He helped Mary into the car like she'd break. Then got in—didn't even look back.

I limped inside.

Only then did Mary glance at me. Something sharp flashed in her eyes.

"Stella, I'm sorry. It's my fault. But Jack said if you're gonna be a mom, you can't be so sensitive. You need to toughen up. How else are you gonna take care of the baby?"

Something inside me went cold.

My baby's gone.

And you expect me to raise yours?

Shameless.

I said nothing. Just stared out the window.

Mary wouldn't drop it. "Did I say something wrong? Why are you ignoring me?"

Jack waited at a red light, his face turning cold. "Stella, what's your problem? Apologize to Mary. With that attitude, how am I supposed to trust you with the baby?"

Mary's eyes lit up—couldn't even hide it. "Jack, don't blame her. It's my fault. Maybe I should just get out."

"Go ahead. Your perfume's giving me a headache."

That did it. Tears hit her eyes instantly.

"Stella Spencer!" Jack snapped.

I leaned back. "I'm the patient here, right? You want me raising a baby—did you ever ask me? Is my body even up for it?"

Jack's face eased. "Fine. We'll talk when you're better."

Mary suddenly grabbed her stomach. "Jack, I feel dizzy. Can you take me to the hospital?"

He glanced ahead, then jerked the wheel—didn't even ask—and drove straight to the hospital.

When we stopped, he scooped her up and rushed out. Then, like an afterthought, he looked back. "Mary's not well. I'll take her in first. You—"

"I'm fine. I'll get a cab. Go."

He looked surprised, but didn't dwell on it. Just rushed inside.

Mary shot me a smug smile.

I turned and called Aunt Leah.

After I told her everything, her voice spiked. "The Ashfords think you've got no one? Don't worry. I'll handle it."

With her backing me, I finally relaxed.

I took a cab home alone and packed up whatever I had left at Jack's place.

Everywhere I looked, Mary was already there.

Anna drove my mom to her death. Not long after, she and Mary moved into our house.

My so-called father threw me out.

I took my mom's last name—Spencer.

When I met Jack, I told him everything. He held me tight like it broke him.

He said he'd treat me right for the rest of my life.

Then he ran into Mary. I still remember how he came home that day—way too excited.

"Stella, guess what? I saw that girl again. It's fate."

He fell for Mary hard. But her mom was a homewrecker—everyone knew it. No way the Ashfords would accept her.

So he used me. For her.

I got him completely wrong.

I tossed what I didn't need and gave the rest away. In the end, I was back to the suitcase I came with.

I took a breath and checked my phone. The wedding planner had sent the final confirmation.

"Ms. Spencer, the flowers have been changed to champagne roses. Are you sure?"

I'd picked lilies from the start. Champagne roses were Mary's favorite.

Before, I would've lost it on Jack. Now? Didn't matter.

"Coordinate everything with Jack. You don't need to ask me anymore."

She seemed to get it. After a long pause: "No matter what, Ms. Spencer, I hope you'll be happy."

Even a planner who barely knew me wished me happiness.

My fiancé? Plotting against me the whole time.

I let out a bitter laugh.

Jack got back late. One look at my half-empty room and his brows pulled tight. "Why's everything gone? Where are you going?"

Then he spotted the suitcase. Panic flickered.

I kept it casual. "We're getting married soon. I'm replacing stuff anyway, so I tossed it."

Just like that, he relaxed. "In a couple days, I'll bring the baby over. You two should start bonding early."

"Okay. But I'm not doing great. Let's get a nanny."

His face hardened. "He's still little. This is when he bonds with his mom. We hire a nanny, what if he doesn't get close to you? You know my parents already have an issue with you not having kids. I barely talked them into this. You need to try harder with him."

No room to argue. He'd already decided.

For Mary, he ignored how I was doing and shoved his affair baby on me.

How ridiculous.

"Maybe in a couple days," I said. "The wedding's coming up, I—"

"That's enough. I'll handle the wedding. You stay home and take care of the baby."

I got it. I wouldn't even need to show up. The kid was the leash.

Jack Ashford, you really covered all your bases.

I nodded. "Okay. Whatever you say."

He didn't question it. Loosening his tie, he said, "I'm doing this for you. Be good. We'll have a good life."

I said nothing and walked past him into the bedroom.

A good life? Not in this lifetime.

He moved to follow—then his phone rang.

Mary's sugary voice blasted on speaker. "Jack, come quick. The baby won't stop crying, won't drink milk. I don't know what to do!" Her sobs mixed with the baby wailing.

A soft laugh slipped out.

"I'm coming," Jack said, all gentle.

He glanced at me. "Stella, Mary's struggling. I'll check on her. Stay home. The baby might come over later. Be ready."

"Got it."

Couldn't wait to deliver the kid, huh?

He rushed out.

The door shut. A message from Mary popped up.

[Stella, you'll always lose to me. One call and he runs. You've lost your uterus and his love. Now you just play nanny and raise the baby.]

I screenshotted it, printed it, and slid it into the nightstand.

Jack came back fast, baby in his arms.

Six months old. Cute, innocent. Then I saw it—Mary's face, stamped all over him. My chest twisted. I thought of my own baby.

My hand went to my stomach. Pain ripped through.

Jack held him like glass, voice soft as he soothed him.

He looked up, waved me over. All I felt was disgust. I didn't move.

"Stella, come hold him."

"I don't know how."

My flat tone set him off. "Stella, what is this? Don't make this hard."

"Hard?" I let out a dry laugh. "Even at my worst, I wouldn't play mom to a side chick's kid. And a baby from your affair? Nothing to be proud of—just like his mother. Shameless."

He froze—then slapped me.

Half my face went numb.

"What are you even saying?"

I hit him back, hard. He almost lost his footing.

He clutched the baby, shielding him.

I let out a cold laugh. "Oh, now you're careful? You know exactly how this kid happened. And you want me to raise him? The kid you had with Mary? You really think you deserve that?"

Jack swayed, panic flickering.

I didn't stop. "Our baby was two months along. You killed him."

"Jack Ashford, I will never forgive you!"

His face snapped tight. Pupils shrank. His whole body went stiff.

I kept going. "I know everything. You want me to raise your son. Have it both ways. Keep Mary happy, but since your family won't let her in, you use me as the workaround. Not happening."

His hand closed around my throat. "Don't you dare—"

The baby wailed. He dropped his grip.

He lowered his voice, like that fixed anything. "You're not leaving. Focus on getting better. You'll be my only wife. I'm just giving Mary a wedding so she gets her dream. After that, I'm done with her."

Still living in a fantasy.

I laughed. "The second you chose her, you should've known—I don't do betrayal."

"Doesn't matter what you think. This isn't up for debate."

He flicked his hand. Over a dozen bodyguards stormed in and shoved me back into my room.

House arrest.

Did he really think that would break me?

Cute.

***

After everything blew up, Jack showed up every day.

No clue where he sent the baby. Honestly? The quiet was nice.

Whatever he said, I ignored him.

Eventually, he cracked. "Stella, do we really have to do this? You and Mary are sisters—"

"Shut up." My whole body shook. "You know exactly what we are. Sisters? She doesn't deserve that word. If you love her, give her the big wedding. Marry her in public. If you can't stand up to your family, don't use me as your backup plan. You're disgusting."

His face darkened. "Say whatever you want. I've already decided. You will keep the title of my wife. After the wedding, we'll live well together."

I said nothing. The way he said it, like I should be thankful.

He had to be out of his mind.

I closed my eyes and rested.

***

The wedding was close. Jack stayed busy, but the guards never let up.

On the big day, he got up early.

I sat at the table, eating. He walked in, suit sharp, reached for my forehead. I leaned away.

I smirked. "Big day. If Mary sees that, she'll throw another fit."

"Relax. I'll be back right after. It's just a formality."

"Sure. Happens once in a lifetime, right?"

That hit. His fists tightened, veins popping.

A beat. "Wait for me."

He paused at the door, looked back.

I didn't.

After he left, the guards stayed—but looser now.

Guess everyone thought once the wedding was over, everything would magically fix itself.

I glanced outside and smiled. Calm.

Less than thirty minutes later, the mansion went up in flames. Guards freaked and rushed in to fight it.

In the chaos, another team pulled me out.

By the time I hit the airport, I texted Mary:

[You won't get your happy ending.]

Maybe I wasn't his favorite. Not while I was still around.

But once I disappeared? His "true love" wouldn't hit the same.

I'd be the one he couldn't let go.

Before leaving, I glanced back at the mansion—black smoke choking the sky—then slid into the car. No hesitation.