Roam on the street.

I stumbled across the street, shivering violently in the winter air. The silk evening gown I'd worn to impress my husband—a cruel irony now—provided no protection against the biting cold. The guards had dragged me out without allowing me to take so much as a coat, despite my desperate pleas.

Raven hadn't even looked back.

I sat outside the mansion gates for what felt like hours, staring up at the imposing structure through my tears. Part of me kept hoping he would realize his mistake and come for me. But hope was a luxury I could no longer afford.

When the cold became unbearable, I finally forced myself to leave the estate. My bare arms wrapped around myself as I wandered the empty streets, searching for somewhere—anywhere—to spend the night. I wasn't ready to die, not yet.

The exclusive neighborhood offered no refuge for someone like me. I had to walk all the way to the bustling downtown area, where the homeless and destitute gathered in doorways and under bridges.

“To think I'm one of them now,” I thought bitterly as I approached a busy intersection.

That's when my vision began to blur. The world tilted dangerously, and my head felt like it was splitting apart. A dizzy spell—the worst I'd ever experienced.

"Oh no, not now," I whispered, struggling to stay upright.

I stumbled into the street, completely disoriented, when the blaring of a car horn cut through the fog in my head. My body froze as I turned to see headlights bearing down on me. I tried to move, but my legs felt like lead.

"Lady, get out of the way!" someone screamed from the sidewalk.

I wanted to run, but I couldn't even lift my arms. This was how it would end—alone in the street, just another casualty of heartbreak.

I closed my eyes and waited for impact.

Instead, a strong arm yanked me backward with enough force to send us both tumbling onto the sidewalk. I opened my eyes to find myself staring up at a stranger's face—masculine, handsome, with intense brown eyes that seemed to see right through me.

Then everything went black.

---

The steady beeping of machines pulled me back to consciousness. White ceiling tiles came into focus as I realized I was in a hospital bed, an IV line attached to my left arm.

“How did I get here?”

"Good to see you're awake."

I turned toward the deep voice and found my rescuer sitting in a chair beside the bed. In the harsh hospital lighting, I could see him more clearly—short brown hair, sharp features, and an impressive build that made him seem to take up half the room. But it was his eyes that unsettled me. Cold. Calculating. Despite saving my life, something about him put me on edge.

"Why would you want to kill yourself?" he asked bluntly.

"I wasn't trying to kill myself," I said quickly. "I got dizzy and couldn't move."

He studied me for a long moment before responding with brutal honesty. "You should thank whatever gods you believe in. If I hadn't been there, you'd be scraped off the asphalt right now."

I glared at his callousness, but before I could respond, a doctor entered with a nurse in tow. Both were smiling broadly.

"Congratulations, Mr. Night. Your wife is two weeks pregnant."

My heart stopped.

"What?" I whispered, my hands instinctively moving to my stomach.

The stranger—Mr. Night, apparently—raised an eyebrow. "Pregnant?"

"Yes, congratulations to both of you," the doctor said warmly, extending his hand for a shake.

I was about to correct the misunderstanding when Mr. Night cut me off.

"Thank you, Doctor. We couldn't be happier." His smile was perfectly crafted, completely fake, but the doctor bought it completely.

After they left, I whirled on him. "Why didn't you tell them the truth?"

His smirk was infuriating. "Because I know exactly who you are, Aysel. I know how your husband threw you out for his mistress after using you as a convenient substitute."

My blood ran cold. "How do you—"

"I know everything." His voice was matter-of-fact, as if discussing the weather. "And now you're pregnant and alone while he's probably celebrating with his real love."

The reminder pierced my heart, breaking it into a thousand pieces. Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks as the reality of my situation crashed over me. I was carrying Raven's child, and he would never know. Would he never care?

Mr. Night didn't offer comfort or kind words. He simply watched me cry with those unsettling eyes until finally offering me a handkerchief.

"You must think I'm pathetic," I mumbled.

"No," he said quietly. "But I can help you get revenge, if you're interested."

I looked up at him sharply, something dangerous flickering in his expression.

"What kind of revenge?”