Chapter 1 We Need To Part Ways

Kiera Sutton was overwhelmed with happiness and shock as she stared at the result of her pregnancy test.

She was pregnant!

Colton Sutton's child was growing inside her!

After three years of marriage and countless attempts, Kiera had finally succeeded in conceiving Colton's child.

With the test report in hand and a heart full of joy, Kiera couldn't wait to tell Colton the news. Yet, as she rounded the corner, her eyes fell on a familiar figure.

Maeve Gill?

Indeed, it was Maeve, Colton's first love, and she had come back!

Driven by a mix of curiosity and concern, Kiera followed Maeve and was shocked to discover Colton, who should have been at his office, tenderly assisting Maeve, who was visibly pregnant, well into her second trimester.

"Colton, I'm okay. There's no need to worry; the baby is healthy," Maeve said, her voice tender, her smile bright.

"Still, let's get a doctor to check. This child will carry the Sutton name, and we must ensure everything is perfect," Colton replied.

The warmth in Maeve's smile and Colton's care cut deeply into Kiera's heart.

"What's happening here?"

Gripping the pregnancy test report harder, Kiera felt her nails digging painfully into her hand, a minor discomfort compared to the crushing pain in her heart.

Her path to pregnancy had been a dangerous one, shadowed by health complications that had led her to seek every possible treatment and consult specialists across numerous hospitals. She had risked her life multiple times to fulfill her dream of having Colton's baby. And now, on the very day she confirmed her pregnancy, she found out Maeve was also expecting Colton's child.

"Why are you here?" Colton's expression darkened immediately, the warmth he had shown Maeve just seconds earlier now replaced by a chilling frostiness, as if the temperature around them had plummeted.

Kiera, witnessing his sudden shift, felt a surge of anger and moved to challenge him.

"How can you even ask that, Colton? I am your wife, yet here you are at a prenatal appointment with her. What gives you the right to ask me that?"

Her sharp words captured the attention of everyone present.

At this, Maeve broke down, tears streaming down her face as she looked utterly distressed.

"Colton, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have come back and told you about the baby. If I had just stayed away or had the heart to end this pregnancy, this misunderstanding wouldn't have happened. I'm so sorry."

With those words, Maeve fled from the scene.

"Alaric, keep an eye on Maeve and watch her condition closely. If anything happens to that child, it's on you," Colton called out urgently, sending his assistant, Alaric Fuller, after Maeve.

Kiera realized Colton had never once shown her such concern.

"Colton, you bastard!"

Kiera swiftly lifted her hand, aiming to deliver a sharp slap to Colton, but he caught her wrist mid-air, squeezing painfully.

"Consider this, Kiera. You orchestrated our first sexual encounter three years ago, forcing me into this marriage. You should have realized then that I couldn't offer you the love you seek. I'm warning you, the child Maeve carries is vital to the Sutton family. Should you harm her in any way, I will make you pay."

Colton then pushed Kiera away forcefully.

Reeling from the shove, Kiera nearly toppled over but managed to stabilize herself using the wall. During this struggle, the pregnancy test report fell from her hand, landing before Colton.

"Are you pregnant?"

Colton's expression registered shock.

Kiera's laughter was tinged with tears as they rolled down her cheeks.

"Do you even care? I tried to clear up your misunderstanding three years ago, yet you chose not to believe me. Despite all my efforts and the love I've shown you over these years, you've continually overlooked it. Now, your first love is about to have your child. Yes, Colton, I love you deeply, but my self-respect is at stake now! I can't continue this way. I will end this pregnancy. We need to part ways."

As Kiera spoke, her heart seemed to shatter within her, but with firm determination, she turned on her heel and departed.

Colton's gaze sharpened abruptly.

With swift strides, he picked up Kiera and made his way towards the hospital exit.

"Who do you think you are, Kiera? You pushed me into this marriage, and now you're backing out of having our child? Did you think I'd just let you manipulate me like this? I'll decide what happens to the baby, not you!"

"Let me go, Colton! This child is mine, and you have no say in this!"

Kiera fought to free herself, but Colton's hold was unyielding.

"This child is yours? Without me, you wouldn't even be pregnant. Don't test my patience right now, Kiera!"

Colton's eyes, distinctively almond-shaped and upturned at the corners, narrowed intensely, his presence dominating the space around them, making the air feel oppressively heavy.

At that moment, his phone erupted with a ring.

To take the call, Colton placed Kiera on her feet but didn't loosen his grip, his need to control her painfully obvious.

Kiera felt a pang of sadness.

She often fooled herself into believing Colton cared for her, even if just slightly, as he seemed to now.

"What did you say? Maeve is attempting to take her life? Keep her safe; I'll be right there!"

Colton's expression tensed up immediately, and any fleeting sense of warmth Kiera had felt quickly evaporated.