FAITH
It had been a month since I left that town behind. A month since I set fire to everything I knew—every tie, every memory.
Now, I was in Iowa. The place where no one knew me, where the ghosts of my past didn’t haunt the streets. It was quiet. Too quiet. But it was better than the alternative.
I was working at a small diner. The kind of place you didn’t remember unless you needed to. It wasn’t anything special—just a bunch of grease, some old men chatting about nothing important, and a few tired faces behind the counter.
A monotonous rhythm I’d quickly grown accustomed to.
Wake up, clock in, work through the day, c
FAITHThis had to be a joke.The air in the room felt too thick, too heavy. My chest was tightening, my heart hammering like it was trying to break free of its cage.Pregnant.I kept replaying the doctor’s words in my head, trying to make sense of them, but it was like a puzzle with a thousand pieces scattered across the floor. Nothing fits together. I had no idea how this had happened.I tried to think. I tried to run through every moment, every possible slip-up. My mind kept racing back to that time, the chaotic mess that was my life when my mom died. The funeral, the confusion, the numbness. And in the middle of all of that, I had stopped thinking about anything else.I didn’t take birth control pills the first few days after having sex with Blaze.The realization hit me like a slap to the face, and I cursed myself under my breath. How could I have been so careless? How could I have let this happen? I felt sick, not just from the shock of the news, but from the weight of my own
FAITHThe air was thick with tension as I stepped into the private jet, my feet feeling heavier with every step. Jared followed behind me quietly, guiding me through the sleek, polished cabin. His steps were measured, quick, but I couldn’t help but feel the weight of his presence pressing down on me. As much as I tried to focus on the luxurious surroundings, the throbbing ache in my head and the heavy reality of what I was about to do made it impossible to enjoy any of it.The interior of the jet was immaculate. Plush leather seats, a glossy wood paneling, and soft lighting that somehow made everything seem surreal. A far cry from the cramped locker rooms and dive diners I’d left behind.I let out a long, tired breath as Jared stepped aside to leave me alone. His parting words were as sterile as ever: “I will leave you two to talk. Let me know if you need anything.”I didn’t have the energy to acknowledge him. Instead, my eyes drifted to the figure waiting at the far end of the cabi
FAITHI looked up, meeting Blaze’s gaze. The softness was gone, replaced by the shrewd, calculating look.And in that moment, I was reminded of why I was here. This wasn’t a fairy tale, and Blaze wasn’t some knight in shining armor. He was a billionaire, a businessman who probably saw this child as nothing more than an investment—a future asset he’d already started to protect.Still, I steeled myself, sitting up straighter, meeting his gaze head-on. “Fine. Let’s talk.”He leaned forward, fingers laced together, studying me with that intense gaze that seemed to see straight through every defense I tried to put up.
FAITHThe car rolled to a slow stop, the hum of the engine fading as I stared out the window, my breath catching in my throat. The sprawling mansion before me looked like something out of a storybook—or maybe a gothic novel.A sprawling estate stretched before me, its towering structure made of dark stone, the kind that whispered secrets of old money and hidden skeletons. Ivy crept up the walls, clinging to the cold exterior like it was trying to reclaim the building. The windows were tall, framed in black, with sheer curtains billowing faintly behind the glass. Everything about it screamed wealth, but it didn’t feel welcoming. It felt… imposing.My stomach twisted.I stepped ou
FAITHThe mansion stretched endlessly, a labyrinth of wealth and grandeur that I should have been amazed by. At first, I had been, marveling at the towering ceilings, the glint of sunlight on marble floors, and the luxurious drapes that framed windows overlooking sprawling gardens. But as Jessica led me further through the maze of opulence, that sense of awe quickly faded.There was something about Jessica. Her warmth and effusive energy had seemed genuine at first, almost comforting in a world where I was a stranger. But now, there was a sharp edge beneath her smile, a calculation in the way she watched me as if I were some prized possession she’d won at an auction.“Isn’t it just divine?” Jessica exclaimed, gesturing to
FAITHI looked at Blaze, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Oh… I see,” I said, my voice soft but steady.He arched an eyebrow, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “Any more questions?”I hesitated. The truth was, I did have questions—ones that danced dangerously close to crossing professional boundaries. Questions about the tone in his voice earlier, the brief flicker of something in his eyes that seemed... personal. But I swallowed them down, biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from speaking.“I do,” I admitted after a pause, “but I don’t think they’d be appropriate to ask.” I tried to infuse a hint of lightness into my tone, hoping it would deflect attention from the awkwardness I suddenly felt.His lips twitched, the ghost of a smirk tugging at the corners. “I’m glad you have that common sense.”And just like that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing faintly as the distance between us grew.For a moment, I just stood there, staring after him, a mix of emotions
FAITHI walked into the dining room, the soft murmur of voices instantly drawing my attention. The table was grand and stretched far, with elegant place settings and an array of delicious-smelling dishes. My stomach churned, not from hunger, but from the nervousness bubbling inside me.As I stepped further into the room, I noticed faces I hadn’t seen before. Blaze, who had been seated at the head of the table, noticed me immediately. A warm, reassuring smile spread across his face as he rose from his chair and walked toward me. My heart, already unsteady from anxiety, skipped a beat.“Hey, Faith,” Blaze said softly, his voice carrying a hint of warmth that calmed my frayed nerves. He reached for my hand, his touch firm yet gentle. “Come, let me introduce you to everyone.”I nodded, gripping his hand like a lifeline as he led me to the table. All eyes turned toward us, and I felt a rush of heat rise to my cheeks. Blaze’s presence beside me, though reassuring, didn’t entirely erase th
FAITHI blinked at Blaze, caught off guard by the mix of humor and sincerity in his tone.He continued, his voice gentle but firm. “Therefore, you don’t have to stay put and listen to everything my mom says. She can be a bit… overbearing sometimes. But, while I have to bear with her because I am her son, you have no such obligation. You are free to live as you want for these nine months.”I tilted my head, studying him for a moment before speaking. “Why are you so nice to me?” I asked, my voice softer than I intended. “I ghosted you for a month after we… you know, after I…” I trailed off, the memory of that night still an awkward weight between us.Blaze shrugged, a fain
FAITHI woke up to the steady beeping of a monitor and the feeling of something cool pressed against my face. My body felt heavy, my limbs weak, my head pounding as though a thousand hammers were striking against it.I blinked against the harsh fluorescent light, my vision blurry, my throat raw and burning.Where was I?I tried to move, but something was strapped to my face—an oxygen mask. Panic stirred in my chest as I took a shallow, raspy breath, the memory of thick smoke and unbearable heat flashing in my mind.The fire.I inhaled too fast, coughing violently, my ribs aching with each sharp motion. A sharp pain shot through my chest, making me wince.A soft, familiar voice broke through the haze.“Take it easy, Miss. You’re in the hospital.”I turned my head slightly to see a doctor standing beside my bed, his expression calm but serious. He was flipping through a chart, his glasses slightly askew.Hospital.I was alive.I tried to speak, but my throat was too dry, too raw.The do
BLAZEThis was a setup. A fucking trap.For her.My chair scraped against the marble floors as I shot up, my heartbeat slamming against my ribs.Jared, who was still standing nearby, frowned. “Blaze? What’s wrong?”I didn’t answer. I was already moving.Jared cursed under his breath and followed. “Damn it, what’s going on?”I stormed out of the office, my mind spinning, panic clawing up my throat. “Faith—she’s in danger. Someone tricked her into going to La Vigna.”Jared’s face paled. &l
BLAZEI walked through the office halls, my shoes tapping against the polished marble floors. The buzz of employees surrounded me—keyboards clacking, hushed conversations, phones ringing.Everything was running as it should be. Efficient. Smooth. Controlled. Just the way I liked it.I nodded in acknowledgment as I passed by different departments, checking in on progress reports, offering a few words of encouragement where needed. It was a routine I had done countless times before, yet today, my mind was elsewhere.Faith.I had plans for tonight. Something simple, nothing extravagant—just something to make her happy. She had been through too much, and if I could bring he
FAITHI stood by the kitchen counter, absentmindedly stirring my tea as my mind replayed last night’s events. My chest felt warm, my heart fluttering, my lips still tingling from his kiss.Blaze.Just the thought of his name sent my pulse racing, my cheeks heating up. I closed my eyes, my fingers curling around the mug, the memory of his touch, his lips, his voice echoing in my mind. I could still feel his warmth, his strength, his presence…“Good morning!”I jolted, nearly spilling my tea as Kristen’s voice echoed through the kitchen. I looked up, my heart pounding, my face flushing as I met her curious gaze.
FAITHBlaze’s eyes widened, his body going rigid, his face flushing.My heart pounded, my chest tightening, my fingers curling against the cold doorknob. I could feel his eyes on me, his gaze heavy, intense, burning.His lips parted, his breath hitching, his shoulders tensing. “Faith… do you… do you know what you are saying?”I looked up at him, my chest tightening, my heart fluttering, my lips curving into a small, defiant smile. “Yeah. I know exactly what I’m saying.”His face softened, his eyes darkening, his lips twitching. “Faith…” His voice was low, rough, strained. “You… you don’t… you don’t have to…”I took a step closer, my body brushing against his, my fingers curling against his chest, my eyes locking onto his. “I want to.”His eyes widened, his body freezing, his breath catching. He stared at me, his gaze intense, searching, his jaw clenching, his shoulders tensing.Then—He moved.His lips were on mine, warm, soft, firm, pressing against me with a desperation, a need that
FAITHBlaze’s eyes flickered with something unreadable before he laughed, his shoulders relaxing, his lips curving into a teasing smile. “Hey, we were having a good mood. Do you really want to ruin it with such a serious topic?”He leaned against the countertop, his arms crossing over his chest, his posture casual, his face softening. “And besides, who cares about that? I mean… are you dying to marry me at the moment that you have to know why I don’t want to?”I felt my face heat up, my eyes widening.“What? No!” I sputtered, my arms flailing in protest. “I was just curious!”Blaze’s lips twitched, his eyes twinkling. “Yeah? W
FAITHBlaze pulled back, his face flushed, his lips swollen, his hair messy, his eyes wide, his chest heaving, his body rigid. He stared at me, his face blank, his eyes unfocused, his breaths coming out in short, shallow pants.Then, his eyes flicked down to my stomach, his lips twitching, his shoulders shaking, his eyes sparkling with amusement.I felt my face burn, my body going rigid, my heart pounding, my chest tightening. “I… I’m hungry…”Blaze let out a low laugh, his shoulders shaking, his eyes twinkling, his lips curving into a playful smile. “Yeah. I got that.”I felt my face burn even more, my body stiffening, my chest tightening. &ld
FAITHThere was a deafening silence.Blaze froze, his body going rigid, his eyes wide with shock. He stared at me, his face blank, his lips parted, his hands stilling mid-motion, the knife slipping from his fingers and clattering onto the countertop.I watched him, my heart pounding, my chest tightening. I could feel my face heating up, my fingers curling against the cold countertop. I could feel his eyes on me, his gaze heavy, intense, unwavering.Time seemed to slow, the air growing thick, suffocating. I could hear the sound of my own heartbeat, loud, frantic, echoing in my ears.Blaze swallowed, his throat bobbing, his shoulders tensing. “You… you better not be kidding me right now.”I felt a small smile forming on my lips, my head tilting to the side as I watched him, my heart fluttering. “Maybe I am kidding.”His face fell, his body sagging, his eyes darkening. “Faith… please… don’t kid about this.” His voice was low, breathless, his face twisted with pain. “Because what I feel f
FAITHI lifted my chin, crossing my arms over my chest. “Lobster Thermidor. I want to eat Lobster Thermidor.”Blaze’s mouth fell open, his face twisting with shock. “I… I have no fucking clue how to make that.”I narrowed my eyes, my nose scrunching up. “Well, you better figure it out.”Blaze blinked, his body stiffening, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. “But… how? I don’t even know where to start.”I lifted an eyebrow, my arms tightening around my chest. “Google it. Look it up on YouTube. Call one of your fancy chefs and ask them how to make it. I don’t care. Just make it. I’m hungry.&r