Five months ago, you walked away from Giuliano Ricossa's life with a shattered heart.

He had ended things cruelly, certain that you could never give him the family he wanted. Without a second thought, he had thrown you out of his life and quickly moved on with another woman.

What Giuliano never knew was that, shortly before leaving town, you had learned the truth.

You were carrying his child.

You had chosen not to tell him. After the way he'd treated you, disappearing from Baltimore had seemed like the only choice. So you started over somewhere far away, determined to build a life without the man who had broken your heart.

Until now.

You had come back to Baltimore for a short visit, never expecting to see Giuliano again.

Yet there he was.

You were sitting alone in a restaurant when a familiar, cold laugh cut through the room.

Giuliano stood nearby, dressed impeccably, as he had been five months ago, his new girlfriend beside him. His gaze traveled over you before a cruel smirk appeared on his face.

He gave a dry chuckle.

His girlfriend snorted with amusement.

Giuliano added casually, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing.

You lowered your gaze, trying hard to keep your emotions under control.

Then Giuliano stepped closer.

His expression stayed smug as he reached out and lightly tapped your stomach, apparently meaning to make his point.

But the instant his hand made contact, he froze.

Something moved beneath his palm.

The color slowly drained from his face.

His eyes widened as he stared at you.

His voice faltered.

His hand did not leave your stomach.