" You were eight , " he corrected me , deadpan . " I was ten . " I pulled my hand from his grasp . " How did you know Max and I would break up ? And how were you so sure that I would get with you after ? " A slow , knowing smile spread across his lips . " I was confident . " " After all , I put in a lot of hard work to make sure I could give you ... pure bliss . Body and soul . " He stressed those last few words , standing up and shamelessly flexing his abs and chest like a peacock displaying its feathers . My eyes burned , and my thoughts turned to mush . My mind involuntarily replayed scenes from that wild night . " Teddy , you should go , " I said , opening the door . " I need some time alone . " The information overload was too much . I couldn't process it all at once . Teddy's flexing hand froze mid - air . His handsome , deep - set eyes turned heavy , his pouty expression unexpectedly heart - stopping . 09:54 Chapter 2 09:54 " If you're not asking me to stay the night , it must mean I haven't been working out hard enough ," he said , looking genuinely wounded . " I'll go home and lift some more weights . " He stepped outside , then turned back . The playful look was gone , his gaze serious as it fell on my stomach . He opened his mouth to say som ething , but I cut him off . " Give me three days to think . " " And don't contact me during those three days . " Teddy was a man of his word . He didn't contact me . But he was everywhere . He'd post shirtless pictures on Instagram , flexing his abs . He'd appear in the grocery store downstairs , dressed in a sharp suit , pushing a shop- ping cart and strolling slowly past me . I finally understood . All those times in college when I'd walk past the basketball court and he'd sink a perfect three - pointer right as I passed - it was all for me . I never knew that being loved could feel so vibrant , so alive . I even started to think ... Teddy would be a really fun dad . 13 On the third day , I went back to the hospital . The moment I heard the baby's heartbeat , I found my answer . I came back to my apartment , my arms laden with bags of prenatal vitamins and healthy food , and saw Ava from a distance . Her hair was a mess , and she was still wearing slippers . She looked lost and desperate as she stumbled in front of my car to block my path . " Where's Max ?! " she demanded , her voice raw . " Where are you hiding him ?! " I rolled down my window . " Why would I hide someone else's trash ? " Ava froze , then pointed a shaking finger at me , screaming without any regard for her image . " He's been gone ever since we saw you at the hos- pital ! He turned off his phone ! He would never , ever ignore me like this ! You're pathetic , using a baby to trap him , and now you're trying to act all innocent ? You think he actually loves you ? You're nothing but an incubator to him ! " Her hysterical shrieking was a far cry from her usual sweet and innocent persona . I found it almost funny . Was this karma ? For the past seven years , whenever Ava was in the country , Max would disappear for a while . Every time I went to find him , she would mock me with a smile . " Looking for your boyfriend at your rival's hotel ? You're really something else , Cara ." The triumph she must have felt then was probably equal to the humiliation she was feeling now . She had a whole arsenal of tricks to get Max to come running - slitting her wrists , threatening to jump off a building , and now , the depression diagnosis . She must have exhausted all her options for him to still be missing . That's why she was falling apart . I just sat in my car , calmly watching her meltdown . When she finally paused to catch her breath , I spoke . " Max isn't here . And the baby isn't his , " I said coolly . " Unlike you , Ms. Shen , I have no interest in other people's relationships . And I certainly don ' t go digging through the trash . " Ava's face went white . She stood there , stunned , muttering to herself . " Impossible ... Impossible ... " " He loves me ! You must have lied to him , told him you were pregnant with his child ! That's why he left me ! " I ignored her and started the car . Her little drama didn't faze me in the slightest . Back in my apartment , I eagerly started looking up prenatal education videos . My dull , lifeless world was suddenly vibrant with anticipation . 09:54 Chapter 2 09:54 ( That night , I had a strange but wonderful dream . I was holding our baby , marrying Teddy . After the wedding , we were a happy , loving couple , and our child was sweet and well - behaved . The dream was shattered by a rhythmic knocking at the door . Still half - asleep , I opened it . It was Teddy , leaning against the doorframe , striking a pose . He was shirtless , a towel slung low on his hips , perfectly showcasing has impress ive abs . In my dream , he had also been very keen on showing off his abs , even performing tricks like cracking walnuts and opening beer bottles with them . In my drowsy state , I murmured , " Honey , you're home . " " What did you just call me ?! " Teddy's suddenly loud voice jolted me fully awake . My eyes met his , which were blazing with an intense heat . My face instantly flushed , my heart threatening to beat its way out of my chest . Later that night , after I'd come up with a dozen lame excuses for my Freudian slip , he was still holding me like a koala , refusing to let go . I finally gave in . If he would perform the beer bottle trick with his abs , I would admit that I had , in fact , called him husband . After that , it became very difficult to find a capped beer bottle in my apartment . It's funny how people connect . I was with Max for seven years , yet there was always this unspoken distance between us . But after just seven days with Teddy , we had a comfortable , easy rapport , as if we'd been together for years . I could be myself around him , wear whatever I wanted , and never had to worry that a joke might cross the line . At almost thirty , I was finally experiencing what it felt like to be in love . 14 The morning Max showed up at my apartment , Teddy and I were about to leave for the courthouse to get our marriage license . It had only been a little over a week , but Max looked like a different person . He'd lost weight , his suit hung loosely on his frame , and there were dark circles under his sunken eyes . His normally immaculate hair was messy , falling across his forehead . His eyes were red - rimmed as he spoke , his voice hoarse . " Cara ... I was wrong . " " I think I love you more than I ever realized . I haven't slept these past few nights . Every time I close my eyes , all I see is you . " " So , please , Cara ... let's just forget about Ava , forget about that other guy . Let's just forget everything . " " Come back to me . Let's start over . " The raw emotion in his eyes was almost overflowing . He reached out to touch my face , but I stepped back , avoiding his hand . I was confused . Had I not been clear? Or did he have amnesia ? He knew I was pregnant with another man's child , and he was here asking me to come back ? " I believe I told you very clearly , Mr. Cole . The baby I'm carrying is not yours . " Max's breathing grew heavy , his hands clenching into fists at his sides . " Even if it's not mine , " he said , his voice tight with restraint , " I'll claim it . " I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing . The proud , arrogant Max Cole was offering to raise another man's child . " I'm serious , Cara , " he pleaded . " If you want to keep this child , I will love it as if it were my own . If you don't ... I'll go with you to the ... " He was cut off before he could finish . " Well , Max , " a lazy voice drawled , " Trying to steal my wife and my kid ? You really are ambitious , aren't you ? " 09:54 Chapter 2 Teddy sauntered out from the bathroom , wrapped in a towel . He casually slipped an arm around my waist , telling me into his side in a gaser gesture of ownership . " Teddy ? " Max stated , his brow knitting in disbelief . " It was you ? " Teddy nodded , a smug smile playing on his lips . " The one and only . A pure love warrior who lay in wait for over a decade and struck gold on the first try . " Max was speechless for a good ten seconds , a storm of complicated emotions swirling in his eyes . Finally , he composed himself , his gaze turning challenging as he looked at Teddy . " Cara loved me for seven years ! No , more than that ! She's loved me since we were kids ! You're just an opportunist who swooped in when she was vulnerable . " " Without this baby , she would never have left me . Even if she chooses you today out of spite , she will never truly love you . Teddy , even if you marry her , you'll always be my runner - up . " He used to use my love for him as a weapon , letting Ava walk all over me . Now he was using my past feelings as a dagger to wound Teddy , if that seed of doubt took root , it could poison everything between us . " Max ! " Teddy removed his hand from my waist . 15 The next second , Teddy's large , warm hand came to rest on my stomach . " I call this winning the jackpot , " he said , looking at Max . " This isn't a consolation prize . This is a badge of honor . A medal of victory . " " Without him , " he gestured to my belly , " I wouldn't be standing here today . " Teddy's words were laced with a playful , taunting sweetness . The more he smiled , the darker Max's face became . His furious gaze darted between me and Teddy. " You'll regret this , Cara , " Max bit out , forcing a calm he didn't feel as he turned to leave . " Wait , " I called out . He turned back , a flicker of hope in his eyes . I started to move towards him , but Teddy's hand tightened on my arm . He looked at me , his eyes filled with a heartbreakingly vulnerable expr- ession . I smiled and patted his hand reassuringly . " I just need to say something to him . " He reluctantly let me go and went back inside . I walked up to Max and held out my hand . "I bought the ring . I'd like it back , please ." He was still wearing the engagement ring I'd picked out , on his middle finger . I wanted no more ties to him , no mementos left behind for him to reminisce over . The light in Max's eyes slowly faded , replaced by a deep - seated despair , though a sliver of hope remained . " Cara , I don't believe you're really in love with him . It can't be that easy to fall in love with someone ." I dropped my gaze , repeating his words softly . " I never thought it could be this easy , either . " " But these last few days with Teddy ... I've been so happy . " I looked up , my gaze steady and unwavering . " Max , I haven't thought about you once . " " I really don't love you anymore . " " And I've really started to fall for Teddy . " 09:54 Chapter 2 09-54 05 " Your family was good to mine . I don't want this to be ugly . Let's just end things peacefully " A sheen of tears filmed Max's eyes . He stared at the silver band for a long moment , a bitter smile twisting his lips . " So I really did lose you . " He slowly pulled the ring off his finger and placed it in my palm . It was still warm from his skin . " It ... " his voice was thick with regret . " If I hadn't canceled the engagement ... " I cut him off . " There are no ' ifs ' . " " Everything happened just the way it was supposed to . " With that , I turned and walked back inside , leaving him with nothing but the sight of my retreating back . 16 When I got back inside , Teddy was trying and failing to hide a massive grin . " I heard everything , " he said . " So , you're choosing to marry me not just because of the baby ? " I wasn't going to hide it anymore . I stood on my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck . " No. " " And ... the other night , when I called you husband ... it was because I dreamed we got married . " " So , honey , when are we having the wedding ? Because I don't want to be holding our baby at the altar , like in my dream ." And there it was . The galaxy of stars I'd been searching for , finally glittering in his eyes . He was so overcome with emotion he couldn't speak . He just leaned down and kissed me , again and again , his love blooming with every tou- ch . " This month , " he breathed between kisses , his eyes hazy with passion . " We'll get married this month . " Then he mumbled , " God , when is this little freeloader finally going to be born ? " 17 The day Teddy and I went to his parents ' house with our marriage certificate , Chloe officially announced her relationship with a hot young act- or on her social media . She gave Teddy a shout - out , thanking him for being her protector and business partner , and congratulating him on finally getting the girl . Teddy's mother was a mix of relieved and annoyed as she read the news - annoyed that he had caused such a public scandal with an actress , but relieved that he wasn't actually marrying her . His father , on the other hand , sternly lectured him that if he had put half the effort he spent chasing a wife into the family business , he could have retired and traveled the world with his wife years ago . Just as Teddy had predicted , his parents were delighted with me . When they learned about their future grandchild , they immediately started planning their retirement itinerary , which now included a world tour with their grandbaby . 18 Our wedding went off without a hitch . There was only one minor incident . In a desperate attempt to force Max to marry her , Ava had climbed onto the roof of the building across from our wedding venue . Unfortunately for her , the wedding ended , and Max never showed up . After standing on the roof until her legs gave out , her survival instinct kicked in , and she came down on her own . 9/10 09:54 Chapter 2 Teddy smirked , his tone impossibly smug . " Not everyone has what it takes to win by playing the baby card . " Later that night , on our wedding night , I found him in the gym , grimly lifting weights . " Why aren't you smiling anymore ? " I asked . He grunted , finishing a rep . " I'm saving it all up for one massive laugh ... about a year from now . " 09:54