remote architectural project, a small community center in a town she' d never

video call from her cousin,

re you sure about this? Dropping everything to g

member what you promised? After the wedding? You sa

ay still sharp. "I remember. I

o be," sh

ontract was attached, along with a note from the project lead. "Welcome aboard, Ms. Smith. We c

ermination tighten in her stomach.

he remembered her first love, a boy from her architecture program. He' d broken her heart, cheated on

d found her when she was at her lowest, promising her a world of stability and devotion. He'

s at their engagement party, his voice thick with emotion. "You're my anchor." Ev

him. She had trus

his touch infrequent. He' d work late, travel for "business" constantly. When s

would shut down. Ava once found an old photo of them together. When she asked, Ryan' s reaction was explosive. He'

future. She sacrificed her own ambitions, turning down a prestigious job in

n a car accident. It was a tragic, shocking event. Ava had felt a pang

night. Ava found herself waiting, a flicker of hope in her chest. Maybe this

ut he wasn' t alone. Chloe was with him. He was helping her out of the car, his arm wrapped around her waist, his head bent low as

back from the window, her hear

airs as they came inside. She didn' t m

greet you," Chloe' s voice, soft and wound

ut. "Don' t worry about Ava. She' s just a placeholder, a shield. I married her t

ow. A placeholder. A shield. Their e

ied sigh. "I knew it. I alwa

om his suitcase. He opened it. Inside, nestled on the lining, was a simple silver locket. A

unthinkable. "I'd like to announce a change in our organizational structure," he said into the microphone. "Ava Smith will be ste

on his face. "Please join

f triumph in them. The room buzzed with whispers. The humiliation was a hot, suffocating blanket. Ryan

ace when he looked at Chloe?" "I always thought something was off

rneath the pain, a cold, hard clarity began to form. This wasn' t just

r a supposed medical issue Ryan had been so insistent about. He' d said it was t

an appointment with a new g

records Ava had requested from her previous doctor. She frowned. "

asked, her hands c

rocedure to prevent pregnancy. But the consent form... i

on her. He had secretly ensured she could never have his children. The lie wasn

life, shattered into a million irreparable pieces. Ther

s is highly illegal. There are options.

voice eerily calm.

a world connected to that man? She would

se and steady. The pain was gone,

ven feeling the cold drops on her skin. She was leavi

them. Ryan and Chloe, sitting close together, laughing. Ryan reached acr

er eyes fixed on the road ahead, on the new life s

rney ha