Chapter 1

Caleb and I were a match made in corporate heaven, a strategic merger of two empires. For three years, he played the part of the devoted husband perfectly, catering to my every whim.

After years of trying, I finally saw those two pink lines on the stick. I was ecstatic, rushing to his office to share the news that would change our lives.

But the door wasn't fully closed. I walked in on him and his secretary, Maya, in the middle of a heated affair right on his mahogany desk.

My heart shattered as I heard his ragged voice whisper to her. He told her he had already hired a specialist to gaslight me once the baby was born.

He planned to make me believe I had delivered a stillborn. Meanwhile, he would hand our child over to Maya to raise as her own.

Maya whimpered with joy, her face flushed with triumph. Caleb's excitement only grew as he promised to finish siphoning off my family's assets.

He told her he would faked his own death once the money was safe. Then, the three of them would live happily ever after in some tropical paradise.

The betrayal hit me like a physical blow. I stood there, frozen, as my world turned to ash.

If that was his plan, then I would take control. I would terminate this pregnancy on my own terms and walk away before he could take another thing from me.

1.

I quietly pulled the office door shut and retreated from the executive floor. My hands were shaking, but my mind was suddenly sharp.

I timed my exit perfectly. Caleb was a creature of habit, and for three years, he had never missed a lunch date with me to maintain his image.

I walked into the upscale bistro across from the Sterling Group headquarters and took a seat. A moment later, my phone buzzed.

"Sienna, where are you? I was just about to come find you for lunch," Caleb said, his voice dripping with faux concern.

I swallowed the urge to scream and kept my voice steady. "I'm just feeling a bit lazy today. I'm at the place across the street."

He arrived within minutes, slightly out of breath. I pushed a glass of iced tea toward him, but he didn't take it.

Instead, he grabbed my hand, his eyes searching mine. "Sienna, what did I tell you about eating out? We're trying for a baby."

He looked like the picture of a worried husband. "The food here isn't as clean as what we make at home. What if there are hormones or additives that hurt our chances?"

In the past, this possessiveness felt like love. Now, it felt like a cage.

I pulled my hand away and gave him a cold look. "I'm done being a housewife. From now on, I'm eating whatever I want."

Caleb's expression darkened. "Sienna, don't be difficult. I'm only doing this for you."

I didn't argue. I simply placed my designer bag on the table and stood up. "I need to use the restroom."

I knew exactly what he would do. Caleb was paranoid because he was a liar; he would definitely dig through my things to see if I was hiding something.

When I came back, he was beaming. He was holding the lab results I'd intentionally left in the side pocket of my bag.

He rushed over and touched my belly with a look of pure greed in his eyes. "Sienna! Why didn't you tell me? I'm going to be a father!"

He was vibrating with excitement, but I knew it wasn't for me. "Wait right here. I'm calling that nutritionist I told you about. You need the best care starting now."