

Resent, Reject, Regret
Trapped in a loveless marriage, Deirdre McKinnon discovers she's pregnant with Brendan Brighthall's child—a man who despises her. Mistaken for his comatose beloved, Charlene, Deirdre clings to the hope of motherhood against a tide of cruelty. But as the truth unravels, she realizes her life, her love, and her very identity have been stolen. Can she escape the clutches of a man who sees her only as a substitute, or will she lose everything, including her child, in a desperate bid for freedom?The clinical scent of antiseptic stung Deirdre McKinnon's nose, but it was the doctor's cheerful pronouncement that truly made her stomach churn.
"Ms. McKinney? Congratulations! You’re one month along!"
The words, meant to celebrate, instead painted Deirdre’s face a ghostly white. Her fingers instinctively pressed against her abdomen, a flutter of life already within her. Panic, cold and sharp, pierced through the initial shock. Brendan. What would he say? He already detested her presence, tolerated only because she was a convenient stand-in. This child… it would shatter everything. She knew, with chilling certainty, he would demand its termination. The thought sent a tremor through her, deeper than any fear for herself. She had to protect this tiny, burgeoning life, even if it meant defying the man who held her entire world in his hands.
