Love That Did Not Last — Episode 17

The year my father's affair killed my mother, I began to loathe him. To appease me, he threw me into the arms of Victor Young, my secret crush of ten years. After one night, I was hooked. Three months later, swayed by his charms, I forgave my father. A month later, I was pregnant. I became the most pampered expectant mother in Beverly Hills. Both husband and father awaited me at every check-up, treating me like royalty. But on the day of the crucial ultrasound, they both vanished. 'Important project,' my father said, stroking my hair. 'I'll bring gifts after,' Victor promised, rubbing my belly. I watched them leave, smiling. Then, an anonymous video arrived. My father stood in a groom's suit beside Morgana Ashford—the woman who killed my mother. Beside her was their pregnant daughter in a wedding dress, arm-in-arm with Victor. 'Double happiness!' the crowd cheered, toasting Hunter's true love and Young's perfect match. Then came my father's voice: 'The sham marriage with Emily means nothing. The child will be illegitimate.' Victor laughed, 'Emily has everything, and Isabella grew up a bastard. I won't let my kid suffer that fate.' I bit my lip, suppressed my tears, and left. My phone vibrated: a sterilization certificate and a message: 'If you wish, the child you carry will be my only heir.'