chapter 2

"That messed me up worse than leg day. I had to be carried to the bathroom by Adrian."

I raised my hand and dumped my entire drink on her face. "You just love talking shit, huh? Can't wait for everyone to know about your mess with Adrian!"

Rage shook me all over. I wanted to rush forward and yank Emma's collar.

Adrian immediately stepped in front of her and slapped me across the face.

The sharp slap echoed through the room, my eardrum buzzing.

He grabbed my arm and hurled me toward the door.

I pushed myself up from the floor and stared at him through the crack of the door.

After ten years together, it was the first time he'd ever laid a hand on me.

"You hit me for her?" My voice was hoarse and alien to my own ears.

"Mia, you asked for it!" Adrian sneered through the door crack. "Always paranoid, crazy woman."

Then he slammed the door so hard that the lock clicked like a hammer to my chest.

Someone muttered, "It's 14 degrees out, and Mia is just in her pajamas, what if she freezes..."

Adrian's mocking voice cut through the door. "Look at that pancake flat chest—doesn't do a thing for her figure, no curves, no feeling, and she actually thinks she's hot stuff.

"If it weren't for her rich dad, you think I'd marry this mess?"

Emma's loud laugh came from inside. "Girls like that are fragile. Make them run five kilometers and they'll die.

"Tonight we're pounding shots till no one's walking straight."

The smell of booze drifted through the door crack.

Adrian's voice was thick with liquor. "Emma's way easier to deal with. If you don't finish these drinks tonight, I swear I'll tear you apart!"

"Well, well, the mini-member is tagging along, too!" Emma said.

Outside the door, I looked down at my slippers in the snow.

Cold water seeped into the fabric, stabbing my feet like needles.

I didn't hesitate. I flagged down a taxi and headed straight to the hospital.

The doctor glanced at the test results, his voice hesitant. "Miss Clark, are you sure you want an abortion? It's twins... ten weeks along already."

"Yeah, I'm sure," I answered.

The doctor sighed and handed over the consent form. "The dad's okay with this, too?"

"The kids don't have a dad," I said.

The doctor gave up trying to convince me and started filling out the appointment form.

I stared at the two tiny shapes on the ultrasound, my chest twisting painfully.

Originally, I planned to tell Adrian about this surprise after he proposed.

But... never expected this.

Lost in thought, my phone buzzed with a message.

It was a video from Emma.

The room was covered in white roses, balloons twisted into a galaxy of colors.

Adrian knelt on one knee in the center, kissing the ring that belonged to me, right on Emma's hand.

"Emma, will you marry me?" Adrian sounded amused, but the genuine affection in his eyes was real.

Emma feigned disgust. "Ugh, that's so cheesy. Can't stand this crap."

"Then don't nod, then," Adrian said.

Then Emma sent a voice note, "Sorry, Mia. Adrian went crazy today and messed with the proposal. I already restored the scene for you—next time, it's all yours."