Just Another Series Book 5: Just Another Baby
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Vesper Nadine
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330K
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36
Fifteen years ago, Vicky loses the love of her life and learns how to survive without him. While the world moves on, she carries memories, quiet strength, and a secret that grows up far too fast—a daughter who deserves answers. Just when the past feels safely buried, the impossible happens. The man she mourns steps out of the shadows, alive but changed by a life she never imagined. The boy she loved has become a powerful and dangerous figure in a world ruled by secrets. Old emotions rise the moment their eyes meet again, but time has rewritten both of their lives. Between hidden truths, second chances, and a daughter who ties their hearts together, they must face the question of whether love can survive fifteen years apart.
Prologue
Book 5: Just Another Baby
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
VICKY
“Hey, Vick. Are you coming to dinner tonight? Lizzy is doing your favorite. Steaks and mashed potatoes.”
I was running late to the meeting point where Devin was waiting for me, but if I didn’t stop and answer, Aron would get suspicious. “I’ll call you later, okay? I have some things to take care of, but if I can manage it, you know I’d love to come.”
He chuckled at my answer. “Okay. I know better than to ask what you have planned. Just be careful, please. And call me when you get home.”
That was Aron for you. I knew he had suspicions about my weird behavior, but he never asked. It was like he knew I wasn’t willing to share things yet. He was my best friend, but we were more like siblings. The same went for his sister Ana. She was shy at first, but once she got to know you, you realized she was feisty with a wicked sense of humor.
They always looked out for me, just like I looked out for them. So instead of arguing, I gave him a quick hug and assured him I’d call.
Not surprisingly, Devin was already waiting for me. He was leaning against the passenger side of his car, looking as handsome as ever. “Sorry I’m late…”
“Did Aron catch you again?”
I burst into laughter at his words. He knew me and my best friend well, but surprisingly, he was never jealous of Aron. “Yes. I told him I’d give him a call later. So where are we going today?”
He gave me another one of his perfect smiles before he answered. “Someplace special for me. And I hope it will be for you too.”
We jumped into his Camaro, and the next hour we spent on the road, talking to each other about our day. The whole time, my hand was firmly planted in his.
When we arrived at our destination, I didn’t see anything at first. But when we stepped out and Devin pushed away some tree branches, there in the middle of a beautiful meadow stood a perfect little cottage. I was left completely speechless.
He took my hand once more and led me to the cottage. While he unlocked the front door, I was just taking in our surroundings. As we stepped inside, a sense of home overcame me. “This is beautiful, Devin. But whose is it?”
Devin rarely blushed, but at that moment, a blush crept across his cheeks. “It’s actually mine. I was saving every penny from my paychecks while I was working for Dad to get the experience I needed. And I fell in love when I saw it. So I bought it.”
A quiet chuckle escaped me. “Should I be jealous of a cottage now?”
In the next moment, he was kissing me like his life depended on it. When he finally let me get some much-needed air, he looked me in the eyes while his forehead was still pressed to mine. “You don’t need to be jealous of anyone or anything. I’m yours and will always be.”
His words melted my sarcastic heart. Suddenly, he let go of my face and took a step back, sending me into high alert right away. “I brought you here for a reason today. We finish school at the end of the week, and I’m tired of hiding you. I want to shout that you’re mine.”
He dropped to one knee while I was just staring at him, trying to process everything. “So I guess what I’m asking you is if you would do me the honor and become my wife. Will you marry me, Vicky?”
I had to still be sleeping, but I didn’t care. I wanted this as much as my next breath. If it was a dream, so be it, but I’d enjoy it while it lasted. “Yes! Oh my God, yes!”
He slipped a beautiful but simple ring on my finger. It was a princess-cut ring with one tiny diamond, and I loved him even more because it was simple, even though I knew he could afford much bigger rings. I was done waiting, so this time I attacked him, kissing his lips and preparing myself for this next step I was ready to take with him. “Make me yours, Devin. In every way possible.”
He stiffened in my embrace. “Are you sure, Vicky? You know I can wait for you. We don’t have to hurry.”
It was my turn to give him a soft smile. “I’m sure, Devin. Make love to me.”
No more words were needed. He put his hands under my ass and lifted me up. He was as gentle as if I was made of glass while he carried me to bed. Today would be one of the best days of my life.
TWO WEEKS LATER
It had been about two weeks since our afternoon in the cottage, and I hated to admit this, but we’d barely seen each other. I knew he came from a wealthy family, and unfortunately, sometimes he had to take care of business and help his father. He also had to spend time with his brother and other kids from wealthy families.
I understood those things, but that didn’t prevent me from missing him badly.
But today we planned to see each other at our cottage and spend the whole day together. So that was where I was right now, just waiting for him to arrive. And I was anxious because I had some—hopefully—great news to share with him.
Suddenly, my phone beeped with an incoming text. Guess what? It was from Devin.
Devin
Hey, love. I’ll be a bit late. My mother needs me to go to the mall for a tuxedo or something for a gala my father is organizing.
Devin
I’ll also pick out a dress for you because you’re coming with me, and I won’t take no for an answer.
Devin
See you soon. I love you.
I smiled at his text. Even though I was sad he’d be late again, I understood, and I loved how he could be possessive and sweet at the same time. So instead of sulking, I busied myself with some cleaning around the house.
My thoughts drifted to the future…with Devin, of course. We could someday buy another, maybe a bit bigger, cottage where we’d go on vacation with our kids and friends. A house on the outskirts of London with a huge yard. I didn’t have a happy childhood. That was why I wanted that for my kids so much more.
But suddenly, something in my gut was telling me something bad was about to happen. When you lived like me—alone from a young age—you got used to trusting your gut feeling. When it told you something was not right, there was a ninety-nine percent chance your gut feeling was correct. First thought I had was Devin.
So, I pulled out my phone and tried calling him, but it went straight to voicemail. Weird. But I still tried to reason with myself and not freak out just yet.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over me. I sat down for a moment and just waited for it to pass. I tried calling Devin one more time, but I still couldn’t reach him.
The worry inside me kept getting bigger and bigger with each moment that passed and I didn’t hear from him. It was almost seven in the evening, and now I was sure something was wrong. One more time. I would try to call him one last time.
This time though, the call went through.
“Devin! Thank God! Are you okay?”
A moment of silence followed, and then an unknown voice answered me.
“Hi. Are you Victoria Callahan? Devin’s girlfriend?”
This weird sense of dread kept growing in the pit of my stomach. In a small voice, I confirmed my identity to him, and as soon as I said it, a shuddered breath escaped him, making it obvious whatever he was about to say next would not be good.
“I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Devin was with Mom in the car, and on their way to the mall, they got run off the road by a truck. I am sorry, Victoria, but they are both dead.”
As soon as those words left his lips, my phone fell from my hand. I could still hear the strange man’s voice calling my name, but all I could think was Devin was dead. Now I was all alone with this pain, grief, and an engagement ring that would forever stay a reminder of a future I would never have and a baby growing inside me…
NINE MONTHS LATER
Earlier this morning, Sidney came into this world strong, healthy, and screaming at the whole world. Yup. Devin’s traits were already showing. This moment was bittersweet for me because on one hand, I could not be happier to have a part of Devin with me for as long as I lived. But on the other hand, I just wished he would be with me on this journey…
I was just starting to drift away into the land of sleep when suddenly a knock sounded on the door. But I felt too exhausted to open my eyes, so I thought to myself, whoever it was would just let themselves in. It was probably just Gabriel with our things.
We became really good friends, and he came by the restaurant where I worked with Sophie every day. He was a huge, scary man on the outside but had a heart of gold on the inside.
The door opened, and whoever was knocking silently moved around the room. I could hear faint movement around the room and felt some tugging around my IV drip, thinking it was just a doctor. A few moments later, the person left my room, and suddenly a weird drowsiness overcame me.
Next thing I knew, it all went black for a while, before I woke up in the ICU, connected to many wires. Gabriel was right by my side and told me someone was trying to kill me by pumping air into my IV drip. The person responsible for that shit also tried to take Sidney, but thank God, Gabriel showed at the right moment.
The person escaped, but he promised me he would make sure they were caught sooner or later.
But what was running through my mind was far more troublesome. Somehow, I had a suspicion that the whole thing was kind of connected to what happened with Devin and his mother. If that was the case, then I needed to change my plans.
Earlier, I had been thinking about bringing Sidney back home, to London, and introducing her to my family—Aron, Ana, Aunt Lizzie. But as I was lying in my bed thinking about the things we just managed to escape—barely—I realized it was not safe for me or Sidney to go back to London.
Gabriel’s rumbling suddenly stopped when I grabbed his hand. “Sidney’s identity must stay hidden. It is not safe, Gabriel. Not after what happened today. Promise me you will help me keep her safe.”
He gave me a soft smile before speaking. “I promise on my life.”
If only I knew back then how much more tangled all this was…
