Chapter 2 Pain. That was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes. It crept slowly, like flames licking across my body-dull aches in my arms, a sharp burn in my leg. I winced, struggling to sit up, when a nurse rushed in and gently pressed me back down. "Don't move too much," she said kindly. "You got into an accident. You fractured your ankle and suffered some minor injuries. You need to rest." I blinked slowly. Accident? Everything came rushing back in a dizzy blur-Troy. Vanessa. The marriage certificate. My brothers' laughter. My heart shattering… running away… and then- The truck. I swallowed thickly. "How long have I been here?" "Almost a full day," the nurse replied, checking my vitals. Her expression softened. "And… I'm sorry, Miss. There's something else." My pulse quickened. "What is it?" "You were two months pregnant. I'm sorry, but… you lost the baby during the accident." I stared at her. Pregnant? "I was… pregnant?" I repeated, barely able to form the words. The nurse nodded, offering a gentle squeeze of my hand. "I didn't even know," I whispered, the words catching in my throat. "I didn't know…" My mind was blank, but my heart cracked open again-deeper this time. I had lost everything in a single day. "Do you want me to call someone?" the nurse asked softly. I hesitated. Troy. My husband. The man who just married my sister behind my back. My two brothers-Travis and Van-who once promised to protect me, only to laugh as I was discarded. But I needed someone. Anyone. "My phone," I croaked. "Please." She handed it over, and I dialed Troy first. No answer. I tried again. "The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable…" A third time. Still nothing. Tears began to fall without permission. He wasn't coming. They had all moved on now that Vanessa was back. The nurse placed a small basket on my table. "Someone dropped this off earlier," she said gently. "Some food, flowers… Said he was a close friend. A doctor who saved you." My brows furrowed. "Doctor?" She smiled. "Didn't want to say his name for now. Just said you should rest." And then she left the room. Alone, I stared at the untouched tray of food. My stomach turned, and I pushed it aside. Instead, I opened my phone and checked social media-hoping, begging 4/4 1.42 2:54 pm DD for any sign of guilt, of concern, of something that would tell me I wasn't completely forgotten. And then I saw it. Photos. Videos. Travis. Van. Troy. Vanessa. Smiling wide. Holding churros. Standing in front o the Disneyland castle. A perfect happy group. The caption read: "Finally a real family trip. Much needed!" The air was sucked from my lungs. Real family. So what was I? I cried the entire night, until my throat was raw and my tears had nothing left to give. By morning, my phone buzzed. Troy. I hesitated, staring at the name, before answering. "Taylor!" his voice was frantic. "Why didn't you say anything?! Why didn't you tell us you were in the hospital?!" Us? A moment later, the door opened and in came Troy-with Travis and Van trailing behind him, all putting on their best concerned expressions. "We came as soon as we found out," Van said, walking over and pretending to fluff my pillow. "I saw your name in a missed call last night," Troy added. "Why didn't you try harder?" I stared at them blankly. "Where were you?" "Business," Troy said too quickly. "You know how it is." I wanted to scream. No, I don't know how it is. Because yesterday was our wedding anniversary. Because you married my sister. Because you replaced me without blinking. But I didn't say anything. I just stared. "I'm here now," he said gently, brushing my hair back. "I'll never leave you." I turned away. "I need to go to the comfort room." "You can't walk. Let me help you." He lifted me into his arms. For a moment, it almost felt like the man I once loved was still there. But it shattered the moment Travis burst in. "Help!" he shouted. "Vanessa fainted!" Troy froze. His grip loosened. "What?" "Vanessa fainted!" Travis repeated. And just like that-he dropped me. I fell to the cold floor with a cry, pain shooting up my spine as my injured ankle hit the tiles. Troy didn't even glance back. He rushed out of the room, calling for Vanessa. I curled into myself, humiliated and broken, until strong arms gently lifted me again. I blinked through the tears-and saw a familiar face. Dark hair. Warm brown eyes. 2:54 pm DDD. "Scott…?" I murmured, recognizing the doctor from my past-the one who once cared about me, who disappeared without a word. He smiled gently. "Still clumsy, huh?" I blinked back more tears, too stunned to speak. He brushed a strand of hair from my face. "Taylor… do you want to run away with me?"