Chapter 1My Sister Is Pregnant with My Fiancé’s Baby

Bradley’s slap tore open my gunshot wound, sending me back into surgery. When I woke, my family stood outside my room, whispering. Clara’s swollen belly stretched her dress—seven, maybe eight months along. No wonder they’d sounded tense when the consulate called about my injury. They probably wished I’d died overseas.

Mom finally entered, avoiding my gaze. “Evie… it’s been about six months…”

I laughed bitterly. “Twelve months in a year, and she’s nearly due. Six months?”

She burst into tears. “Let her have Bradley! She’s depressed, not as strong as you!”

My blood ran cold. “Mom, you swore he was just after our money—that you’d never let him near us.”