"Miss Anna, congratulations! You're two months pregnant!"

Pregnant.

The word reverberated in Anna’s mind, echoing like a melody she had never dared to dream of.

"A baby..." Her lips parted, but the words were swallowed by a wave of emotion. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the pregnancy test report, her eyes fixed on the words confirming what felt like a miracle. For a fleeting moment, she considered kissing the paper, as if it held the secret to all the happiness in the world.

Her breath hitched, her heart racing as a kaleidoscope of emotions whirled inside her—joy, disbelief, and an almost childlike wonder. She felt a tear slip down her cheek, unnoticed amidst her giddy smile.

Outside the hospital, dusk had painted the sky in hues of amber and lilac, the cool breeze brushing her skin. But Anna didn’t feel the chill. There was a fire in her chest, a warmth she had never known, flickering brighter with every beat of her heart.

"I’m going to be a mother," she whispered, the words tasting surreal. Her thoughts danced ahead. "A boy or a girl?" She smiled at the thought. "A girl would be my little cotton-padded jacket, so soft and sweet. But a boy… a boy could grow up to be so strong and kind."

The image of a tiny face, delicate hands, and bright eyes tugged at her heart. She imagined dressing them up, tiny outfits like little costumes, each one an extension of her joy. The thought made her laugh softly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Her excitement brimmed so fiercely she wanted to scream, to laugh, to let the world know her joy. But glancing at the passersby, she pressed her lips together, swallowing the urge.

Instead, her thoughts turned to Dylan. Her pace slowed, and her hand instinctively rested on her belly.

"What will he say?" she murmured. Her chest tightened. "Will he… will he be as happy as I am?"

A tender smile graced Anna's lips as her hand instinctively rested on her still-flat belly. Her fingertips brushed against the fabric of her dress, as if she could already feel the heartbeat of the life growing inside her.

"Will it be a boy or a girl?" she wondered, her mind painting vivid pictures of a chubby-cheeked infant with bright eyes.

It didn’t matter, really. Boy or girl, her heart swelled with equal love for the child she hadn’t even met yet.

Her smile deepened as she flagged down a taxi, her excitement bubbling over. Every passing moment made her want to run home faster, to share the news that had set her soul alight.

The taxi stopped in front of a sprawling, luxurious villa. The mansion stood like a jewel in the heart of the city, nestled among rows of estates that seemed to whisper wealth and exclusivity. This was the kind of neighborhood where most people could work their entire lives and still not afford even the smallest corner.

Anna took a moment to glance up at the villa, its grandeur never failing to awe her. She had come from modest beginnings, her family scraping by just enough to make ends meet. But life had taken an unexpected turn the day she met Dylan.

A fleeting memory surfaced: the university celebration where their paths first crossed. Dylan, with his magnetic presence and quiet confidence, had chosen her—ordinary, unassuming Anna. From that moment, her life had changed. Designer bags, lavish gifts, and a life of privilege had followed, sparking envy in the hearts of women who longed for what she had.

But none of that compared to this moment. She was carrying Dylan’s child now, a gift far greater than material treasures.

She stifled a laugh at the thought of his usual stoic expression cracking with emotion when she told him. Would he smile? Laugh? Or would he just stare in stunned silence before finally embracing her?

Her steps grew lighter as she walked up the cobblestone path to the door, her feet almost dancing in rhythm with the joy in her heart.

Standing at the door, she pulled out her key, the metal cool against her fingertips. She slid it into the lock, twisting gently. The door creaked open, revealing the warm, elegant interior of the home she now shared with Dylan.

She paused, her excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. This was a moment she wanted to savor. Deciding to surprise him, she stepped inside quietly, closing the door behind her without a sound.

However, after she quietly pushed open the door, she noticed that the lights inside were on.

Did he return home so early?

"Did he come home early?" she thought, her lips curving into a soft smile. She was eager to see him, to share the news that had transformed her world.

But her steps faltered.

By the entrance, neatly placed on the floor, was a pair of bright red women’s high heels, sitting side by side with Dylan’s familiar slippers.

The sight froze her in place. A sudden chill ran through her veins, dulling the warmth she’d felt just moments ago. Her breathing slowed, shallow and uneven, as her instincts kicked in, sharp and undeniable.

Her mind raced, scrambling for explanations, but none felt right. Before she could gather her thoughts, the sound of water splashing reached her ears.

The bathroom door creaked open, and there he was.

Dylan stepped out, steam swirling around him. His tall, commanding figure filled the hallway. His damp, jet-black hair clung to his forehead, and water droplets trickled down his chiseled chest, accentuating every line of his muscular frame. A towel hung loosely at his hips, revealing just enough to make her heart betray her with a quickened pace, despite the turmoil brewing inside her.

His face—handsome enough to rival any star—held the same allure that had once captivated her. His deep-set, narrow eyes, framed by thick lashes, locked onto hers. For a brief, fleeting second, the world seemed to pause.

Anna tightened her grip on the pregnancy report hidden behind her back, the paper crinkling softly under the pressure. She forced a smile, shaky but sweet, trying to steady herself.

"I’m pregnant, you know!" she almost blurted out, but the words got caught in her throat, tangled with doubt.

And then, the voice.

"Dylan, are you done bathing yet?"

The lazy, sensual tone slashed through the air like a dagger.

Anna’s smile froze, her breath hitching.

Before she could process the shock, a woman emerged. Her fiery red dress clung to her curves, the fabric bold and provocative, while her bare feet moved gracefully across the floor. She stopped beside Dylan, her red-painted nails brushing against his arm as she leaned into him, her touch possessive and intimate.

Anna’s world crumbled.

The report in her hand trembled, its once joyful meaning dissolving into something bitter and cruel. She stared at Dylan, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came.

The woman cast Anna a flirtatious glance, her eyes gleaming with a smug, challenging look.

Anna felt the air leave her lungs as if she had plummeted from the heavens straight into a frozen abyss. Her face turned ghostly pale, her lips parting to speak, but no sound emerged.

She wasn’t naive. The scene before her spoke louder than any words could.

Did they sleep together? Or had they been entangled in some twisted, secret relationship all along?

The woman didn’t bother to explain. Instead, she let out a derisive laugh, her voice dripping with mockery. "Anna, Dylan’s grown tired of you. A whole year—long enough for a fling, don’t you think? It’s time for you to leave. I’m the new woman of this house now."

Anna stumbled, her knees weak as if the ground had shifted beneath her. The words struck her like a slap to the face, leaving her stunned and breathless.

She turned to Dylan, her gaze trembling with disbelief, silently pleading for denial—for anything to make this nightmare less real.

But Dylan stood there, his face devoid of emotion, as if carved from stone. The warmth she had once found in his eyes was gone, replaced by an unreadable coldness. The love, the tenderness she had cherished, had vanished without a trace.

After a tense pause, Dylan’s lips parted, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "So, are you satisfied with what you’ve seen?"

Anna’s voice quivered, barely audible. "Why?"

Dylan’s expression darkened, his words laced with venom. "Why, you ask? Did you think I wouldn’t find out about your little secrets? Three months ago, you used my money to help Liam."

Her heart raced, panic swelling in her chest. "Something urgent happened in his family! It was a loan—I intended to pay it back!"

His scoff was sharp, almost cruel. "And a month ago? You were seen entering a hotel and didn’t come out until morning."

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently. "That night… I drank too much with a producer! He helped me book a room. What was I supposed to do, sleep on the street?"

Dylan’s voice rose, harsh and accusatory. "Do you really think I don’t know? You slept with him, Anna. Stop pretending!"

"You—!"

Anna gasped, her hand shooting up to point at him, trembling with fury and heartbreak. Her chest heaved, her words caught in her throat as she fought to breathe.

"When… when have I ever slept with Liam?" she choked out, her voice breaking.