Chapter 1
JIA
"You aren't returning late today like always, are you?" I grumbled into the phone, shifting my weight to adjust my swollen belly as it pressed uncomfortably against my ribs. I stretched my aching feet onto a stool, wincing as the pressure eased.
Pregnancy wasn’t all bliss, but it had its tender moments—like right now, with Rowan’s warm voice on the line.
“I wouldn’t dare, your highness,” he chuckled, the deep timbre of his voice sending a warmth through me that I desperately needed. “This was supposed to be a surprise, but I’m already on my way.”
His laugh, so full of life, filled the quiet room. I couldn’t help but smile, my cheeks flushing with warmth, grateful he couldn’t see how much I adored him, even after all these years. But I kept up my ‘nagging wife’ act—he didn’t need to know just how excited I was.
“Why should I believe you? You always say that, yet here I am, waiting like always,” I teased, dipping my hand into the bag of chips beside me.
“I swear on Coco, babe,” he replied, his voice deep with affection. “I’ll be home in thirty… no, thirty-five minutes tops. I’ve got a stop to make at Milk ‘n’ Shake for your favorite.”
He knew the way to my heart. That chocolate cake from Milk ‘n’ Shake had become my pregnancy obsession. I couldn’t get enough of it, and Rowan always went out of his way to make sure I had some.
I couldn’t help but soften. “Alright, babe,” I muttered, trying to mask my excitement.
His laughter rumbled again. “You can’t hide from me. I know you too well.”
I huffed playfully, rolling my eyes, but inside, I was already counting down the minutes. It wasn’t just the cake or the lamb dinner I’d slaved over all day—it was the fact that tonight was special.
It was Rowan’s birthday, and despite his usual disregard for the day, I’d made every effort to celebrate him. He was the love of my life, the man who turned my world from gray to vibrant colors. He deserved to be celebrated, even if he didn’t think so.
My gaze flicked to the clock. “It’s 6 p.m. now. You should be home by 7, right?”
“Don’t worry, Jia,” he soothed. “I’ll be there before you fall asleep. I promise.”
“You better,” I muttered, though my voice softened. “I’m not responsible for how early I knock out these days.”
“That’s all Coco’s fault,” Rowan teased. “When he’s out, I’ll give him an earful for making my wife go through all this torment.”
I giggled, feeling a soft nudge in my belly. As if on cue, Coco was making his presence known. “I think he heard you,” I smiled.
“I have to go now, baby. I’ll be home soon. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I whispered, but he’d already hung up. I stared at the phone, feeling the echo of his words settle deep in my chest. It had been four years since Rowan entered my life, and two since we’d gotten married, but he still made my heart race like it was the first time.
I rested a hand on my belly, the rhythmic kicks of our son reminding me of the miracle growing inside me. We had tried for so long to have a baby, but every time we thought we’d succeeded, fate had cruelly snatched it away. But not this time. This time, Coco was staying. He was our miracle, and in two weeks, we’d finally hold him in our arms. The thought made me smile—our little family, complete at last.
A sharp pain in my side pulled me from my thoughts. I winced, gripping the edge of the couch. It wasn’t the first time I’d felt this twinge of pain, but I wasn’t worried. I’d been told it was normal at this stage. Still, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling creeping up my spine.
I glanced at the clock again—7:05. Where was he? I dialed his number, but it went straight to voicemail.
That was strange. Rowan never turned his phone off. Ever.
An hour passed. The day had surrendered to darkness, and the house felt colder without him. I tried calling again, but still nothing. My heart began to race, that familiar, icy grip of fear tightening around my chest. This wasn’t like him. He would’ve called if something had come up. He never left me waiting, especially not in my condition.
At 8:30 p.m., the doorbell rang.
My heart leaped into my throat. I rushed to the door, preparing to scold him for worrying me, but when I opened it, my smile died on my lips.
Two police officers stood on the doorstep.
Everything in me stilled. My hand gripped the doorframe as I stared at them, my breath caught in my chest. They were dressed in their uniforms, their expressions heavy, like they were carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.
“Is this the home of Mr. Rowan Cardel?” the male officer asked, his voice steady but soft.
My mouth went dry. “Yes,” I whispered. “I’m his wife. Is… is something wrong?”
They exchanged a glance, and I could see the grief in their eyes. My knees went weak, my entire body trembling as if sensing the devastation that was about to hit me.
“I’m so sorry, ma’am,” the male officer said quietly, “but your husband… there was an accident. A car crash at Mile Bridge. His car exploded, and…”
His words started to blur as the ground seemed to vanish beneath me. Car crash. Explosion. Rowan… My Rowan. No. No, this couldn’t be real.
“We found his wallet in the wreckage,” the officer continued, his voice distant as the world spun around me. “But… we couldn’t recover his body.”
The walls of the room began to close in, and the sound of his voice faded, replaced by a deafening ringing in my ears. My vision blurred, tears streaming down my face before I could even register them. The world as I knew it was shattering into pieces, every breath a struggle as if the air had been stolen from my lungs.
Rowan. Gone. My heart screamed in denial. This couldn’t be happening. He had just called me. We had plans. A life. A baby. He couldn’t be gone.
I took a step back, the pain in my belly intensifying as if my body was grieving with me. My hand instinctively flew to my stomach, cradling the life that was still here, still holding on. But the one who was supposed to share it with me… was gone.
“Ma’am? Ma’am?”
I heard the officers’ voices, distant and muffled, like I was underwater. My knees buckled, and the darkness that had been creeping in finally consumed me, dragging me into oblivion.
