Mated in the shadows

Prologue

I had endured so much in this place.

The lies. The judgment. The constant weight of being unseen, unheard.

And worst of all, the betrayal.

She betrayed me — the one person I loved like a sister.

He chose her… not because he remembered, but because I never mattered enough to be remembered.

A tear slipped down my cheek, but I didn’t wipe it. The cold air would take care of that.

Everything in me ached — my heart, my pride, the tiny life growing inside of me.

"You need to go."

The voice came from behind, deep and certain.

I turned slowly.

He stood there, not as the man I once saw in a blur of heat and confusion, but as someone unreachable.

He had refused to believe me.

And now… he was sending me away?

"And where would I go?" I asked, trying to sound strong, but my voice cracked anyway.

Just then, a car rolled to a stop beside us.

A woman stepped out — tall, regal, wrapped in rich colors that danced under the morning light.

She walked toward me with calm grace and a smile that warmed the frozen ache in my chest.

"I believe you," he said suddenly.

I looked up at him, stunned. For a second, I thought my ears had betrayed me.

"I'm going to deal with her," he continued. "But this place… it’s not safe for you. You’re four months along. Our child needs to grow in peace. You need peace."

My breath caught in my throat.

"This is my mother. She’ll take you to the other side of the city. A safe house. I’ll visit… as often as I can."

Joy and sorrow crashed into each other in my chest. He was choosing me — or maybe just doing the right thing.

But even that was enough.

"Come, dear," the woman said softly. Her voice had warmth. “We must leave now.”

I moved toward the car, then paused at the door.

I turned one last time, tears running freely now.

“Thank you,” I mouthed.

He gave me a faint smile. The first I had ever seen from him.

But it vanished as quickly as it came.

I slid into the car. His mother settled in the front seat, adjusting her scarf.

“We are going to have loads of fun,” she said with a bright smile that warmed my heart

I was going to love her I just knew it.