Chapter One

Staring at my father's tombstone, a wave of emotions washed over me. Tears flowed down my cheeks like a running faucet. I didn't even try to wipe them away; maybe I needed to let them flow to accept the reality that my dad wouldn't come back to me.

I cried uncontrollably, just like a little child who lost their favorite candy. When I finally felt like speaking, I took out my fine linen handkerchief to dry my tears.

Squatting down, I touched the tombstone, reminiscing about how empty I had felt in the two years since my dad had left me. It was as if life was a desert without water.

The place had been utterly silent, and then I heard a sound that sent a shiver of fear through me, fearing that perhaps a deceased soul had stirred. My gaze darted around anxiously until I saw birds taking flight. It dawned on me that the silence had been shattered by the cheerful chirping of birds, completely indifferent to my worries.

Even though it was the afternoon, the chill of winter was in the air.

Reaching out, I touched the name engraved on the tombstone, and once again, emotions overwhelmed me. Tears flowed from my eyes, wetting my cheeks. I used my already damp handkerchief to wipe them away.

"Dad, I miss you so much. If I had known you wouldn't be with me for long, I would have been a better daughter to you. Life hasn't been the same since you left me..."

I couldn't continue with the next words; they got stuck in my throat until I calmed down a bit. Finally, I said the words I had been telling him since I started visiting his grave.

"Dad, I miss you, and if I could bring you back to me, I surely would. And Dad, you might be surprised to know that Williams, the man you didn't approve of, has been there for me as my husband and a father figure. He takes care of our family and our business; he's such a good husband, Dad."

Saying this, I couldn't help but smile, remembering how my dad had opposed my marriage to Williams, thinking he was just another man after a wealthy man's daughter.

I gently placed the flower in my hand on the tomb and stared at it, feeling a deep sadness as if I expected my dad to respond to my playful gesture, just like he used to when he was alive. After a moment, I stood up and bid my farewell, turning to walk back to the car parked nearby.

"What is he doing here?" I couldn't hide the anger welling up inside me. It bothered me that my husband's secretary was a man, yet he made me feel jealous of his closeness to my husband.

Can I really be blamed? Every time his presence lingered around him, even at home, he would always call, checking on my husband if he is okay.

Seeing his hand on my husband's tie, helping him to re-knot it makes my blood run crazily.

Did it mean I, his wife, didn't do it nicely?

"How dare you try to re-knot my husband's tie?" I yelled inwardly, but I couldn't bring myself to say it loud; it can make people see me as a crazy wife, knowing my husband's secretary is a man.

People would think I'm crazy if they found out that I'm jealous of my husband's secretary, who happens to be a man.

"Williams," I tried calming down my temper and called my husband's name as gently as I could, but still, Williams being the best man for my heart, and as soon as he heard my voice, he sensed my annoyance.

Without any further words, he removed his secretary's hand and started explaining his sudden visit to my father's cemetery, explaining that there is a man they have been aiming to sign a contract with. It seems the man is back in town and will be flying out tomorrow, and they need to go and see him now.

Although I cared about the company's success, still, I also cherished my own happiness and couldn't allow the company to come between us.

"Darling, he's here because I didn't answer his calls. I didn't want a repeat of what happened last year, so I ignored his calls," Williams explained further.

I had told him that on my dad's remembrance day, I needed him by my side the entire day, no meetings, no office, something he had broken last year but I wouldn't allow it this year.

"So?" I said trying to remain calm, but I could tell from his hesitation that last year's issue was about to repeat itself this year.

Anger welled up in me, and I didn't give him a chance to explain any further. I stormed into the car, ready to start the engine when he knocked on the door.

I wanted to ignore him and drive away, but I didn't want to embarrass my husband further in front of his secretary, so reluctantly I rolled down the window to hear his flimsy excuse.

"Honey?" He called, looking at me and trying to make out how I'm feeling.

"I don't think I will be able to stay at home with you today as I promised. Please, I'm sorry. I need to meet with the man before he flies out tomorrow. Please, just this once, and I promise it won't repeat itself again. I promise to make it up to you when I get back," Williams said, but it didn't ease my anger, nor did it stop the pain of feeling that he valued the company more than me, especially knowing he would always do it again and again.

Although I totally understand my husband, I know he's working hard because of our future, and I love him more for that. Ever since I lost my dad, I just couldn't bring myself to go back to the same company my father has been running for years and not see him there. Everything just feels void without him.

But my husband, Williams, has been the one managing the company in my stead, and he's doing a good job. Still, it pains me to know he always breaks his promises nowadays because he takes the company as a priority.

"There's no problem," I replied curtly, closing the door and driving away, knowing that his secretary would arrange another car for them. It might seem childish, but I couldn't bear the feeling that the company was more important to him than I am.

Arr Arrr"

My phone buzzed. I tried stretching my head to see the incoming message. Just then, Rose's message popped on my phone, asking the outcome of the test. The anxiety twisted my stomach into knots as I read her words.

It suddenly dawned on me why I wanted Williams to stay with me today. I had hoped he would accompany me to the hospital for a pregnancy test. We've been married for five years now, and the absence of a positive result had been a persistent source of concern. Although William consistently reassured me, I couldn't shake off the fear that something might be wrong.

Instantly, I made a U-turn towards the hospital, even though the prospect of another negative result scared me. The fear of exhibiting pregnancy symptoms only to be met with disappointment haunted me.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Williams. This time it's not your body mimicking pregnancy symptoms; you are indeed two weeks pregnant."

For twenty seconds, I couldn't close my gaping mouth, rendered momentarily speechless.

"Does this mean I'm pregnant?" I managed to ask the doctor once my voice returned.

"Yes, Mrs. Williams," he replied, offering his congratulations. I clasped his hand in acknowledgment, relief washing over me.

Without wasting a moment, I snatched the test results, leaving the hospital in a rush. I couldn't wait to share the good news with Williams, even though I hesitated not wanting to disturb his meeting. The anticipation of his reaction overpowered my restraint.

As I navigated through the crowd, someone collided with me, causing me to stumble.

"Are you blind?" the person snapped, indifferent to my struggle. I looked up, only to see a woman tearing up pregnancy results.

"What are you doing?" I questioned in a tearful voice. The woman seemed impervious to my concerns, continuing her onslaught of abusive words. Just as I was poised to unleash my frustration, a nurse rushed out from the hospital.

"Please, ma, I'm so sorry. She lost her pregnancy, and ever since then, she has been suffering from mental illness," the nurse explained, leading her away.

The encounter left me with an unsettling sense of foreboding. Instinctively, I placed my hand on my stomach, whispering affirmations of protection.

"I won't lose you," I declared until I hopped into the car. Dialing Williams five times, he didn't pick up.

"What am I going to do?" I pondered. The encounter with the disturbed woman had left me shaken. Unable to return home and with Rose at work, the only viable option was to head back to the company, a place steeped in memories of my father. Reluctantly, I decided to wait for Williams in the office until his return from the meeting.

Surprisingly, I found Williams' car in the office just as I entered, sparking a fleeting sense of happiness. At last, I thought, I would have someone to share my fears and joys with, especially since the unsettling encounter with the disturbed woman had left me rattled.

Entering the secretary's cubicle, I was dismayed not to find him there. Irritation simmered within me, but with no other option, I walked straight into my husband's office.

As I drew closer, I heard unsettling sounds, phrases that sent shivers down my spine. "Your anus is always right for my penetration," echoed from my husband's office. 

The confusion was palpable; two male voices emanated from within, a revelation that felt like an abomination I was not meant to witness.

"Williams," my voice cracked as I saw him engaged in an abomination with his secretary, penetrating him through the anus and pressing him against the wall.