Xavier watched her go, amused. Interesting. Though I lacked Fraser's striking, almost brutal beauty, I still appealed, tall at 190cm, with a refined handsomeness that exuded effortless charm. For the first time in my life, I had been rejected outright by a beautiful woman, and damn it, it stung. He looked back at the scene, his gaze lingering on Fraser. We'd known each other for years. But this was the first time I'd seen the usually unflappable "Bossman" so completely unraveled. Tch. Women really were trouble. Xavier vowed then and there. I'd never lose myself over one. What a senseless waste. Summer wasn't quite sure how she ended up in the passenger seat of Fraser's Mystery. The car glided along Havenbrook's riverfront, where neon lights from the opposite bank shimmered like scattered stars against the night sky. Reeds whispered along the banks, their rustling melding with the hum of the city. With the push of a button, Fraser retracted the roof, transforming the sleek vehicle into an open-air spectacle that turned heads. He slumped back in the driver's seat and fished out a cigarette case. A slim cigarette dangled between his fingers until he abruptly stuffed it back, unlit. He tapped the case absently, his voice deceptively casual. "Why the abortion?" Summer kept her eyes on the hypnotic river lights. "You should be asking if the baby is even yours." Fraser's gaze dropped to her still-flat belly, his mouth twitching. "It is." Her lips pressed together. "No. It's mine, only mine."After a steadying breath, she turned to face him fully. Those dark eyes, deep enough to drown, locked with hers. "Fraser," she said slowly, "we're done. A baby changes nothing." His expression hardened. "So I'm supposed to pretend this isn't happening?" A humorless laugh. "Dream on." Summer looked away, concentrating on the reeds swaying in the breeze. "Then what? Will you marry me?" The silence stretched. Then she laughed, bitter but unsurprised. "Relax," she said gently. "I'm not trying to trap you. The moment I got off the operating table, I decided to raise this child on my own." Fraser scoffed. "So what, you're going to cut me out completely?" His voice became razor-sharp. "Impressive, Summer. Truly?" Her nails dug into her palms. "I didn't tell you at first because I didn't want complications. But now that you know..." She met his eyes pleadingly. "For what we had, let me do this my way." When he remained stone-faced, she continued. "Someone like you could have any woman who bore your children." The cigarette case hit the dashboard with a clatter. "Why ask me?" Fraser bit out, jerking his chin at her stomach. "Ask the child. Apparently I'm just a sperm donor here." Summer exhaled sharply. Unbelievable. "If you get married someday," she said tightly, "I swear the kid won't interfere." His jaw clenched. Every word out of her mouth was another shovelful of dirt on my grave, like another way to erase me. As if I were already dead. "How considerate," he scoffed. "Shall I call a press conference? Let all of Havenbrook know how magnanimous my ex is?" Summer's patience snapped. Why is this guy so unreasonable? "You know damn well your family would never accept me!" Her encounters with Helen flashed through her mind; the steel-eyed matriarch would skin me alive. This baby was now mine to protect. I can't cover the risk. Fraser studied her for a long moment before muttering, "If marriage is what you want..." "No." She cut him off. "No forced compromises. This baby..." Her voice wavered. "It's my surprise. Not our fault." The Mystery purred to life, merging into Havenbrook's glittering bloodstream. The silence thickened between them. Summer turned to the window, watching the blur of neon and traffic-a chaotic mirror of her tangled emotions.