice jolted me out of my thoughts. I looked up, my heart sinking even further as I saw Scott standing there—with another woman by his side, her arm draped possessively around him.

My mind reeled. How could he bring someone else here? How could he do this to me? “Scott, what’s going on?” My voice wavered, the brave facade I tried to wear crumbling under the weight of my grief.

“This is my new girlfriend,” he said, his words cutting deeper than any knife could. I almost stumbled, feeling my knees go weak. “Your…what?” I managed to whisper, barely able to believe what I was hearing.

“She’s my new girlfriend, Allison,” he repeated coldly, using my full name. Scott had always called me Allie. Hearing him distance himself with a simple word was like another blow to my already battered heart.

“We’re moving to London together,” he continued, his tone devoid of any warmth. “We’re going to start a new life.”

I felt my world tilt, my hopes shattering around me. He didn’t care—not about me, not about the child I carried. All those memories, all those promises, all those dreams—it was all gone. “Doesn’t our baby mean anything to you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“If you’ll excuse us,” he said, wrapping his arm around the other woman, “we have something important to do inside.” He didn’t even look back as they went into the apartment, the door slamming shut in my face.

I stood there, dazed and heartbroken, realizing that Scott was truly gone. He had abandoned me and our unborn child. But as painful as it was, a new resolve began to form within me. I wouldn’t let his betrayal dictate my life.

Wiping away my tears, I left and went home. Inside, I found my Aunt Hilda and my younger brother sitting on the sofa, watching a documentary. Their faces turned to me, concern flickering in their eyes as they noticed my tear-streaked face.

“Allison, what happened?” my brother asked, moving toward me with worry.

My aunt’s face softened with sympathy. “Did something happen with Scott?”

I took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak the truth. “I’m pregnant, and Scott… he left me. He doesn’t want anything to do with the baby.” My voice wavered, but I forced myself to stay strong.

Aunt Hilda pulled me into her arms, offering the comfort I desperately needed. “You’re not alone, Allison. We’ll get through this together,” she murmured, her voice soothing.

“I think… I think I need to leave California,” I whispered, realizing that every corner of this place held memories of Scott.

“Are you sure?” Aunt Hilda asked gently, a mix of concern and understanding in her gaze.

I nodded. “Yes. I need a fresh start—for me and my baby.”

And just like that, the next morning, I boarded a flight to New York. A new life awaited me, and though I didn’t know what the future held, I was ready to face it. My baby and I would be just fine.