After three years of dating, Breanna Hiltonborn with a congenital uterus defectfinally got pregnant after ninety-nine rounds of IVF.
But on the very day she learned she was pregnant, she sawright there in the obstetrics departmenther boyfriend Todd Lannister standing beside her best friend Darlean while accompanying her for an ultrasound.
Her heart lurched so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest.
Babe, look! Doesnt our child look just like you?
Darleans voice was all soft and sweet.
Todd bent down and gently kissed her full, rounded belly. Shes only five months along, he said softly. How can you tell anything already?
Breannas mind went completely blank. It was like a loud buzzing swallowed everything.
Everyone knew that Todd cherished her like his own life.
She was the one who stuck with him through his three hardest years. His first love. He had sworn to the heavens that he would marry no one but her.
But the Lannisters said she could only marry into the family after giving birth to a child.
For her, Todd had clashed with his family again and again. He had endured family punishments, begging for forgiveness three days and nights in the pouring rain
He once told her, Even if you cant have kids, Ill still marry you.
Because of that promise, Breanna willingly went through ninety-nine IVF attempts, her abdomen covered in dark bruised scarsjust to give him a child that belonged to the two of them.
Todd was the one who saved her from her bullies.
Darlean Hewey was the best friend she rescued from a gambling-addict father.
And now the two of them were together, betraying her.
A tight, crushing pain hit her chest. While tears welled up, threatening to spill, she dialed a number with shaking fingers.
Hello Im ready to accept your offer. Ill be your partner on the case. I agree to cancel my identity and head overseas.
Six months ago, after completing her mission, the organization awarded her their highest honor and promised she could return anytime she wanted.
Fifteen days later, the name Breanna no longer existed in this world.
And before that happened, Todd didnt deserve to know a thing.
1
Breanna stood in the shadows, a sharp, twisting pain churning in her stomach.
She rushed into the nearest restroom stall, throat burning with bitterness, but nothing would come out.
Just then, her phone lit up. It was a message from Todd.
[Babe, I just bought an emerald bracelet for you at the auction. Youll love it.]
A swarm of dark spots exploded across her vision, and she finally couldnt hold it back; she doubled over and vomited.
Staring at the sweet couple photo of them on her screen, her fingers dug deep into her palms.
She was just about to push open the door when she suddenly heard his low voice outside.
Hey, how are you feeling?
Darleans soft, fragile voice followed.
Todd, the baby keeps kicking me lately I havent slept well in days.
Todd let out a low chuckle.
I know its been hard for you. So, what do you want as compensation?
Darleans voice turned overly sweet.
I want that emerald bracelet you just bought or do you think Breanna is more important than me?
A sharp pulse throbbed in Breannas temples, her chest tightening.
A few seconds later, Todd finally spoke.
Of course not. If you like it, its yours.
Darlean laughed in satisfaction. Their footsteps faded as they finally walked away.
Inside the stall, Breanna tasted iron on her tongue; it felt like shed swallowed her own blood.
Apparently, in Todds heart, she ranked beneath Darlean now.
Breanna slowly slid down to the floor, her mind drifting back to everything theyd been through.
At sixteen, she had stepped in to pull him out of the nightmare of school bullying. The day he grabbed a knife and tried to hurt himself, shed yanked it from his hand and cut her own arm instead, smiling as she said, Todd, can you really stand to see me like this?
At eighteen, on his birthday, shed baked him a cake herself, found him drenched in the rain by the roadside, just to tell him, Happy birthday.
His eyes had gone red as he tugged on her sleeve and whispered, Youll never leave me, right?
A year ago, on the day his family publicly announced him as the next heir, she received a call from the policeher father, a narcotics officer, had been shot dead by traffickers.
She swore to carry on his legacy. After failing to reach Todd multiple times, she eventually found out why.
On his way to see her, hed gotten into a severe car accident. His kidney ruptured, and he was dying.
Without hesitation, she donated her own kidney to save him, left him a letter, and quietly left the country.
She believed their love could withstand time.
But when she finished her mission and returned to the Lannisters place, she saw Todd and Darlean kissing.
He noticed Breanna. He pulled her into his arms, refusing to let go.
Babe, youre finally back I was just drunk he reasoned. She smiles too much like you I messed up
He waited outside her building for seven days and seven nights. When he finally collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, Breanna saw the countless fresh self-inflicted wounds on his wrists and learned that after she left, his depression had relapsed. Hed been hospitalized repeatedly and nearly died.