u

ad remembered. After all, it was my birthday. Even if things between us had been strained lately, surely he wo

ared at it for a few minutes, waiting for the familiar buzz of a notification, the sim

d to remember. It had become almost normal now and I hated it. I let out a l

his voice, hoping for some small reassu

p down I expected it because he was

would only make the ache worse. So, I got dressed, slipped into my work clothes, and tol

y, checking it more often than I cared to admit. Maybe he was busy and w

second, my heart lifted, thinking it was Lucas. But when I sa

dy knowing the conversation wouldn'

d of warmth. "I just wanted to let you know that Mr. Greys stay has been

g, that he would remember?. I hadn't even realized he was gone again. "Thank you f

, staring at the screen. My birthday. He hadn'

e that weighed me down. Everything felt heavier than usual, like the world was pres

" she said, frowning at me as

ke the rest of

trying to force a

ossing her arms. "Go home. Take a brea

w she was right. "Okay," I whispered, f

e like a slap in the face. Lucas was gone, and that little red box-the one holding my pregna

share the news that we were expecting. But now, it just seemed like one more thing

ting for a man who didn't care enough to remember my birthday. I

of everything-the loneliness, the neglect, the betrayal-was suffoc

r. I ordered a drink, telling myself I wouldn't actually drink it. But as the g

in thought, when I heard a v

ing with curiosity. He was attractive, in a rugged, confident kind of wa

sked, a playful smile

head. "No

ight help. Sometimes talking to a stranger

his man, but there was an ease to his demeanor that made me feel like he wasn't judging me

ay. I could actually speak to him and he would listen to me even if the funniest stories seemed interesting to me. My career was nev

ood more than he let on. "That's tough.

surprised by his insi

asy, too easy, to forget my troubles as we chatted. He listened when I ranted about the little th

g time. When I finally admitted I needed to go home, Damian offered to drive me. Normally, I would

He handed me his card, and I pocketed it without a second thought. I wasn't sure why, but goo quickly I ga

tepped inside, tha

sitting o

made my blood run cold. How the hell

ce cracking with disbelief.

t quite reach her eyes. "Oh, Lucas asked me

ore I could find my voice, she continued, walking tow

with a casual air, "I love the color of your bedroo

d. "Excuse me?"

st think a baby would look so cute in that

y, why was she talking about babies? She sounded sure and I couldn't help but think if Lucas was yelling her about our marriage? Luc

place. It was as if she knew everything. As if she had alrea

voice dropping to a whisper, "are you sure the baby i

e, and I gripped the edge of the counter for support, the room spinning

er way to the door. "Take care of yoursel

ped my world apart with a smile on her face. When the door clicked

the hell had I been so blind? Was he a party to this as well?

one person I knew would help. "Khloe," I whispe