The Billionaire's Son: Pregnant with My Ex's Baby

[Ava] I stared at the divorce papers in my trembling hands, my vision blurring as tears threatened to spill over. The weight of what I was about to do crashed down on me, making it hard to breathe. Five years had passed since that day, but the memory was as fresh as a newly opened wound. The Blackwood penthouse, once a symbol of our whirlwind romance and shared dreams, now felt like a gilded cage. I glanced around the opulent living room, taking in the sleek leather furniture and the floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the glittering New York skyline. How many nights had Ethan and I spent curled up on that couch, sharing our hopes and fears? How many mornings had we watched the sun rise over the city, our bodies intertwined, hearts beating as one? But that was before. Before the cracks in our facade began to show. Before I discovered the truth that shattered my world and broke my heart into a million pieces. I closed my eyes, willing myself to focus on the task at hand. The papers in front of me represented more than just the end of a marriage; they were my ticket to freedom, a chance to reclaim the life I'd put on hold for a man who'd proven himself unworthy of my trust and love. As I reached for the pen on the coffee table, my hand brushed against a framed photo of Ethan and me on our wedding day. I paused, unable to resist picking it up. There we were, frozen in time – Ethan looking devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief and adoration. And me, radiant in my white gown, gazing up at him as if he'd hung the moon and stars. God, we'd been so young, so naive. I'd truly believed that our love could conquer anything, that the passion we shared would be enough to sustain us through whatever life threw our way. How wrong I'd been. A sob caught in my throat as I traced Ethan's face with my finger. Even now, after everything, my traitorous heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. His chiseled jawline, those full lips that could coax the most exquisite pleasure from my body, the strong arms that had held me through countless nights... No. I couldn't let myself get lost in memories. Not when I knew the truth about the man behind that charming smile. Setting the photo face-down on the table, I picked up the pen and signed my name on the dotted line. Each stroke felt like a knife to my heart, but I forced myself to continue. When I finished, I let out a shaky breath, feeling both liberated and utterly lost. The sound of a key in the lock made me jump. Ethan. He wasn't supposed to be home for hours. Panic surged through me as I scrambled to gather the papers, shoving them into my purse just as the door swung open. "Ava?" Ethan's deep voice called out, sending an unwelcome shiver down my spine. "Are you home, sweetheart?" I stood frozen in place, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. How was I supposed to face him now, knowing what I'd just done? Ethan appeared in the doorway, his brow furrowing as he took in my disheveled appearance. "What's wrong?" he asked, crossing the room in long strides. "You look like you've seen a ghost." I took an involuntary step back as he reached for me, my body betraying me with its instinctive response to his presence. Even now, after everything, I craved his touch like a drug. "I... I wasn't expecting you home so early," I managed to stammer, hating how weak and uncertain I sounded. Ethan's dark eyes searched my face, concern etched in the lines of his forehead. "I wrapped up my meetings early. Thought I'd surprise you with lunch." He held up a bag I hadn't noticed before, the delicious aroma of our favorite Italian restaurant wafting through the air. The gesture, so thoughtful and reminiscent of happier times, nearly broke my resolve. For a moment, I was tempted to throw myself into his arms, to forget the betrayal and the hurt, to lose myself in the comfort of his embrace. But then I remembered the lipstick-stained collar I'd found in the laundry last week. The hushed phone conversations that ended abruptly when I entered the room. The way he'd grown distant and distracted over the past few months, as if his mind – and his heart – were somewhere else entirely. I straightened my spine, summoning every ounce of strength I possessed. "That's... that's very kind of you, Ethan. But I'm afraid I can't stay for lunch." His brow furrowed deeper. "What do you mean? Where are you going?" I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to say. "I'm leaving, Ethan. For good." The words hung in the air between us, heavy and final. I watched as confusion, then disbelief, and finally understanding dawned on his face. "Leaving?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ava, what are you talking about? We can work through whatever this is. Just talk to me, sweetheart." The endearment, once so cherished, now felt like a slap in the face. "Don't," I said, my voice sharp. "Don't call me that. Not anymore." Ethan's face paled, and he reached for me again. This time, I didn't step away. I needed him to see the resolve in my eyes, to understand that this wasn't a rash decision or a fleeting moment of anger. "Ava, please," he pleaded, his hands gripping my shoulders. The heat of his touch seared through the thin fabric of my blouse, igniting a familiar fire in my belly. "Whatever I've done, whatever you think I've done, we can fix this. I love you." For a moment, I wavered. The sincerity in his eyes, the desperation in his voice – it was almost enough to make me doubt everything I knew to be true. But then I remembered the nights I'd spent crying myself to sleep, wondering where he was, who he was with. The constant knot of anxiety in my stomach, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I couldn't live like that anymore. I deserved better. Gently, I removed his hands from my shoulders. "I'm sorry, Ethan. But it's too late for that." I stepped around him, grabbing my suitcase from where I'd hidden it behind the couch. Ethan's eyes widened as he saw it, realization finally sinking in. "You can't be serious," he said, his voice breaking. "Ava, we took vows. For better or worse, remember? You can't just throw that away without even trying to work things out." I paused at the door, my hand on the knob. Part of me wanted to turn around, to see his face one last time. But I knew if I did, my resolve might crumble. "I did try, Ethan," I said softly, fighting to keep my voice steady. "For months, I tried. But I can't be the only one fighting for this marriage. And I won't be made a fool of any longer." With that, I opened the door and stepped into the hallway. As it closed behind me, I heard Ethan call out my name, his voice raw with emotion. I quickened my pace, practically running to the elevator, desperate to put as much distance between us as possible. It wasn't until I was in the cab, speeding away from the life I'd known, that I allowed myself to break down. Sobs wracked my body as I clutched my purse to my chest, the divorce papers inside feeling like both a burden and a lifeline. I'd done it. I'd walked away from the man I loved more than anything in this world. The man who'd betrayed me in the worst possible way. As the city blurred past my window, I made a silent vow to myself. No matter what happened, no matter how much it hurt, I would never let Ethan Blackwood back into my heart again. Little did I know, fate had other plans in store for us.