Chapter 1

My wedding was only a month away.

But I was starting to wonder if I should even walk down the aisle.

The reason was the same as always―my fiancé wanted to have a child with his best friend's widow.

Caleb Sterling looked me in the eye and said, "Jeremy was my brother. He's gone now, and he left Serena all alone. She's tried to end her life several times."

"If she had a child to focus on, maybe she could finally move past this grief," he added.

I couldn't wrap my head around it. I looked at Caleb and asked, "If she wants a baby, she can adopt. She can remarry. She can go to a clinic and pick a donor. Why does it have to be you?"

Caleb sighed as if I was the one being difficult. "Jeremy entrusted her to me on his deathbed. Serena doesn't know anyone else in the city. She only trusts me."

"Caleb, don't you realize how insane this sounds?"

He shrugged it off. "It's just IVF, Ivy. It's not like anything physical will happen between us. I'm still marrying you."

I had known Caleb for fifteen years. We had been dating for thirteen. I had waited a lifetime for the day I could finally call him my husband.

I never expected the universe to play such a cruel joke on me right at the finish line.

"And what will the child call you?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Uncle? Or... Daddy?"

A flicker of discomfort crossed Caleb's face, replaced quickly by irritation. "The kid can call me whatever they want. I don't care."

I couldn't agree to this. Not in a million years.

Because of this, Caleb had been giving me the cold shoulder for months.

"Just think about it," Caleb said, grabbing his keys. "Serena hasn't been doing well lately. I'm afraid she might do something drastic. I'm going to stay with her for a few days to keep an eye on her. I'll be back for the wedding."

And then he walked out.

He took two massive suitcases with him.

He packed his clothes, his toiletries, and everything he used daily.

I stood alone in our empty house. The red decorations for our wedding were already up on the windows. Now, they just looked like a mockery.

My phone buzzed. It was the bridal shop.

"Hello, Ms. Vance? Could you send over your and Mr. Sterling's measurements? We need to finalize the custom tailoring for the gown and the suit as soon as possible."

I had my own measurements, but I realized I didn't know Caleb's exact size.

I called him. To my surprise, he picked up quickly. "Changed your mind?" he asked.

In the background, I heard a woman's voice. It was soft, almost feline. "Who is it, honey?"

I recognized that voice instantly.

It was Serena Delancy, the widow of his so-called brother.

"Nobody," Caleb replied to her.

"The movie was just getting to the good part," Serena pouted loud enough for me to hear. "Calling at a time like this... what a buzzkill."

I let out a cold laugh. "You're watching a movie with her? I thought she was so depressed she was on the verge of suicide."

Caleb's tone turned sharp and angry. "I just brought her out to change her mood. How is she supposed to move on from Jeremy's death if she's trapped in that house all day?"

It was such a noble excuse.

Just as absurd as the idea of him fathering her child.

"Fine. Enjoy your movie. I'm hanging up," I said.

"Ivy, what is wrong with you? You call me just to give me an attitude?"

I took a deep breath. "Caleb, do you even intend to go through with this wedding?"

"Whether we get married or not doesn't change the fact that I'm helping Serena. I have to ensure Jeremy's legacy continues."

"Fine," I said.

"You're agreeing to it?" Caleb sounded relieved.

"Yeah. Whatever."

"That's my girl. Don't worry, I'll be there for the ceremony on time..."

I hung up before he could finish.

If getting married didn't stop him from having a baby with Serena, then I decided to be fair.