Chapter 1
SIX DAYS AGO
“So, I went to get my pap smear today.”
She buckled her seatbelt as she sat in the passenger seat of her fiancé’s top of the line, latest edition BMW. The man sitting next to her raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“Oh, that's right. How did it go?”
Max put the car in drive and they headed toward their destination. He’d insisted on a new build. He wanted something untouched and squeaky clean. Blythe had always wanted a home with cozy vibes, but the man footing the bill wanted more of a palace.
She casually began telling him about the appointment. She’d never had a reason to get an exam like that one, but she’d wanted to go—just to make sure everything looked okay and she was ready for her wedding night. Max seemed to have a thought and cut her off mid sentence.
“Oh, did you get a prescription? Which pharmacy? We can stop on our way.”
Blythe was a little caught off-guard, though she answered him quickly. “I told Dr. Hawthorn that I wasn’t going on the pill, since we’ll be starting a family soon enough.” She smiled and reached across the console to lovingly touch his hand.
Max’s demeanor shifted as he pulled his hand away, not saying a word. His eyes were locked on the road in front of them, and he muttered something under his breath that she couldn’t make out. Maybe he’d had a rough day at the office?
She decided to let it go, and they drove the rest of the way in silence. He pulled the car onto the cement drive and parked directly in front of the gigantic home. Max insisted it be a circular pad, where guests and important clientele could park.
Blythe sat waiting for him to walk around and open her door, like he normally did. But instead, she watched him slam his and stride up the walkway—straight through the main entry.
Okay.
She pulled the handle and got out herself before entering the house that was supposed to be the start of their newlywed forever. She moved all the way down the front hall and into the room where the kitchen was currently being designed and pieced together. Max gave her full reign to decide which appliances, cupboards, countertops and flooring would be built into the set up. But everything she chose, although beautiful, had to slide across Max’s desk for approval.
She’d picked cream-colored cabinets with matching granite countertops. A stainless steel oven, microwave and dishwasher were sitting in the middle of the floor, ready to be placed where they belonged. She noted the matching double door refrigerator, donning a massive bottom freezer. Everything looked like it was in order—fancy, just like Max liked his things. The light fixtures hanging from the ceiling were exquisite and truly did add the perfect amount of frosting to the ensemble.
Max’s keys were sitting on the island counter as she moved toward him. He wasn’t acting like his normal self.
“Hey…” she said gently as she continued walking. “Is there something wrong? Did something happen at work?”
His gaze lifted to hers, and his voice echoed in the empty space. “Give me a fucking break, sweetheart.”
The man’s statement was flat with a heavy dose of sarcasm dripping off the words. She approached the opposite side of the granite slab that floated in the middle of the room as he continued.
“Starting a family soon enough? Did you honestly think that was the plan?” He was belittling her. “So, I guess you intend to be one of those women?”
She genuinely didn’t know what to make of the confrontation.
“What are you saying, Max? One of those women? We’ve talked about this…”
As an only child, she desperately wanted kids. Looking back, she realized she may have simply been talking to herself. Apparently, he’d chosen not to listen, or maybe he’d simply agreed with her to appease her in the moment.
“I’ve never wanted children.” He was acting like this was the first time she’d ever brought it up. His face was twisted and blatantly angry. She barely recognized him. “You are supposed to be the wife of one of the most wealthy and well known men in Chicago. In case you forgot, that’s me, sweetheart. There is a goddamn reputation involved in that. There’s going to be red carpet events. There will be ribbon cuttings, newspaper articles, and you will be in the spotlight—we will be in the spotlight!”
He paused a moment, his chest heaving. Turning in a half circle, he fisted his once perfectly coiffed hair, then pointed a finger in her direction.
“My wife will not be nursing babies and dipping out of important functions. Especially not to take care of a screaming kid when the nanny can’t fucking handle it.”
Blythe stared at him in disbelief, arms folded across her chest with tears of fury in her eyes. She quickly realized the man she’d fallen in love with didn't exist. Under every kiss, touch and smile was this heartless son of a bitch? She wanted to run—but she didn’t. She stood her ground.
“Who the hell are you?” she whispered, a disgusted and tortured look in her eyes. Had she been so blind? Her tone elevated. “You have never once expressed to me that you didn’t want a family. I’m not a mind reader, but apparently I’m the one who needs a reality check? Why don’t you give me a break, Mr. Harrison!”
Max slammed his fist on the granite and chucked his car keys across the room. He must’ve realized the temper tantrum he was throwing because he attempted to calm himself down. He ran the palm of his hand over his face and adjusted his neck before pinning her with his glare one more time. She glared back, matching his unspoken dare for her to challenge him further. If he thought he could scare her into submission that easy, he was dead wrong.
“This isn’t over, Blythe. I am taking you home, and we can discuss this tomorrow when you’ve come to your senses.”
Max swiftly moved across the floor and grabbed his car keys from where they’d landed. Blythe stood in horror as she watched his every move. She didn’t say another word. She didn’t want to get back in the car with him. Maybe she could call an Uber? Max stood, holding the main door open, waiting for her to follow him and walk through it. She had a strong feeling that putting up a fight over riding home with him wouldn’t end well for her. So, she rolled her shoulders back and walked through the doorway and out to his car.
While he drove, all she could think about was planning her next move. Whatever it was, it had to be big. There was no way in hell she was going to marry him. Not in a thousand lifetimes.
TWO DAYS LATER
The roses that kept showing up at her apartment just pissed her off even more. She hadn’t talked to Max since he dropped her off. He’d tried to call, but she never answered. He left voicemails, and she didn’t return them. If she didn’t make a move, he was going to show up, whether she liked it or not.
“Hey girl… These flowers are getting obnoxious. Can we take them down to the alley and light ‘em on fire in the dumpster back there?”
Jenny was her roommate and a fabulous friend. They’d met waitressing after high school. Blythe laughed and flopped on the couch.
“That would be fun, but we might get the fire department called on us,” she scoffed. “Because these bouquets could fill up at least three of those cans.”
“I don’t mind a group of hot firemen. Sounds like a badass idea to me.” Jenny winked and sat down next to her, then grabbed a pillow and wrapped her arms around it. “What’s your plan, Bee?”
Blythe paused. “My uncle called today. When I told him what happened, he invited me back to Silo Springs for a while. I’m going to take him up on it. I haven’t seen my family there in years, and I need to let the dust settle.” She pointed to the ring box she’d placed on the coffee table the night Max brought her home. “Especially after I drop this god awful ring at the office tomorrow.”
“Holy shit, are you just going to hand it to him and walk out?” Jenny leaned in, like she was ready to eat up all the drama.
“No, I’m going to go early, before anyone shows up. I know when Max usually gets there, and I want to be gone before he does.”
“Wow, girl, this is totally giving Runaway Bride… ” Jenny clapped her hands and giggled. “How can I help? Like, how long are you going to be gone? Do I need to get another roommate?”
“You totally could.” Blythe laughed a little. “I honestly don’t know when I’ll be back. Maybe the end of the summer? But, I mean, I’m not going to be working for Max anymore, so I won’t have a job here—and my parents don’t care one way or another what I am doing or where I live. I could just stay in Montana. I’ve always loved it out there, and who knows? Maybe a fresh start is the ticket.”
“Awe…” Jenny poked out her lip. “I’ll miss you. If you stay, I’ll have to eventually hop a plane. You know I won’t be able to survive on phone calls and FaceTime alone. But I want you to be happy, and if skipping town and running away from that asshole is what you need to do, then I support you.”
Thank heaven for Jenny. She was Blythe’s ride or die friend, and she was going to need her help packing and getting things ready to go.