Part II — One Week Later
Bailey’s life began to unravel the night of Chase’s party.
The rumors spread through town like a sickness—quiet at first, then impossible to escape. She had never enjoyed attention, not even when she was with Ashton. Back then, people whispered about how the local girl managed to capture the golden boy. How someone so ordinary could be enough.
It never made her admired.
It made her watched.
Girls stared at her with envy sharpened into cruelty. Adults questioned her intentions behind polite smiles. A gold digger, they said. A girl who climbed her way into high society using her body.
This time, the words were uglier.
Slut. Cheater. Ungrateful.
How dare she betray Ashton Miller, the boy everyone loved, the boy everyone trusted?
Fear clawed at her chest. Ashton was thousands of miles away, but she knew the rumors would find him. They always did. She called him every day. Again and again. His line was always busy. Her messages unread.
Ashton never ignored her like this. Never.
She needed to explain.
She needed him to hear her before the lies hardened into truth.
And before she told him about the baby.
She was terrified. Lost. The only person who knew was Lynda.
Lynda’s reaction had been explosive—shock turning quickly into anger. She accused Bailey of being reckless, of destroying everything. When she saw Bailey break down, she apologized, softened her tone, tried to comfort her. Still, the disappointment lingered.
Her only advice was abortion.
“You’re too young,” Lynda had said. “So is Ashton. This will ruin both your futures.”
For a moment, Bailey almost believed her.
But she still needed to speak to him.
When word spread that Ashton was back in town, that someone had seen his car near the old roads, Bailey didn’t hesitate. She grabbed her bike and rode straight to his family’s mansion. His car was parked on the porch.
Her heart leapt.
The door wasn’t gated. She rang the bell twice.
The door opened.
“Ashton—” Relief flooded her. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him, sobbing. “I’ve been trying to call you. I thought you were busy. You never answered—”
He didn’t move.
Didn’t hold her.
Didn’t even flinch.
“I received every call, Bailey.”
His voice was cold. Measured.
She pulled back slowly. “Oh… then why—”
“Why didn’t I answer?” he cut in. “Because I didn’t want to hear more lies.”
Her breath hitched. “Can we talk inside? Please. I need to tell you something important before you hear it from someone else.”
“There’s nothing left to say,” he replied. “I already know what you did while I was away.”
Her chest tightened. “What do you think you know?”
“I’ve seen the photos,” he said. “I’ve heard the stories. You didn’t even try to hide it—going into a room alone with him at his own party.”
“That’s not what happened,” she said, shaking. “And you know me better than that.”
He laughed softly. Bitter. “I thought I did. Turns out I never knew you at all.”
She stepped back, staring at him. This wasn’t the boy who once promised to always listen. Who once swore she was the only one he trusted.
“And you believe them?” she asked. “After everything?”
“I believe what I can see,” he replied. “And I see a girl who crossed the line. You slept with him.”
“That’s a heavy accusation,” she said, her voice breaking. “Take it back. I came here to tell you the truth, hoping you’d let me.”
“Are you pregnant?”
The question struck like a blade.
She froze. “How… how do you know?”
His eyes darkened. “So it’s true.”
He leaned closer, his voice low and vicious. “You really are a whore.”
The word shattered her.
“What were you planning?” he continued, looking down at her like something filthy. “Passing the child off as mine?”
Her heart broke so violently she thought she might collapse.
“Take it back,” she whispered. “Please. Just take it back.”
“We’re done, Bailey,” he said coldly. “Thank you for ruining the best years of my life. Don’t ever show your face in front of me again.”
The door slammed shut.
Bailey flinched.
Her hand lifted instinctively to knock, to scream, to force him to listen.
Then she stopped.
Why should she beg?
She had done nothing wrong.
Years of love, years of trust, destroyed by rumors and a man who chose pride over truth. She thought love was built on something stronger.
She was wrong.
Love was an illusion. Just like her parents’ marriage. A beautiful lie meant to break people like her.
Bailey wiped her tears and turned away.
And with her heart in ruins, she made a vow she would never break. She would never trust love again.