Chapter 1

The crystal chandeliers of our San Francisco mansion glittered.

It was our tenth-anniversary party.

Richard stood by the grand staircase, a woman I didn't recognize clinging to his arm.

Jessica Wang, his company's new PR manager.

She was visibly pregnant.

He tapped his champagne flute. The chatter died.

"Friends," Richard began, his voice smooth, "Emily and I have an announcement."

My stomach tightened.

"We're expecting."

A wave of murmurs. Jessica beamed, placing a hand on her belly.

Richard's gaze found mine, cold and dismissive.

Later, when most guests had drifted to the ballroom, he cornered me in the library.

"Jessica's moving in tomorrow."

I said nothing.

"She's sensitive during her pregnancy. You'll handle her meals. Nothing too spicy, nothing too bland. And varied, of course."

He adjusted his cufflinks, a nervous habit he had when he was about to be particularly cruel.

"And her room. She needs the master suite. It's quieter. You can take the guest room in the north wing."

I looked at the ornate fireplace, the cold marble reflecting the low light.

Ten years.

"I've already packed," I said, my voice even.

He raised an eyebrow. "Packed for what?"

"To leave."

A short, humorless laugh escaped him. "Leave? Emily, don't be dramatic. Where would you go?"

My pre-packed suitcase was in the upstairs hall closet. I'd put it there that morning.

I walked past him, out of the library, and up the stairs.

He followed, his footsteps heavy on the polished wood.

"You're not serious."

I pulled the sleek, black suitcase from the closet. It was surprisingly light.

"This is ridiculous," he scoffed. "A little tantrum because I'm finally having a child?"

I started towards the main staircase.

Downstairs, a few of his tech-bro friends and their wives were still lingering, drinks in hand. They saw me with the suitcase.

Richard's face hardened. "Stop this, Emily. You're embarrassing me."

I reached the bottom step.

"She'll be back before the caterers clear out," Richard announced to his audience, a smirk playing on his lips.

Laughter rippled through the small group.

"A thousand bucks says she doesn't make it to sunrise," one of them, Mark, a venture capitalist Richard admired, called out.

"I'll take that bet," another chimed in. "She'll be begging at the gate by midnight."

Richard leaned against the newel post, arms crossed. "Make it ten thousand. She won't last three days. She has nothing without me."

Their amusement was a familiar sting.

I walked towards the massive oak front door.

The butler, Thomas, who had been with my family before Richard, looked at me with pained eyes. He made a move to help.

"Don't bother, Thomas," Richard said sharply. "Let her have her little fit."

I pulled the door open.

The cool night air of San Francisco hit my face.

A black SUV was parked discreetly just beyond the gates, its headlights off.

Liam.

He was always there.

I stepped out into the darkness, the sound of their laughter fading behind me.

This time, I wasn't coming back.