Chapter 1

My girlfriend was pregnant.

I went to the hospital clinic to pick up her prenatal vitamins and supplements.

Instead, I caught her college ex holding her hand during her ultrasound.

The doctor beamed at them. "Congratulations, you two. The baby is growing beautifully."

Both of them smiled back with sheer bliss written across their faces.

I let out a cold scoff and stepped into view. "You two make such a lovely couple. Make sure you invite me to officiate the wedding."

With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving my girlfriend frozen in utter panic.

"Congratulations, you two. The baby is growing beautifully."

My girlfriend, Maren Young, smiled back with absolute bliss.

The nurse packed up the ultrasound wand and helped Maren sit up. "Being a first-time mom is exhausting, isn't it?"

Maren blushed deeply and cast a tender look at the man sitting beside her. "It's fine. My husband takes such good care of me. It's a happy kind of exhausting."

My chest tightened violently.

In all our three years together, Maren had never once shown such a sweet, vulnerable side to me.

The man smiled gently and rested his hand over her stomach. "It's the least I can do."

Watching their picture-perfect moment, several intern nurses nearby sighed in pure envy.

She genuinely looked like a woman who had married the love of her life.

Standing by the doorway, I felt an absurd surge of fury. It was so ridiculous that I almost laughed out loud.

I knew that man.

His name was Gavin Moore, Maren's first love from college.

They had dated all through school, only to break up right after graduation for reasons she never shared.

Maren had sworn to me multiple times that she had cut all ties with him.

So this was her idea of cutting ties.

Out of nowhere, he was suddenly playing the devoted husband and acting as the father to my child.

Or rather, I couldn't even be sure if the child was mine anymore.

I began to clap slowly, tossing the guidebook on fatherhood in my hand straight into the trash can.

"Congratulations. What an inspiring couple. Truly, a love story for the ages."

The smile on Maren's face froze the second her eyes landed on me. "Kian? What are you doing here?"

The warm, joyful atmosphere in the room shattered instantly.

"Why shouldn't I be here? My girlfriend is out here cuckolding me. Shouldn't I come to see the show?" I narrowed my eyes.

The medical staff gasped, exchanging confused glances. "Wait, what's going on? Aren't they married?"

"Then why is that guy saying she's his girlfriend?"

Their hushed whispers made Maren's face flush between bright red and pale white.

Guilt flashed in her eyes, and she couldn't bring herself to look at me, let alone answer.

Gavin stepped forward, shielding Maren behind him. "If you want to be mad, take it out on me. Leave Maren out of this. I was the one who insisted on coming."

What a touching display of loyalty.

Sensing the rising hostility, the nurse tried to de-escalate the tension.

She asked softly, "Sir, do you know this couple? If you're not with them, please wait in line outside. We will call your name shortly."

Before I could say a word, Maren cut in.

"Nurse, we don't know him at all. Please have security escort him out."

I froze, staring at her in sheer disbelief.

Her words sliced through my chest like a dull blade.

Hearing her deny ever knowing me hurt a hundred times more than catching her with Gavin in that exam room.

I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white and forced a mocking smirk. "Maren, you are truly something else."

Without another word, I turned around and walked out.

I knew I had lost my temper back there.

Deep down, a pathetic part of me still hoped she would chase after me and explain that it was all a huge misunderstanding.