Chapter 1Just because I blacklisted his first love's hair salon, my boyfriend actually sent me—five months pregnant—on a hiking trip to the remote Cascade wilderness.
For a whole decade, Cassian Kemnis treated me with warmth and patience—always the perfect boyfriend.
Until he took me to his first love—Melody Merouin's hair salon for a haircut.
His precious ex deliberately destroyed the long hair I'd been growing for eighteen years.
My modeling agency blacklisted her salon to protect me from further damage.
Never expected my own devoted boyfriend would ditch me in the freaking Cascade wilderness.
After I barely made it back—exhausted, scared out of my mind—I heard him cracking up with his buddies.
"Come on, it was just a little lesson. Does she seriously think she's hot shit or something? Girl's knocked up with no ring—who the hell else is gonna want her dirty bitch besides me?"
I didn’t cry, just scheduled an abortion appointment instead.
Cassian Kemnis, we're done!
...
"Look at her—she's all bloated now, and her own family's cutting ties with her. And she still had the nerve to mess with Melody? Big fucking deal—just lost a bit of hair and pay some damn penalty fees. You don't screw with Melody. This is what happens."
I stood frozen in the doorway, listening to Cassian's words, my whole body shaking.
Seven days. It took me seven whole goddamn days to get out of those mountains, filthy and soaked to the bone.
Up until this exact moment, I'd been holding onto desperate hope—praying my own boyfriend wasn't the one who dumped me in that hellish place.
"Dude, aren’t you afraid she’ll call off the wedding if she finds out?" his buddy asked.
Cassian snorted.
"Doesn't matter if she knows or not. I'm all she's got. Nobody else would want her used-up bitch now. Besides, she's crazy in love with me. Pathetic."
His words cut through me like knives, ripping my heart to shreds.
He was so confident I'd never leave him.
I forced a bitter smile and stumbled to the corner store to borrow their phone.
"Hello, Dad? It's me, Aurora."
An irritated voice came through the speaker.
"You still have the nerve to call? I threw all your fucking stuff in the dumpster outside. Go dig through it yourself and don’t ever contact me. You're a fucking disgrace whore."
Before I could say another word, he hung up.
Cassian was right. Nobody wanted me anymore.
Even my own father had given up on me.
Ten years ago, Cassian saved me on that snowy mountain when I was ready to end it all. Gave me a second chance at life.
He said I had the most beautiful eyes.
Later I realized it was because they looked exactly like Melody's.
He'd been looking right through me at his percious ex this whole time.
I walked out into the rain and stumbled barefoot into the hospital.
"Hi, I need to schedule an abortion. As soon as possible."
After a full examination, the doctor shook his head.
"Ma'am, you're severely malnourished and weak. Your uterine wall is dangerously thin, and at twenty weeks... if we do this procedure, you'll might never have children again."
My face went pale, my hands trembling.
"Please do it."
I couldn't even take care of myself right now—how could I be so selfish as to bring a child into this nightmare?
The surgery was scheduled for next week.
I dragged myself home, looking like hell.
"Jesus Christ, Aurora, you look like hell. Can't you just stay put when you're pregnant? Always gotta cause drama."
Cassian's voice was mocking. His friends were cracking up behind him.
Ten years of Oscar-worthy performances. Ten years of my love down the drain.
I ignored them, just headed upstairs to the bedroom.
Funny how that oversized wedding portrait of us looking so in love is still hanging above the bed, like nothing ever happened."
Right. I'd almost forgotten—our wedding was only in a month away.
Just another chance for him to humiliate me, wasn't it?
Timing it perfectly for when I'd really start showing.
Let everyone see the knocked-up bride.
I checked my phone. My agent had managed to push back the three million I owed in penalties.
Now I felt nothing but bitterness.
This was it. Game over.
That night, Cassian spooned me from behind, his hand on my belly.
"You and our little one are okay... right?"
Chapter 2
"Yeah."
I closed my eyes, my voice flat as hell.
Cassian's hand jerked away like I'd slapped him. My coldness clearly caught him off guard.
"Cassian... do you actually love me?"
He didn't even hesitate.
"Of course I do."
Right on cue, his phone started buzzing.
I could hear her crying through the speaker.
"Cassian, I had that nightmare again where you abandon me. I'm so scared. Please don't marry her, don't leave me, please..."
His voice turned all soft and urgent.
"Hey, hey, Melody, it's okay. That's never gonna happen. I'm coming over right now."
After he hung up, he glanced back at me.
"Aurora, quit the drama. I told you I'd marry you, and I meant it. Just take care of yourself and the baby."
Maybe dumping me in the mountains was finally eating at him, because suddenly he was pretending to give a shit about me.
Then he was out the door, running to her like always.
To him, I'd never be anything more than Melody's cheap stand-in.
I got up and looked at all our old photos around the room.
Funny thing—ever since Melody came back, we hadn't taken a single picture together.
At 3 AM, Melody posted on Instagram.
Photos of Cassian driving all over the city at midnight hunting for her favorite macarons.
A video of him making her pasta from scratch in her kitchen.
Shit he'd never done for me. Not once in ten years.
Cassian always told me to "be more understanding."
And I never asked for anything.
Turns out he didn't want someone understanding—he just didn't want me.
I grabbed every photo of us and ripped them to shreds, cutting up my hands in the process.
Just like all the little wounds Cassian thought didn't count.
Next morning, I ripped down every wedding decoration in the house.
Keys jingled in the lock.
Melody walked in like she owned the place.
"God, Aurora, look at you. What makes you think you can compete with me?"
Straight to the point. I had to give her that.
But I'm not surprised at her here at all. "What do you want, Melody?"
My voice was ice.
"Aw honey, if it bothers you, I won't move in. I just thought you could use some help. Cassian's worried sick about you."
Suddenly she was all sweet and concerned.
Which meant Cassian was about to show up.
Her sharp nails dug right into my belly.
I pushed her hands away, protecting my baby on instinct.
Melody let out this dramatic scream and threw herself backward, slamming her head into the corner of the coffee table.
Blood started trickling down her face.
"Melody!"
Cassian dropped his suitcases and rushed to her side.
"I'm fine, Cassian. Aurora's just... pregnancy hormones, you know? Don't be mad at her—I shouldn't have surprised her like that."
Her eyes filled with tears, blood and mascara running down her cheeks.
"What the fuck, Aurora? You keep attacking Melody for no goddamn reason. What is your problem?"
Cassian pointed at me like I was some kind of monster.
"Cassian, don't blame Aurora, okay? I'm sure she didn't mean it. Let’s just be thankful she’s safe."
Melody tugged on his sleeve, playing the perfect victim.
"Please, stop with the constant doubts. If I really did hook up with Melody, do you honestly think you could compete with her? Look at yourself—Jesus, fat as hell."
Chapter 3
I didn't say a word to defend myself against Cassian's accusations.
In the past, I would've been crying and begging for forgiveness by now.
Not anymore. Not ever again.
After a long silence, Cassian looked confused by my coldness.
He couldn't figure out why I wasn't breaking down like usual.
"You done? I'm tired."
I turned and walked back to the bedroom. No explanations, no drama, no fear of anyone leaving.
That night, Cassian slipped into bed and pulled me close.
"Aurora, I'm exhausted, okay? Just... be good and stop picking fights with Melody. Our wedding's in a month, and I'll give you everything I promised, alright?"
He buried his face in my hair, his hand gently rubbing my belly.
"Mm-hmm."
My voice was dead flat.
I don't want the wedding. I don't want the baby. I don't want anything that has to do with you anymore.
Keep your fucking promises yourself.
The next day, Cassian dragged me and Melody to hang out with his friends.
He said I'd be "more comfortable" in the back seat.
I closed my eyes and listened to him and Melody laugh and flirt in the front.
All their inside jokes, their shared history. None of it included me.
At the bar, it was the usual crowd—Cassian's asshole buddies.
All of them were Team Melody.
"Damn, the wife and the mistress, side by side like besties! Man, talk about living the dream!" His buddy teased.
"Oh my god, don't say that! Aurora's carrying his baby—I could never compete with that! Cassian and I are just friends!"
Melody covered her face, all fake-bashful.
"Cut it out, guys."
Cassian barely tried to shut them down.
"Aurora, sit here."
He pulled out my chair, then immediately did the same for Melody.
When the server started pouring drinks, Cassian grabbed his wrist before he could fill Melody's glass.
"Skip her—she gets all red and gross when she drinks."
I stared at my own glass, already filled to the top, and almost laughed.
Didn't give a damn to his pregrent fiancée, but another woman. Guess Cassian did love her.
Someone suggested playing spin the bottle with truth or dare.
First spin landed on Melody.
They dared her to play the pocky game with someone.
She covered her face like she was so embarrassed, then pointed at Cassian all shy.
"Cassian, would you... help me out?"
He glanced at me, saw my blank expression and shrugged.
"Yeah, whatever."
Everyone lost their minds cheering as their faces got closer and closer.
The whole table went crazy while I just sat there quietly rub my belly.
Like everyone forgot I was supposed to be Kevin's fiancée.
After they finished the cookie, Cassian's ears were bright red.
"Bro, it's honestly tragic you two never hooked up. I always thought you'd end up together—you're like, soulmates or whatever. Plus all that crazy shit you used to do for Melody in college? Good times."
Cassian shot him a warning look and the guy finally shut up.
Then he grabbed my hand.
"Aurora, they're just messing around. Don't take it seriously."
I smiled at him like I couldn't care less.
"It's fine. Doesn't bother me."
Cassian looked satisfied with my reaction.
Then the bottle spun again.
This time it pointed at me.
I looked around the table. They all had this excited, predatory look.
"Ooh, how about pregnant mama does her best kangaroo impression? She's already got the pouch going, and that hair's looking pretty wild—just hop around a bit!"
I looked straight at Cassian.
He didn't stop them or think there was anything wrong with his friends humiliating his pregnant fiancée.
He was totally used to it.
Because this wasn't the first time anyway.
I used to think taking their dirty shit was my ticket into his world.
It took me way too long to realize some circles aren't worth joining—especially when they make it crystal clear you're not wanted.
