Chapter 1
I lay in the hospital bed, Julian Cross' words repeating in my head.
"Don't bother me unless you're dying."
A dull pain spread through my chest. Tears slid down my temples, mixing with sweat.
"We understand young people like excitement and novelty, but you still have to take care of yourself. Five more minutes, and you might not have made it."
The nurse's voice carried both concern and reproach. The ache sharpened. Seven years with Julian, and a complete stranger cared more about me than he ever did.
My phone rang. A nurse answered it for me.
"Mia, what's wrong with you? Why did it take you so long to pick up?"
Julian's voice hammered against my eardrum. Before I could get a word out, he rushed on, his tone urgent.
"So how did it feel when the pills kicked in? And those toys I tried on you, anything uncomfortable? Anything I should adjust?"
The air in the room turned heavy. I forced the words out through my embarrassment.
"Julian, I'm at the hospital. Can we talk about this later, when I get home?"
A long silence followed. When he finally spoke, the irritation in his voice was unmistakable.
"You actually went to the hospital for that. Well, fine. While you're there, maybe get your head checked too."
He paused.
"Actually, just stay a couple more days and get that IUD procedure done while you're at it."
"Julian, oh god, I'm so close." Chloe Vance's breathy moan cut through the line. The call ended with a sharp click.
The words I wanted to say lodged in my throat. A text came through from Julian.
Julian: Don't tell Chloe you were in the hospital. She'll blame herself.
Not a single word of concern. Just a cold command. The pain in my chest grew sharper.
Before we got together, Julian had sworn he only wanted what was best for my health. That was his reason for keeping our relationship platonic. I fell for every word. I believed him.
I walked away from a direct PhD track at my university, ignored my family's protests, and joined his company to help him build his career.
Seven real years. That was what they got me.
I stared blankly at the ceiling. The nurse changing my IV hesitated and then asked quietly, "Ms. Hart, is everything all right between you and your boyfriend?"
Old memories rushed back. I didn't know how to answer.
For years, everyone saw Julian and me as the perfect couple.
When I mentioned a craving late at night, he drove ten miles to find me cake. When I fell ill, he caught an international flight to reach me overnight. For seven years, he made me breakfast every single morning. When my work hit a wall, he used his connections to clear the path.
He told me love was about building each other up. It was never meant to be anything sordid.
That was before Chloe.
Julian hired her despite her having only a high school diploma and then used a corporate restructure as an excuse to let her take my position.
The first time I sensed something wrong, I saw Julian, who had an almost pathological need for cleanliness, eating street food with Chloe outside our office building. When I confronted him, he wiped the grease from his mouth without a care.
"She's new and doesn't know the city well. I'm her boss. It was just a meal. Don't read into it."
The second time, he moved Chloe into our house without even asking me.
"Rent here is insane. Her monthly salary wouldn't cover an apartment. Let her crash here for a few days."
I was moved into the guest room before I could argue.
A few days turned into half a year.
And the third time was that night. I had been so full of hope, so sure Julian was finally ready to commit to me completely. I never imagined the surprise I thought was meant for me was just another way for him to please Chloe.
The nurse spoke again, "Ms. Hart, are you absolutely sure about getting the IUD?"
My stomach churned. I swallowed hard and forced the words out through a tight throat.
"No. I'm not doing it."
I wasn't going through with the procedure, and I was done with Julian, too.
I had told myself he was just young and not ready to build a family. But every time I gave in, he pushed further. He took more.
I was done forgiving him. I was done with him, and I was done with this relationship.
