Chapter 1

Four months after we broke up, I called Blake.

"I'm pregnant. Do you want this child?"

Blake practically recoiled.

"We were super careful, Skylar. Don't try to pin this on me."

I asked again.

"You're sure you don't want this child, right?"

"I don't."

Blake's answer was firm.

A wave of relief washed over me. Good, one less battle to fight for my child.

I was on my own, raising her from day one.

Until my daughter turned five. Suddenly, my ex and his best friend were practically fighting over who got to be her dad.

It had been six years since I last saw Blake.

Honestly, he hadn't changed much. Still stylish, but his expression was dark, like a storm cloud.

"Mom, I'm hungry!"

Lily rubbed her tummy.

I turned and headed into the kitchen to prepare her some oatmeal.

Blake remained frozen in the doorway.

Lily finished a big bowl, then turned to look at Blake, letting out a dramatic sigh.

"Mom, you two should probably talk it out. I need to do my homework."

She picked up her small backpack.

"But just so we're clear, my custody is non-negotiable."

Those three words – "custody is non-negotiable" – finally hit a raw nerve with Blake. He glared at me, seething.

"Skylar, you secretly had my child!"

I glanced back at Lily's closed bedroom door.

My daughter was mature for her age, but some things weren't meant for her ears.

Worried the house wasn't soundproof enough, I simply stepped outside, leading Blake to the stairwell.

"Skylar, don't think I don't know what you're up to. Are you trying to get your hands on my family's fortune by having a child, hoping for a piece of the pie?" Blake sneered.

"I'm telling you, it's not that easy!"

I pulled out my phone and played a recording I'd saved for six years.

"I'm pregnant. Do you want this child?"

"We were super careful, Skylar. Don't try to pin this on me."

"You're sure you don't want this child, right?"

"I don't."

Once it finished, afraid Blake hadn't heard clearly, I replayed it.

He froze, like someone had suddenly cut his mic, his accusatory tone dying in his throat.

"I knew this day would come, so I kept my receipts."

I crossed my arms, giving Blake a critical once-over.

"Your parents still haven't made you the heir after all these years. Guess they know you're not exactly leadership material. You think you have a shot at custody? Please. You're not even in my league."

Blake slammed his fist against the wall in frustration.

I patted Blake's shoulder.

"Just a warning: stay away from my daughter from now on. Otherwise, don't blame me for calling the cops and reporting you for trying to snatch my kid."

"Why not? I'm her dad!"

"Oh? Proof?"

"I can do a DNA test!"

I looked at him with pity.

"Without a court order, a private DNA test means nothing legally."