Chapter 1 - The Dairy Aisle
Five months pregnant and nearly broke, I was standing in a grocery store with just $17 in my bank account when my wealthy ex-fiancé waved hundred-dollar bills in my face and humiliated me in front of strangers. His new fiancée laughed at my pregnant belly while someone nearby started recording. I was desperately trying not to cry when three men in black suits entered the store, followed by Chicago's most feared mafia boss. And when he walked straight toward me, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me in front of everyone, my ex-fiancé's face went completely white.
My name is Claire Hayes. I'm twenty-seven, five months pregnant, and trying to build a life for my unborn child after everything I believed about love fell apart.
That afternoon, I was standing in the dairy aisle, holding a carton of milk and calculating how much I could afford. I'd already put the eggs back because I still needed prenatal vitamins.
Then I heard a familiar voice.
“Well, look who it is.”
Nathan stood several feet away, wearing an expensive designer jacket and the arrogant smile I'd once mistaken for confidence. Beside him was his new fiancée, the woman he'd been seeing behind my back when we were still engaged.
His eyes dropped to my stomach.
“Wow, Claire. You've really let yourself go.”
I tightened my grip on the basket.
“Excuse me. I need to get through.”
Instead of moving, Nathan pulled several hundred-dollar bills from his wallet.
“Here. Buy yourself something decent. And maybe get some actual food for that kid.”
A woman nearby stopped pushing her shopping cart. Another shopper raised her phone and began recording.
I stared at the money, hating how desperately I needed it. But I knew Nathan would spend the rest of his life telling people he'd rescued his pathetic pregnant ex.
“No, thank you.”
His fiancée laughed.
“Independence is wonderful when you can actually afford it.”
I glanced at her diamond ring. Nathan had given me one almost identical before I discovered his affair.
Nathan stepped closer.
“Let me guess. Some guy promised you everything, got you pregnant, and disappeared?”
My hand moved protectively over my belly.
“Please move.”
He waved the money again.
“Still too proud to accept help?”
“From you? Absolutely.”
His smile vanished.
I carefully placed the milk inside my basket.
“I may not have much money, Nathan. But at least my child won't grow up believing cruelty makes someone important.”
His expression darkened as the shoppers watched.
“You're in no position to raise a baby, Claire.”
My throat tightened.
Then the automatic doors opened.
Two enormous men in dark suits entered, scanning the aisles. A third followed, and the entire front of the store seemed to grow quieter.
Behind them walked Adrian Moretti.
The mafia boss whose name powerful businessmen whispered rather than spoke aloud.
My fingers tightened around the basket handle.
Of all the people in Chicago, why did it have to be him?
Adrian's eyes found mine immediately. Then his gaze shifted toward Nathan, the money in his hand, and the phone recording us.
He approached without saying a word.
Nathan's arrogant smile slowly disappeared.
Before I could explain anything, Adrian stopped directly in front of me, gently touched my cheek, and kissed me.
The grocery aisle fell silent.
When he pulled back, I could barely breathe.
Then Adrian turned toward Nathan.
May you like
“Now, would you like to repeat what you just said to her?”
And the way Nathan suddenly stepped backward told me he knew exactly who was standing in front of him.
