The Moment I Realized I Can't Lose You novel Chapter 1

Audrey Sinclair was pregnant. Walking out of the hospital, her hands trembled as she dialed her husband's number.

"Joaquin..." Clenching the ultrasound results, her palms were slick with sweat. "I... I need to talk to you."

There was a heavy pause on the other end before a chillingly smooth voice replied. "Good timing. I need to talk to you, too. I'll be home at seven."

Then the line went dead.

Listening to the dial tone, Audrey felt a sharp twinge in her chest. For some reason, Joaquin sounded colder than usual today.

She took a deep breath, patting her cheeks to shake off the anxiety. He was the CEO of Silveridge City's largest multinational corporation; he had a lot on his plate. His tone probably wasn't directed at her.

By seven o'clock, Audrey sat at the dining table, staring at a lavish spread of his favorite dishes. She had cooked everything from scratch, hoping to lift his spirits.

But to her surprise, the famously punctual Joaquin Judd was late.

At eight, the front door finally clicked open. The imposing man strode in, shedding his trench coat and handing it to the maid without a glance.

Audrey immediately stood up, offering a warm smile. "What kept you?"

"Got held up." Joaquin Judd walked over with a folder in his hand and sat at the head of the table, crossing his long legs with effortless, aristocratic grace.

"You had something to tell me?" He didn't even pick up his fork. His fathomless eyes locked onto her, his voice devoid of warmth. "Go ahead."

The suffocatingly cold atmosphere made Audrey’s throat tighten. The news of the baby suddenly felt impossible to say. She forced a strained smile. "Why don't... why don't you go first?"

Joaquin was silent for a moment before he delivered the blow. "Rainey is back."

Those three words plunged Audrey into an ice bath.

Rainey Sinclair was her cousin. She and Joaquin were childhood sweethearts, practically raised together.

A year ago, Rainey was the one supposed to marry him. But on the eve of the wedding, she vanished without a trace. To save the Judd and Sinclair families from total humiliation, the Sinclairs tracked Audrey down in her rural hometown and forced her to take Rainey’s place at the altar.

Biting back the pain, she looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Two months ago, when you had your assistant take me for a full health checkup... it was actually for a bone marrow match. Wasn't it?"

Joaquin gave a curt nod. "Yes. I didn't tell you beforehand because Rainey's return had to be kept strictly confidential."

Every word he spoke felt like an ice pick to her heart. That checkup had been the first time in their year-long marriage that he had shown any concern for her well-being. She had been overjoyed, foolishly believing their relationship was finally turning a corner.

Looking back, it was both pathetic and hilarious. The affection she thought they were building was just him secretly hunting for a donor for the love of his life...

Audrey lifted her chin, her gaze cutting across the extravagant dinner she had spent hours preparing, and met his eyes with unwavering resolve. "I won't do it."

As she spoke, her hand instinctively moved to rest protectively over her flat stomach. This little life was only two months old. She couldn't risk it.

Clearly not expecting a refusal, Joaquin frowned. "I will hire the best medical team in the world. You’ll receive top-tier aftercare, and it won't impact your health long-term. Rainey is out of time."

Audrey stared at him with quiet, unyielding defiance. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Joaquin, I'm pregnant."