Chapter 10

One thing led to another, and when I woke up in a hotel room the next morning, clothes scattered across the floor, I felt like my world was crashing down.

What had I done while drunk?!

Panicking, I slipped out before he woke up.

For weeks, I avoided him, dodging his calls and making excuses about work trips to skip our matchmaking meetings.

Until a month later, I found out I was pregnant.

I was in shock.

"Skylar, whose baby is it? How could you—oh my God!" My mom was frantic, pacing back and forth.

I stammered, unsure how to explain Hayden's role.

Then, as if on cue, he showed up at my house.

"It's mine," he said calmly.

"Hayden! You two are together?!" My mom's face lit up with joy.

I stood there, dumbfounded.

Turns out, my mystery match had always been Hayden.

"Sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I was afraid you wouldn't accept me," he admitted.

"Why did you leave that morning? I couldn't find you and was worried sick."

Thinking about that night made me want to disappear.

Finally, he wrapped me in his arms, whispering, "Skylar, let me take care of you. From now on, we're a family."

Hayden proposed surrounded by our friends and family, putting a ring on my finger.

We got married soon after.

Meanwhile, I heard Carter and Brielle had split up.

One evening, Hayden was in the kitchen, perfecting a pregnancy-safe soup recipe.

That's when Carter called again.

"You always loved that dress, right? I bought it for you."

"I've sent Brielle away. Can we stop this nonsense? I'll forgive you for leaving."

"Skylar Quinn, where are you? Get back here and marry me!"

Hayden picked up the phone instead, his tone unfazed.

"My wife is busy resting for her pregnancy. Can I help you with something?"

Carter's voice exploded through the phone.

"What the hell are you talking about? Skylar Quinn can't be your wife! She's my girlfriend!"

"Who are you, and why are you holding Skylar's phone?!"

"Where's Skylar? Tell me where she is!"

Hayden's voice was calm yet firm as he replied, "I'm her legal husband and the father of her child." Then, without waiting for a response, he hung up.

He knelt beside me, his expression gentle and protective.

"I don't want him stressing you out, especially with the baby coming. Let's agree to ignore calls from unknown numbers, okay?"

I nodded, a faint smile on my face.

It wasn't long before Carter found us.

He looked terrible—pale, unshaven, and hollow-eyed.

"Skylar, I've really sent Brielle away this time. She won't come between us anymore."

"Come back home with me. Let's forget everything and start fresh, okay?"

His tone was desperate, unlike anything I'd seen before, almost pitiful.

Hayden stepped in front of me, protecting me as he pushed Carter back.

"Skylar is my wife now. Leave!"

Hayden could be intimidating when he wanted to, and for a moment, Carter hesitated.

But then his eyes turned to me, red-rimmed and pleading.