Page 50 of Keeping Skylar (Fractured Hearts #1)

“You see, that’s the thing,” Mila says with a smirk. “Turns out our dear old friend Lucia was hiding a pretty big secret from Kaden, one that’s just blown their whole relationship to smithereens.”

I let out a sharp exhale, clearly not wanting to be dragged into this conversation.

As I glance around the table, I notice everyone has fallen silent, their eyes flickering between me and my sister.

I offer a dismissive shrug, making it clear I have no interest in revisiting one of the worst times of my life.

“Mila, I honestly couldn’t care less about what happens in their relationship. He’s no longer—”

“The baby isn’t Kaden’s!” my sister blurts out loud, cutting me off mid-sentence.

My jaw drops, eyes widening in complete shock. Around the table, I hear a chorus of sharp intakes of breath, hushed whispers, and a few stifled gasps as the news sinks in. Even Heath turns to Mila, his expression mirroring the same disbelief etched across everyone else’s face.

After a long pause, Mila continues. “Jason told me that not long after Kaden moved in with Lucia, she began another illicit affair with a new male teacher at the school. And get this—the guy was married ... with a kid. I swear, that woman destroys more relationships than a Category 4 cyclone wrecks buildings.” She shakes her head in disgust.

“How did Kaden find out?” The question comes unexpectedly from Heath, making everyone turn in his direction.

“He discovered the text messages on her phone while she was in the shower one night. It turned out that Lucia’s ‘lover boy’ was listed under a pseudonym in her contacts. Addie was actually some guy named Adrian .”

Oh, the irony. Who would have thought that Kaden would one day end up in the same position I found myself in a year and a half ago?

I guess karma finally delivered. Not that I’m taking any joy in his pain or grief, I wouldn’t wish something like that on my worst enemy, but he has to know, he had it coming.

Mila goes on, “Kaden hired Jason’s private investigator friend to follow Lucia, and when it was later confirmed that she was, in fact, having an affair, Kaden confronted her and demanded a paternity test right away.

Unfortunately for him, the results showed that he wasn’t the father of Lucia’s baby girl. ”

“Fuck, that’s brutal,” Nate mutters quietly.

“To cut a long story short, Kaden ended things with Lucia immediately, moved out, and is currently staying with Jason and Jake while he looks for a place of his own. He apparently hasn’t been doing very well.

Jason actually feels sorry for the guy, especially because he had formed such a close bond with the baby, and now, he’s lost her too.

“As for Lucia, she had no choice but to come clean to the biological father. He totally freaked out, though, cut all contact with her, quit his job, and moved his family out of the area. She’s now left to raise the baby on her own, without any support.

Her own parents won’t even help after they discovered she had a baby with a married man.

The last I heard, she had moved to a small country town in the central west to start over, as she could no longer afford to live in the city. ”

“Well, let’s hope she doesn’t end up ruining that child’s life too,” Kirstin chimes in.

I clear my throat, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

“Look, no matter what happens with Kaden or Lucia, I just hope they emerge from this as better people. They’ll both carry regrets with them for the rest of their lives, and that’s punishment enough.

If they refuse to learn from their mistakes, that’s on them.

They deserve whatever karma they’ve earned.

“I decided a long time ago to let go of all the anger and resentment I once held for them. In fact, they no longer take up space in my head anymore. They’re part of the past now, buried in memories I have no intention of revisiting.

From here on out, the only people who truly matter are the ones right here at this table, in this room.

” I glance around, meeting each person’s eyes, and offer a quiet, grateful smile.

Heath reaches for my hand resting in my lap and gives it a gentle squeeze. I turn to him, and he leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. As we pull apart, the waitstaff enters the room and starts clearing out our plates, marking the end of that conversation.

Once the table is cleared, leaving only our drinks, Heath taps the side of his champagne glass a few times, instantly pulling everyone’s focus towards him. Conversations come to an abrupt stop, and all eyes turn towards us. Heath rises to his feet, casting a quick, nervous glance around the room.

“I just want to thank you all for travelling so far to help celebrate Skylar’s birthday with us tonight, and for joining us tomorrow as we spend our last day here at the resort. We’re both excited for the chance to spend some more quality time with everyone in this beautiful place.

“But the real reason I’ve gathered you all here tonight is because I couldn’t pull off this next surprise without having all the people who mean the world to Skylar and me here to share in this special moment.”

Just then, Heath drops to one knee in front of me, and the room fills with gasps and sounds of ‘awe’.

My hands instinctively fly to my mouth. “Oh my God. Heath,” I murmur.

He smiles nervously and takes my hands in his.

“My beautiful Skylar, from the moment you opened your door to me, I knew right then and there that my life was about to change in ways I could never imagine.

It was the beginning of something truly extraordinary.

One look at you, and I knew without a doubt—you were the woman I had been searching for my entire life.

“We came into each other’s lives as roommates, quickly becoming best friends, and now you’re someone I cannot live without.

You’re my everything—my world, my soulmate, my heart.

Your strength has been inspiring, and your unwavering support has been my blessing.

Now, all I want is to spend forever with you by my side, sharing every crazy adventure, every laugh, and every significant moment together.

I promise to spend the rest of my life cherishing you, loving you, and making sure you always feel safe and secure. ”

Heath slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a velvet, navy blue ring box.

As he opens it, my breath catches, and my heart races at the sight of a breathtaking emerald-cut platinum engagement ring.

He takes a deep breath, gently holding my hand, and looks at me with complete devotion in his eyes.

“So, here, surrounded by everyone we love, I ask you—Skylar Eloise Rivera, will you marry me? Will you make me the happiest man in the world and spend the rest of your life with me?”

I’m already nodding like a mad woman before he even finishes his speech. “Yes, I’ll marry you!” I shout eagerly, and the crowd breaks into cheers and fits of laughter.

At one point, I even hear Nate yell out, “Yeah, boy! Lock that mama down!” Earning him an ear flick and a scowl from his wife.

Heath gently places the ring on my finger and leans into me for a deep, passionate kiss that leaves me momentarily breathless. Our families and friends cheer and whistle, filling the air with an abundance of warmth and love I’ll always be grateful for.

Eighteen months ago, my world shattered when I found out about my husband’s affair with my best friend. In that moment, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to trust another man with my heart again.

I had always believed Kaden was my forever, my endgame—the one I would build a life with, and grow old alongside. But fate had other plans. It made me realise that he wasn’t the destination, but the lesson I needed to learn before I could find the one I was truly meant to be with.

In my pursuit of happiness, I met a remarkable man who taught me how to trust and fall in love again. He showed me patience and respect, gifting me with the kind of love that until now, had only existed in my dreams.

Heath mended my fractured heart, gently repairing it piece by piece. And now, I can’t imagine myself with anyone else.

Kaden may have found and captured me first.

But it’s Heath,

... who gets to keep me.