Chapter 35

Two months had passed.

My hands trembled as I stared at the pregnancy test, watching in horror as the second line darkened, confirming what I already feared.

I was pregnant.

Ethan Blackwood’s baby.

The past few months had been hell. I had become an outcast—not just in both families, but at school too. Everyone knew what had happened between me and Ethan, but no one believed me when I said I was drunk.

The blame fell entirely on me. I was the slut who had seduced my sister’s boyfriend while he was wasted.

At school, I was bullied. In town, I was shunned.

My parents barely spoke to me anymore. Isabella had cut me off completely, declaring me dead to her. As for Nathan? It was like I didn’t exist in his world. And Ethan? I hadn’t seen or spoken to him since that night.

My heart had shattered over and over again these past weeks, with no relief from the constant pain and rejection. If I thought life was unbearable before, it was a thousand times worse now.

I was completely alone.

And now, I was pregnant.

Would they force me to get rid of the baby? I wouldn’t put it past them. They were still trying to get Ethan and Isabella back together after she had dumped him.

Glancing around my room, I made a decision.

I couldn’t stay here anymore.

Not for me. Not for my baby.

I placed a hand on my stomach, silently promising this child all the love I had been denied.

Ethan and Nathan were home, so both families had gone out for brunch. Of course, I wasn’t invited. They didn’t want me anywhere near Ethan. Hell, none of them wanted to see my face. They all pretended I didn’t exist.

I started packing frantically. I had some savings from my part-time job—enough for a fresh start. I could keep working until I was eight months along to save more. My father had cut me out of his will, so I had no trust fund to fall back on.

I shoved only the essentials into my suitcase.

Just as I was finishing, the door swung open.

Victoria stood there, her expression cold.

Shit. They weren’t supposed to be back so soon.

“What are you doing?” she asked flatly, eyeing my suitcase. Her voice held no emotion—like she was speaking to a stranger.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I turned to zip my bag. “I’m leaving. No point staying where I’m hated.”

She said something else, but I didn’t listen. I needed to get out. The farther I got from these people, the better.

“What the hell is this, Sophia?” Her sharp tone made me freeze.

I turned slowly.

My stomach dropped.

She was holding the pregnancy test.

Fuck. I had left it on the vanity.

“Nothing. It’s a friend’s,” I lied.

“You don’t have friends.” Her voice was icy. “Is this why you’re running? First, you ruin Ethan’s relationship with Isabella, and now you’re trying to steal his child?” She paced the room, her anger palpable.

“How do you even know it’s his?” I snapped, frustration boiling over. “You all think I’m a slut—it could be anyone’s.”

I just wanted to leave. Was that too much to ask?

“You’re not going anywhere,” she hissed. “Not until we confirm if that baby is Ethan’s.”

Before I could react, she stormed out—locking the door behind her.

I was trapped.

Screaming wouldn’t help. I needed to think.

The window was barred—they’d secured it after realizing I’d snuck out that night.

I sat down, forcing myself to breathe. There had to be a way.

My phone buzzed. Ethan’s name flashed on the screen.

I ignored it.

Of course, Victoria had told him. Why else would he call the girl he believed had taken advantage of him?

The window was my only option.

Grabbing a chair, I smashed the glass. The wooden planks gave way after a few hard shoves. I pushed my suitcase out first, wincing as it hit the ground.

Luckily, my room was at the far end of the house. No one would hear the noise.

Careful of the broken glass, I climbed down.

Freedom.

I grabbed my suitcase, already pulling up the ride-share app on my phone.

My relief was short-lived.

I collided with someone.

Looking up, my blood turned to ice.

Ethan stood before me, his stormy gray eyes burning with fury.

“Were you seriously trying to run away with my child?” His voice was dangerously low.

I dropped my suitcase, throwing my hands up. “I already told your mother—it’s not yours.”

There was no way I was letting my baby grow up in this toxic mess, surrounded by people who hated me.

“You’re lying,” he snarled. “You were a virgin. You might’ve fooled her, but I know that baby is mine.”

I stiffened. How did he know?

“The sheets had blood on them,” he said coldly.

I scoffed. “That doesn’t prove anything. I could’ve slept with a dozen men after.”

His eyes darkened like a brewing storm.

Just then, my ride pulled up.

“I’m sorry I ruined things with Isabella,” I said quickly. “But I have to go. My life isn’t here anymore. I hope you two work things out.”

I tried to step around him, but his grip locked around my wrist.

He handed cash to the driver, dismissing him.

“Ethan, let me go!” I yanked my arm, but he didn’t budge.

“No. We’re getting married. Now. The judge is waiting at your parents’ house.” He dragged me toward the mansion.

“Are you insane? Why would you marry someone you hate?”

“Because that child is mine,” he growled, tightening his grip. “And I won’t let it grow up without a father.”

Panic clawed at my chest. This wasn’t happening.

“We don’t have to do this!” I pleaded. “Tell everyone it’s not yours. I’ll disappear. No one will ever know. Isabella will take you back—”

He stopped walking.

For a second, I thought I’d gotten through to him.

Then—

“No.” His voice was steel. “I may hate you, but I won’t abandon my child.”

He hauled me inside, where the judge, Nathan, and my parents waited.

Thirty minutes later, it was done.

We were married.

Ethan stormed out immediately after, leaving me with my so-called family—who looked at me like I was the devil.

Soon, I was alone.

I placed a hand on my stomach and forced a smile.

Maybe this was a blessing in disguise.

Right then, I made a promise to my baby—they would be born into a loving family.

I would make Ethan fall in love with me.

Somehow.

I smiled, not knowing then how deeply he would break me.