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Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
JULIA
I stood there, staring at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test. My hands shook so badly that I almost dropped it.
"Goodness," I muttered, massaging the bridge of my nose.
I knew I had been feeling off lately. The dizziness, the nausea-it all made sense now.
I glanced at the clock and sighed. Evan would be home soon. My heart raced at the thought.
Would he be happy?
I bit my lip, trying to swallow down the nerves bubbling up inside me.
"There's no need to feel this way, Julia," I muttered, smiling at my reflection in the mirror.
Evan loved me. He'd called me the greatest gift in his life more times than I could count! He'd always chosen me, even when girls with prettier faces and wealthier families tried to steal his attention. He never even glanced at them!
However, there was still a nagging doubt that made my fingers curl tighter around the pregnancy test.
Evander Cassiel Astor-the heir to Astor Empires and my boyfriend of four years.
We'd been together since our freshman year of high school. We were freshmen in college now, and even before we started dating, we'd been best friends. We knew each other better than anyone else.
But then I thought about the last few weeks.
He had definitely been more distant and colder than usual.
It started right after the freshman welcoming party. I remembered that night clearly. Evan hadn't come because he had some company event-another step in his training as the future CEO. His dad had always been strict about that, pushing him harder than anyone else.
I'd told myself that was why he'd been acting off lately. He was just stressed and overwhelmed with everything expected of him. It wasn't about us.
It couldn't be-even if something strange happened at the party.
I tried to take a deep breath, but it came out shaky.
The last time we'd been together, really together, was a month ago.
It was right before that party. We'd spent the night at his apartment, just the two of us. I could still remember the way he looked at me, the softness in his eyes as he ran his fingers through my hair. That was the last time we made love. The last time he'd kissed me like I was the only girl in the world.
He'd been different since then.
So now, I couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to it. I shook my head, clearing the thoughts away.
This was Evan. My Evan. He loved me, and he'd be happy. We'd figure it out together.
The front door opened, and I jumped, quickly shoving the pregnancy test in my back pocket.
I heard his footsteps before I saw him. He appeared a moment later, looking more worn out than I'd ever seen him. His usually neatly styled black hair was a mess, and the dark circles under his eyes made him look older than nineteen.
"Hey," I said, forcing a smile as I moved toward him. "You're home. I made dinner."
He glanced at me, barely acknowledging my words. "I already ate," he said flatly, rubbing his temples like he had a headache.
"Oh," I said, my voice small. "Then, I-I have something to tell you."
Evan's eyes flickered up to meet mine. "Is it important?" he asked, sounding almost annoyed.
"Well, I have something to tell you, too," he said, cutting through my thoughts.
I blinked, surprised. "That's great," I said, my smile widening a bit. It had been so long since we'd had a normal, casual conversation. Maybe this was a good sign. Maybe things were going back to the way they used to be.
I reached into my back pocket with a small smile.
"I want to go first-"
"We should break up."
His words hit me like a punch to the stomach, knocking the air out of my lungs. I froze, staring at him, convinced I must have heard him wrong.
"What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Evan's expression didn't change. He looked tired and bored-like he was saying something as simple as the weather being cloudy.
"We should break up," he repeated.
I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me. Everything I'd been holding onto, every bit of hope and certainty, crumbled away.
I felt the outline of the pregnancy test with my fingers, but I didn't have the strength to bring it out and show it to him.
"Julia?" Evan's voice cut through the fog in my mind. "Did you hear me?"
I looked up at him, my eyes wide and my heart hammering in my chest. "Why?" was all I managed to say.
He ran a hand through his hair, sighing and acting like our conversation was an inconvenience.
"I've been thinking about it for a while," he said. "We've been together for so long, and I just...I need space. I need to focus on my future and the company. There's too much pressure. I can't do this anymore. And you know what happened at the party," he continued.
"I can't look at you that way anymore. I'm sorry."
Julia frowned. "The party again? What even happened? Why is nobody telling me?"
Evan scoffed and shook his head. "See? You don't even know. Just-I don't want anything to do with you anymore, alright? I'll give you some time to pack your things. I'll head out for a while."
I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.
How could he say this? How could he look at me and say these things so calmly?
"But I...I love you," I managed to choke out, tears welling up in my eyes.
Evan's face softened for a moment, but it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared. He took a step back, putting more distance between us. "I'm sorry, Julia," he said, but his voice was hollow.
"I don't love you anymore."
I watched him turn away, heading toward the door. My legs felt like they were glued to the floor, my whole body numb.
The pregnancy test still lay there, forgotten in my pocket. He didn't see it. He didn't know.
And now he never would.
The door clicked shut behind him, and I sank to my knees, staring at the ground with tears streaming down my face.
This was supposed to be the start of something beautiful.
Instead, it was the moment everything fell apart.
What hurts more than falling in love with a person who could never love you back? Eloise Rivers, being in dire need of money for her brotherās hospital fees, agrees to marry multi-millionaire Vaughn Ryder and become his surrogate. The catch? Vaughn gets to stay with his long-term girlfriend and divorce Eloise after she gives them the baby. However, in the worst circumstances, Eloise falls in love with Vaughn when Vaughn could never love her back. And now that she is pregnant, Vaughn suddenly wants to call off their deal? āIām pregnāā āLetās get a divorce,ā Vaughn coldly said. āWhat?ā Eloise looked at him with wide eyes. āLetās call off the deal while youāre still not pregnant. Alina already said that sheās willing to start a family with me.ā āBut I already am,ā she wanted to say. But in the end, Vaughn had already made his decision. He didnāt want the baby.
Being assigned to become the personal guard of a mafia boss is already a difficult task. Becoming his guard and carrying his child at the same time? Nearly impossible. āThe baby isnāt yours.ā Luciano smirked, a deadly glint flashing in his eyes. āOh, really?ā he asked, one of his eyebrows raised. He walked closer to me, each of his steps resonating in the dark room. I couldnāt help but gulp at the sight of him. It has been three long years since Iāve last seen him, but why has he even gotten hotter than before? āIām going to ask you once more,ā he said, leaning closer to my face. I held my head up high, determined not to succumb to his charm. āIs she mine?ā I shook my head. āDefinitely not yours.ā His jaw ticked, and he looked to the side before leaning his face even closer to mine, his hot breath hovering over my lips. I held in my breath and watched the alluring movement of his lips. āThen, which scoundrel does that child belong to?ā I placed both of my hands on his chest and gently pushed him back. āWhy? What are you going to do about it if you know?ā He tilted his head to the side and smirked. āIām going to kill that bastard.ā
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was backāand with childāthey couldnāt wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, Iām the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it allāfrom standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didnāt return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachelās terminal illness and realized she didnāt have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"