FAITHI felt Reagan’s push, sudden and forceful, sending me tumbling forward. The cold, hard ground stung against my hands, and a sharp jolt of humiliation flared in my chest. My instincts screamed to fight back, but I swallowed them down, taking a slow breath as I pushed myself up.“Who do you think you are?” Reagan’s voice cut through the air, dripping with disdain. “How dare you ignore me, Faith? How arrogant can you be?”I took a deep breath, brushing off the dirt, meeting her gaze with all the strength I could summon. “I am not arrogant,” I said, keeping my tone steady, but I could feel the anger rising within me. “You are the one who is insecure, Reagan. You had to go after a taken man and win him over just to feel better about yourself. That’s not confidence; it’s pathetic insecurity.”Her face twisted in shock, and her mouth opened in a silent gasp. She shot a pleading look at Austin, who was just standing there, silent. “Are you seriously going to let her talk to me like tha
FAITHI could feel my heart sink as I stared at the "On Sale" placard swinging in the wind. The words seemed to blur in front of my eyes, the finality of it all hitting me in waves.I had barely even processed the dread creeping up my spine when I heard the front door creak open.I ran towards the house, my breath sharp, my mind racing. The world around me felt suspended, like I was caught in a storm and the only thing I could do was hold on and wait for it to pass.But the storm had already arrived.When I walked in, I froze in the doorway, my heart skipping a beat when I saw an unfamiliar figure inside.
FAITHIt 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
FAITHThe lecture hall buzzed with the sound of students shuffling papers and zipping backpacks as the professor dismissed us. I stretched, feeling the tension in my shoulders from sitting through two back-to-back classes.The first day back always felt like a marathon.Grabbing my bag, I made my way out, weaving through the throng of students spilling into the hallway. My mind was already running through my schedule for the rest of the day when I heard a voice behind me.“Hey, Faith, wait up!”I turned to see a group of guys walking toward me. One of them, a tall brunette with a cocky grin, fell into step beside me. “It&rsq
FAITHAs I pushed open the heavy oak doors of the mansion, a faint echo followed me into the grand hall. The familiar scent of polished wood and roses from the sprawling arrangements greeted me. I ran my fingers through my freshly styled hair, still marveling at the change. It felt lighter, freer, and a bit like stepping into a version of myself I wasn’t used to yet.Just as I was about to head toward the staircase, Kristin’s voice, cool and slightly clipped, stopped me.“Ooh, I like your haircut,” she said, her tone neutral but with an undercurrent of approval. She was perched on one of the velvet chairs in the sitting area, her posture impeccable. “It suits you perfectly.”I turned toward her, smiling faintly. Kristin had a way of making even compliments sound like she was sizing you up. “Thanks,” I said, tucking a strand of my new wavy hair behind my ear. “I needed a change.”She tilted her head slightly, her glossy dark hair catching the sunlight filtering through the tall windo
FAITHA week later, I woke up early, buzzing with energy I hadn’t felt in a long time. The sunlight streamed through the windows, and for once, I didn’t mind. I jumped out of bed, threw on a simple outfit, and hurried downstairs.Michael, my assigned bodyguard, was waiting outside the mansion, leaning casually against the black SUV. His brown hair was slightly tousled, and as usual, he had that boyish charm that made him seem less intimidating than he probably wanted to be.“Good morning,” he greeted me as I approached.“Morning!” I said brightly, sliding into the passenger seat. “Let’s go to the best hair salon nearby.”Michael raised an eyebrow, climbing into the driver’s seat. “The best hair salon nearby?” he repeated, starting the car. “Don’t you have your classes in a couple of hours? Why are you going to a hair salon now?”I waved him off, leaning back in my seat. “It’s just… I woke up this morning, looked at my hair in the mirror, and thought ‘ew, I need a new haircut.’ New sem
FAITHSleep evaded me that night. No matter how many times I rolled over or adjusted the pillows, my mind wouldn’t quiet. Hillary’s words kept replaying, her cold voice and the unsettling weight of what she’d said: “Don’t get too attached to the child in your womb. It’s not yours, after all.”I tossed the blanket off with a frustrated sigh and decided to head to the kitchen for some warm milk.Maybe that would help. As I padded down the hallway, the faint glow of light spilling out from under Blaze’s study door caught my eye.Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked inside. There he was, seated at his desk, his shirt sleeves rol
Chapter 23: That Painful?FAITHAs we pulled up to the doctor’s office, Hillary’s car stopped behind ours. She stepped out, her expression impassive as she adjusted her coat and walked toward us. Blaze’s grip on my hand tightened slightly as we headed inside.When we reached the reception desk, Blaze turned to Hillary, his tone clipped. “Wait here. We will handle this on our own.”Hillary raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint, sarcastic smile. “Whatever you say, Blaze,” she replied coolly, stepping back.Without another glance in her direction, Blaze led me into the clinic, his hand still steady on mine. The interior was warm and welcoming, nothing like the sterile environment I’d expected. We were greeted by a nurse who guided us to Dr. Clarissa’s cabin.Dr. Clarissa stood as we entered, her kind smile immediately putting me at ease. She was in her early 40s, with neatly styled hair and an air of calm professionalism.“Faith,” she said warmly, extending a hand. “It’s lov
FAITHI was sprawled across the bed, surrounded by a fortress of thick books, my frustration mounting with every page. Jessica’s voice echoed in my head—“I want you to finish reading them all!”—and I groaned, burying my face in my hands.The door knocked softly, snapping me out of my misery. “Come in,” I mumbled, flipping a page halfheartedly.Blaze stepped in, looking effortlessly put together in a crisp white shirt and tailored pants. He raised an eyebrow when he saw me buried under the books. “Are you ready for your appointment?”I looked up, confused and annoyed. “What appointment?”Blaze crossed his arms, glancing at the books piled around me. “Uh, your doctor’s appointment?” he said slowly, as if I’d forgotten something obvious. “The one I told you about this morning?”I groaned dramatically, rolling onto my back and flailing my arms. “Ugh. Fine. I will go. I just need to throw a tantrum first.”Blaze chuckled, his laugh warm and amused. “Alright,” he said with a grin. “Have you
FAITHBefore I could even register what was happening, Blaze’s arm shot out, steadying me against the seat. His grip was firm, protective, and his other hand tightened on the steering wheel as he muttered a string of curses under his breath.“Are you okay?” he asked sharply, his voice cutting through the ringing in my ears.I nodded quickly, though my heart was pounding so loudly it drowned out my words.Blaze didn’t wait for a response. He rolled down the window, leaning halfway out as he glared at the car in front of us.“Hey! Watch where the hell you are going!” he barked, his voice sharp enough to make me wince.
FAITHThe question hit me like a bolt, and I instinctively looked away. “What? No, of course not,” I said quickly, hoping my voice sounded more convincing than it felt.Blaze stepped closer, his gaze unwavering as he reached out and cupped my face with one hand. The warmth of his touch startled me, and my breath caught as his thumb brushed the corner of my eye.“No,” he said softly but firmly, his eyes narrowing. “Your eyes are swollen. You definitely cried.”My throat tightened, and I tried to pull back, but his hand remained steady. His gaze hardened, calm but laced with anger. “Who made you cry?”I shook my head, opening my mouth to
FAITHKristin’s sharp poke to my side jolted me out of my daze. “Hey,” she said grumpily, her voice low but laced with irritation. “What’s with the deer-in-headlights look? You know those people or something?”I blinked rapidly, trying to regain my composure. “No,” I lied, my voice shaky. “I just… zoned out.”Kristin’s eyes narrowed as she studied me, clearly unconvinced. “Yeah, sure,” she muttered before grabbing my wrist. “Come on. Let’s go before you turn into a statue right here in the middle of the store.”She didn’t wait for my response, tugging me away from the display window and deeper into the boutique. My feet moved automatically, but my mind stayed firmly rooted outside, where Reagan and Austin stood.Seeing them together after a month felt like a punch to the gut. I’d convinced myself I was over it—or at least on my way to being over it—but clearly, I’d been lying to myself.The sight of Reagan laughing with Austin, her hand casually brushing his arm, brought back a flood