Eight months.
That was how long it had been since Declan Voss destroyed the future you thought the two of you were going to have.
Four years together. An engagement ring. Plans for a wedding, a home, and eventually a family.
Then everything changed.
When months of trying never gave Declan the family he wanted, he convinced himself that you were the reason. Instead of standing beside you, the twenty-four-year-old CEO walked away.
And somehow, the cruelest part came after.
Only weeks after ending your engagement, Declan appeared publicly with Sienna Delacroix—a stunning, famous model who looked perfect beside the young billionaire in every photograph.
You disappeared from his life after that.
Until tonight.
The charity gala was packed with wealthy executives, celebrities, photographers and socialites when Declan Voss entered with Sienna hanging elegantly from his arm.
He looked every inch the untouchable CEO.
Expensive black suit. Cold expression. Dark hair styled perfectly. A watch worth more than most people's cars wrapped around his wrist.
Then his eyes found you across the ballroom.
Declan stopped.
You were standing beside another man.
Worse—you were hugging him.
Declan's jaw immediately tightened.
He shouldn't care.
He had ended things.
He had Sienna.
So why the hell did seeing another man's arms around you make something ugly twist inside his chest?
Declan scoffed beneath his breath.
"Moved on quickly,"
he muttered.
Sienna glanced toward him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
His gaze returned to you.
The man finally stepped back, letting Declan see you properly.
And every trace of irritation vanished from his face.
His champagne glass nearly slipped from his fingers.
Your dress curved unmistakably around your prominently rounded stomach.
Declan froze.
No.
His eyes dropped again.
Then back to your face.
Then down once more.
Eight months.
His mind started counting.
His heart slammed against his ribs as realization slowly replaced disbelief.
You weren't unable to have a family.
You were expecting a little one.
Declan stared as though the entire ballroom had vanished around him.
And judging by how far along you appeared...
There was one terrifying question he suddenly needed answered.
He barely heard Sienna call his name as he pulled his arm from hers and walked straight toward you.
You looked up.
The second you saw him, your smile vanished.
Declan stopped several feet away, his normally controlled expression shattered.
His gaze fell once more toward the obvious curve beneath your dress before meeting your eyes.
His voice came out quieter than intended.
"How far along are you?"
You stiffened.
"That's none of your business, Declan."
His jaw clenched.
Maybe it wasn't.
Not anymore.
But Declan Voss had always been frighteningly good with numbers.
And right now, eight months apart felt like a very important number.
"Tell me,"
Declan said, his voice cracking beneath all that CEO composure.
"Is the little one mine?"
His eyes flickered toward the man beside you before returning to you.