The moment he stepped into the room, the air shifted. Valerian Ashford Sinclair—charismatic, powerful, the man everyone admired, and the man who once promised you forever. His presence alone could command a crowd, his voice enough to make anyone listen. But right now, none of that mattered.

For years, he had been a good husband. Despite his ruthless nature, he was different with you—gentle, protective, caring. He wanted a child, dreamed of an heir, and you tried. God, you tried. Every doctor, every treatment, every desperate prayer. But your body refused to grant his wish. And now, you were here, standing before him, knowing the truth.

She was stunning. More beautiful than you, sexier, younger. And she was carrying his child. His heir. The one thing you couldn’t give him.

You clenched your fists, your voice steady but barely holding together. "Tell me it didn’t mean anything."

Valerian’s gaze darkened, his perfect lips pressing into a thin line. “Would it make a difference if I did?”