Chapter 1I stole my bestie's used condom and knocked myself up with her fiancé's baby.
All for the Whitmore fortune's bounty: have the heir, get billions.
My fake bestie Iris? Childfree queen who bullied me for years.
She screamed at Caspian—the Whitmore's ONLY heir.
"Your family's gonna kill me or force you to cheat?!"
"Do you love ME or some baby machine?!"
Caspian was whipped. Swore he'd never touch another woman.
I watched my "woke feminist" bully preach independence while living off his black card.
Called me "bestie" while treating me like trash.
Now I'm cashing in HER for a billion-dollar check.
You won't have his baby? I WILL.
Revenge and billions—I'm taking both. Your man? Bonus.
...
I stared at the two lines on the pregnancy test.
Called the number the Whitmores left.
They showed up fast.
But instead of taking me straight to the estate, they brought me to a private hospital first.
Eight weeks pregnant.
They immediately pushed me onto a gurney.
The Whitmore assistant told me flat out.
"Paternity test first. Then we'll see if there's anything to talk about."
Maybe I had some stupid hope at first.
But when that cold needle went in, I knew exactly where I stood.
The ice-cold vibe around me kept my mouth shut, no matter how much it hurt.
Off the bed. I waited again for hours.
The assistant finally came back.
First time he actually looked at me.
"Let's go."
---
The car headed to the outskirts, eventually stopping at a standalone villa.
When they brought me in, only one woman sat on the couch—elegant, sharp.
Mrs. Whitmore looked up.
"You're my son's fiancée's friend."
"How did YOU get pregnant?"
No way I could tell the truth—had to wing it.
"Mr. Whitmore kept me around for a bit."
"At least you're honest."
Mrs. Whitmore smiled slightly. Pure contempt.
"Let's be clear."
"Later on, we'll do an ultrasound."
Her eyes dropped to my stomach.
"Girl? We give you a house, some cash. You're done with us."
"Boy? He comes into the family. Gets his inheritance."
"And you can rise with him."
I pulled it together.
"Got it."
Mrs. Whitmore seemed satisfied, her tone softening slightly.
"Until we're sure, don't say shit you shouldn't."
"Or else—"
She didn't finish. Just lifted her chin.
---
Conversation over. I finally breathed.
First ticket in. I had it.
But it was too soon to celebrate.
Iris could NOT find out this baby was connected to the Whitmores.
Back then, some girl tried to get into Caspian's bed.
Even though he didn't let her, Iris had her face slashed and dumped in the red light district.
In the end, she lost her mind. They found her naked body in an alley dumpster.
If Iris found out I was pregnant with Caspian's kid—
I didn't dare imagine what would happen to me.
---
I walked home, planning my next move.
Then looked up—and froze.
Iris was leaning against my door.
Holding up a pregnancy test. Smiling like a horror movie.
"Rachel. Pregnant and didn't tell your bestie?"
My pupils shrank, my whole body trembling instinctively.
Iris smiled lazily.
"No wonder you've been ghosting me."
"You act so innocent, but someone knocked you up!"
"Whose is it? That guy who just dropped you off?"
My heart sank.
She'd been with Caspian for years—would she recognize the Whitmore assistant?
Iris's eyes narrowed.
"Why does he look kind of familiar?"
Chapter 2
My palms were slick with sweat. I couldn't speak.
Iris stared after the car, frowning.
I was terrified she'd remember.
Had to distract her.
"What if Caspian knew you cared about some other guy?"
She whipped around. Made a gagging face.
"He's old enough to be my dad. And he looks—ugh, stop!"
"Don't act like everyone's as easy as you. Lights off and you'll sleep with anything."
She didn't suspect. I exhaled.
"He's older, yeah. But he's good to me."
"I'm serious about him."
She glanced where the car had gone.
"Fine. Car's decent."
"With what you've got—no money, no looks, no body—be grateful some old guy even wants you."
"You're already pregnant. When's the wedding? How much is he paying?"
I swallowed my rage. Played pathetic.
"His parents want me to have the baby first."
"If it's a boy, then there'll be money."
Iris looked even more disgusted.
She crossed her arms and eyed me like I was yard sale trash.
"Holy shit, you agreed? You're literally a rental womb."
"Should've told me sooner! I could've set you up with way better guys!"
"Younger. Richer."
"Girl, you got scammed."
I smiled softly. Harmless.
She got bored. Tossed the test on the ground and left.
I watched her go.
However long we'd been "friends," that's how long I'd been her servant.
She loved dragging me to parties.
She'd dress like a princess and shove me into clothes her grandma wouldn't wear.
Then she'd tell everyone how close we were—so close I survived on her charity.
If some creep showed up, she'd push me toward him.
"This is my bestie. She's really sweet. Have fun with her."
If not chewing in front of a starving person is kindness?
Then she was the type who chewed right in my face and smacked her lips on purpose.
Then smiled and asked: "You're not hungry, are you?"
I bent down. Picked up the test.
Gripped it tight.
I was hungry. Of course I was.
But if you knew and still flaunted it—
I had no choice but to take it by force.
---
For the baby, I crammed every pregnancy guide I could find.
Barely a few days passed before Iris called.
"Rachel! Come out!"
I was about to refuse when she cut me off.
"Check my post. Place is booked. Everyone's coming."
"It's to celebrate your pregnancy! You have to come!"
I hadn't checked her feed. Now I opened it.
Pinned photo: my pregnancy test.
Caption: "Congrats to my bestie on her shotgun pregnancy!"
I shut my eyes in frustration.
Mrs. Whitmore's warning echoed in my head.
Chapter 3
The comments under her post were brutal.
"Acts all innocent. Damn!"
"Wonder which rich kid's about to get trapped?"
"Probably doesn't even know whose it is!"
Plenty of them were from other heirs and heiresses.
I didn't know if the Whitmores were watching me. Didn't know if they'd already seen this post.
If I didn't go, and they started spreading more rumors that reached Mrs. Whitmore—
I couldn't risk it.
I had to go.
---
The moment I pushed open the door, every eye dropped to my stomach.
"The guest of honor's here."
Laughter rippled through the room.
Iris came over, looped her arm through mine.
That's when I noticed the scrapes on her arm.
Caspian looked worse.
We were still "best friends," so I had to at least pretend to care.
She leaned in close, all affection.
"We went racing a few days ago. Flipped the car."
"Otherwise I would've thrown this sooner!"
"Shotgun pregnancy and waiting till birth to marry—so progressive! Had to celebrate my girl!"
The room erupted in laughter.
Then, from the corner, someone spoke lazily.
"Pretty convenient timing, don't you think?"
"The Whitmores just announced that heir bounty, and boom—she's pregnant."
It was Briar Kane. Iris's fake bestie.
The kind who smiled to your face and wanted you dead behind your back.
"What if the baby's Caspian's? That'd be interesting."
"No offense. Just saying."
The air shifted instantly.
Every pair of eyes turned to Iris.
I felt it clearly—
Iris's grip tightened.
Her nails dug into my arm.
Ever since the Whitmores went public with their "heir reward," she'd been paranoid about every woman near Caspian.
Even a waitress glancing too long would earn a slap.
She'd always looked down on me, though.
Never saw me as a threat.
But now someone had said it out loud.
Enough to plant suspicion.
"Don't try to mess with me and Rachel."
Iris pulled me into a hug, playing up the sisterhood act.
"Why don't you call your fiancé over?"
"I haven't even met him yet!"
Where the hell was I supposed to find a fiancé?
My throat tightened. I forced a smile.
"He's... really busy."
"Probably can't make it."
Briar let out a soft "Oh."
"I don't think it's that he CAN'T come. I think he's already here."
"Iris, why don't you let Rachel take a look? See if the guy behind you is her fiancé? Haha!"
Caspian usually stayed out of girl drama. He'd been silent this whole time.
Until now.
He slowly lifted his gaze. Cold.
"Spread rumors about me again and you'll lose your tongue."
Briar shut up.
Caspian turned to Iris, voice soft.
"I only love you."
"Besides, someone like Rachel? I wouldn't let her touch my shoes."
But Iris shoved his hand away, refusing to let it go.
"Your fiancé is so busy he can't even show his face?"
The room went dead silent.
Even Caspian paused.
Iris stared at me. No more condescension in her eyes.
Just raw suspicion.
"Is he really that busy?"
"Or does he not exist at all?"
"Rachel, if you can't get your fiancé here today—"
"I'd rather kill the wrong kid than let the real one slip by."
