Chapter 2

One thousand four hundred and sixty Aspen sunrises.

That's how Sarah counted the days.

Four years had passed since Ethan's three-year promise.

Four years of waiting.

Four years of seeing Ethan less and less, his visits filled with hurried apologies and strained smiles.

He was a father now, a Vanderbilt father.

Sarah had become a shadow in his life, a secret he kept.

He found her in her small apartment, the one he paid for.

He looked older, more tired than ever.

"Sarah," he began, and she knew. Another delay. Another broken piece of their dream.

"My grandparents... they're pleased with EJ. But now... they want a daughter."

Sarah stared at him, numb.

"A complete family, they call it. A boy and a girl. For the business, for appearances."

"Brittany?" she asked, her voice flat.

Ethan nodded, unable to meet her eyes. "They're already trying."

"And Aspen?" The word felt like ash in her mouth.

"Soon, Sarah, I promise. After this. This is the last thing, I swear. Then we're free."

He reached for her, but she stepped back.

"What am I supposed to do, Ethan? Just keep waiting?"

"I know it's hard," he said, his voice low. "But I love you. Never doubt that."

Love. The word felt hollow now.

She had become a nanny to EJ during those four years.

Ethan had arranged it.

"He needs a gentle influence," Ethan had said. "Someone who... understands."

So Sarah spent her days in the Vanderbilt mansion, under the cold eyes of Mrs. Peterson, the housekeeper, and the disdainful gaze of the Vanderbilts Sr. when they visited.

EJ was a spoiled, difficult child, already reflecting the family's attitude towards her. He called her "the sad lady."

Then, the unthinkable happened.

Sarah missed her period.

A test confirmed it.

She was pregnant. With Ethan's child.

A small, terrified flutter of hope sparked within her. Maybe this would change things. Maybe this was their chance.

She told Ethan, her hands trembling.

His face went pale. Not with joy, but with a dismay that cut her to the core.

"Oh, God, Sarah," he whispered. "This... this is not good."

"Not good?"

"My grandparents," he stammered. "They just found out Brittany is pregnant again. They're... they're ecstatic. They said this third grandchild from Brittany will solidify the new business merger."

A third grandchild. From Brittany.

Sarah's tiny spark of hope died.

Ethan looked at her, his eyes pleading for understanding she couldn't give.

"This complicates everything," he said.