01.

Reily’s POV

I sat coldly in the doctor's office, my hands clasped tightly together in my lap.

The doctor, a kind-faced man with a gentle smile, looked at me with excitement.

"Mrs. Wilson I have some great news to share with you," he said, his voice soft and gentle.

“Yes?”

"You're pregnant."

I felt a wave of emotions wash over me, but I couldn't quite process them. I was happy, I thought, happy about the baby growing inside me.

But at the same time, I was sad and angry, my mind consumed by thoughts of my husband, Asher, or should I say soon-to-be ex-husband.

I am my husband's childhood sweetheart. He never failed to pursue me for two long decades.

He loved me like I was his life and cherished me deeply.

I had trust issues, especially when it came to men, maybe because my dad dumped my mother when she was diagnosed with last-stage colon cancer like she wasn’t the woman that worshipped him.

I have adaptation issues.

Asher has been there for me ever since until a month ago when I caught him in bed with Amber, his assistant.

I had been pretending to be oblivious of the situation maybe until I was done erasing every trace of me and my existence.

I did warn him, cheat on me once and we’re done… Forever.

I thanked the doctor, trying to sound calm and composed, but inside, I was a mess.

I walked out of the office, my mind reeling with thoughts and emotions.

As I walked to my car, I pulled out my phone to check my social media accounts. And that's when I saw it—a post from Asher and Amber.

He had posted a picture of Amber. She was wearing nothing but lace lingerie, leaning into his chest while we took a selfie. His hand was resting on her bare, and slightly unnoticeable bump.

But it wasn’t just the bump that my eyes had caught the attention of, but the ring on Amber’s finger.

It is the same wedding ring as mine. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as reality yet again hit me.

I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes as I looked at the picture. I couldn't believe that my three-year marriage was a lie, that my husband was cheating on me with his assistant.

Right there and then, I knew it was time to take the next step.

I wiped the lone tear that slipped, starting the engine.

I parked in front of Leo’s penthouse, got out of the car, and marched to the entrance.

Leo is my maternal uncle, the only family I have left, and the one person I could turn to when things go sideways.

So here I was.

We exchanged pleasantries before settling down.

“Riley, are you sure you want to cancel your ID, passport, everything? It's going to be a real pain in the ass if you ever need to get them back. It'll be like... you won't even exist anymore." He reasons, but I have already made up my mind.

Leo kept trying to talk me out of it, but I didn't even hesitate. I slid the forms over to him.

"That's the point. I need to disappear so I can start over. There is nothing left to hold on to."

I knew how much Asher loved me—or at least how much he used to.

He wouldn't stop until he found me, not unless I erased every single part of my existence.

When he finally realises his mistake, I want him to live with the guilt for the rest of his life knowing I am gone forever and there is no way he is going to find me.

Reily Wilson had to cease to exist.

My mind was already made.

After finishing all the paperwork, I went home and pulled out my phone to double-check my escape plan.

I settled back into the car, pulling out my phone and taking a look at the photo Asher posted.

My heart squeezed.

I commented, “Congratulations.”

Discarding the phone, but immediately my phone began to ring.

It was Amber.

She apologised, claiming she posted the picture to get back at her boyfriend after a fight.

But I heard Asher from the distant end; it came out more as a whisper, “She can’t have a baby, and she is losing it seeing someone else pregnant." So much envy, I could smell."

Amber giggled.

And then the line went dead.

I clutched the phone, my heart clenching.

I was so done with Asher.

My hands reached my bump.

The baby… what about it?

What was I going to do with the baby now? I didn’t want to be bound to Asher anymore; my heart bled too much to hold on to him.

As I got home, the fresh smell of bacon hit my nostrils.

My absolute favourite, and he knew.

It didn't matter that he was this billionaire CEO. He still insisted on cooking for me every single day like a loyal husband.

But even the perfect husband can be tempted to cheat on his wife.

When he heard the door open, he casually wiped his hands on the apron he was wearing. He walked over and planted a kiss on my forehead.

The scent of his body wash hit me first, warm and familiar. But then there was something else—something sharp, light, and floral.

Not mine.

My heart felt like it dropped a little lower, and my gaze turned cold.

"Why are you back so late, baby? And why did you send the driver offer? You know I don’t like you stressing.”

He crouched down, and before I could react, he was already slipping off my shoes and swapping them for slippers.

His hands paused when they touched my toes—cold as ice—and instinctively, he cupped them in his palms, warming them up.

I used to feel something in sweet moments like this.

Warmth.

Delight.

But now?

Nothing.

"Yeah, I know. I just wanted to be alone… clear out my head”

When he was sure my feet were warm, he slid the slippers on and straightened up.

"Guess what I got you this month," he whispered, leaning in with a playful smile like it was some big surprise.

But I didn't even blink, just answered, "A necklace brand."

Because, of course, he wasn't the kind of guy who just bought gifts.

He bought brands.

Thanks to his frequent so-called "surprises," I now owned stakes in at least a hundred companies.

If I'd lingered a second too long on some ad or product, contracts just showed up the next day.

Last time, it was a necklace.

He chuckled, all amused, and flicked my nose like I was some kid he adored.

Cheater.

“I love you—“

Then his phone rang, cutting off the moment.

I was glad the call came through; that way I didn’t have to say it back.