I hid out in Paris for over a month . 09.54 My days were a blur of wandering through flower markets , eating pastries , and obsessively scrolling through entertainment news from back home . I was terrified of seeing a headline about Teddy and his actress girlfriend , Chloe , breaking up . No matter the reason , it wouldn't be good for me . Then , the news broke . Paparazzi had spotted Chloe shopping at a high - end jewelry store with the eldest son of the Song family - Teddy's fam ly . The headlines screamed that a wedding was imminent , that Chloe's dream of marrying into a wealthy dynasty was about to come true . Though the photos were taken from a distance , you could clearly see them looking at diamond rings . A weight I didn't even know I was carrying lifted from my shoulders . I booked a flight home . I hadn't been feeling well lately - no appetite , constantly tired . The day after I landed , I went to the hospital . After a series of tests , the doctor's words hit me like a physical blow . " You're four weeks pregnant . Do you want to keep it ? " The world spun , a roaring in my ears . I don't even remember walking out of the doctor's office , the pregnancy report clutched in my hand . Every step felt like I was walking on clouds . I'distinctly remember taking the morning - after pill the day I arrived in Paris . " Cara ? " A familiar voice . I looked up and saw Max and Ava , hands linked , looking cozy . Ava approached me , her voice dripping with faux concern . " Cara , are you not feeling well ? Why are you at the hospital all by yourself ? " She leaned into Max . " I told Max I'd be fine coming alone , but he insisted on being here with me . " This was classic Ava . A soft tone , a casually cruel remark , all designed to make me lose my temper . But now that I didn't love Max anymore , her words didn't sting . They were just ... annoying . " I'm sure he has to help you pee at home too , since you're so helpless , " I said flatly . One sentence , and the battle was over . Ava's eyes filled with tears . Her gaze dropped to the paper in my hand . " You're ... pregnant ?! " Tears streamed down her pale cheeks . Max , who had been silent until now , stepped in front of her protectively . His brow furrowed , his expression cold as ice . " Deal with it . Don't make a scene . " I shot him a chilling glance . " It's not yours . " Max's face darkened , a storm brewing in his eyes . I didn't have the energy to decipher his moods anymore . I walked past them and left . By the time I reached the parking garage , Max had caught up to me , his hand clamping around my wrist . " I didn't want to upset Ava back there , " he said , his voice low . " Keep the baby . I'll forget about everything that's happened . " He was just saying whatever he wanted , his tone one of magnanimous charity . was laughable . " Mr. Cole , do you have a problem with comprehension ? " " The baby is not yours . " I wrenched my arm free , done with this conversation . 8 09:54 Chapter 2 09:54 00 " Not mine ? Don't tell me you've been seeing someone else . " Max's smile was thin , his voice laced with disbelief . He couldn't imagine me with another man . All those years of my unconditional tolerance and endless patience had been the bedrock of his confidence , his superiority . Today , I was shattering that foundation with my own hands , and I had to admit , there was a strange thrill in it . " Mr. Cole , it says I'm four weeks along . Do the math . Could it possibly be yours ? " I smirked , holding the report right up to his face The moment he saw it , the smug smile froze on his lips . He snatched the paper from my hand , his eyes scanning it over and over , his face com torting with rage . He ripped the report to shreds . " Whose is it ?! " he roared . " Cara ! How dare you cheat on me ! When did this start ?! How long have you been with him ?! " The sudden revelation of my infidelity had thrown him completely off balance . He was shouting at me in the middle of the parking garage , losing all his composure . In his world , I was the loyal dog who would never stray . The fact that my night with Teddy happened after we had called things off was irrelevant . To him , it was the ultimate betrayal . " Not long , " I said calmly . " But it was enough to make up for my seven years with you . " " Now I finally know what it feels like to be truly wanted ... " " It was ... pure bliss . Body and soul . " Because I had loved him , I knew exactly how to hurt him . I delivered the final words with a light , airy tone . The color drained from Max's face . He had never looked so lost , so defeated . He just stood there , stunned into silence . He didn't move until I had already driven away . Watching his forlorn figure shrink in my rearview mirror , I didn't feel triumph or sadness . Just a strange emptiness , a space hollowed out where something used to be . The seven years were well and truly over . The feeling was ... indescribable . 9 I had just pulled out of the parking garage and rounded a corner when a sports car screeched to a halt in front of me , blocking my path . Teddy got out and strode towards my car . He leaned down and pulled open my driver - side door , his tall frame radiating an intense , intimidating energy . His face was a mask of stone . " So it's not his , " he said , his voice a low growl . " Which means it's mine ? " " You were planning on running away with my baby ? " " Cara , you really know how to play the game . " He knew ?! I fought down a wave of panic and went on the offensive . " Are you following me ?! " How else could he have known what I said to Max ? " I followed you to Paris for a month . You're only just noticing now ? " What ? !!