Chapter 1: A Chaotic Gala

June

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my dress down for what felt like the hundredth time, wondering if I looked the part of a supportive wife at a business event. Lucas had been vague about the guest list, but I knew how important tonight was for him, so I promised myself to try and blend in. It wasn’t often that I attended his work events; he never invited me. But tonight, I insisted. I felt like just a fool being used only at convience.

The door behind me opened, and I caught his reflection in the mirror as he stepped inside, adjusting his tie with his usual smooth, detached demeanor. “You don’t have to force yourself to come tonight,” he said, his voice steady but cold. “This isn’t really your thing. It would be best if you stayed at home.”

“I want to be there,” I replied softly, turning to face him. “I want to support you, Lucas.” those words coming from me sounded like i was pleading to stand behind him. Hasn't it been what I have been doing for the longest time. He barely noticed me every time that I tried to be part of his business. It felt like we were both roommates who shared every big house.

After my words echoed, he barely glanced at me, his attention already back on his phone. “It’s not like you’ll fit in. This is a high-level business crowd, not really your space. And I know you wouldn’t like the people anyway. You don't have to pretend that you like every bit of this.”

His words felt like a slap to my face. I tried to mask the pain, swallowing hard. “I’ll find you if I need anything,” I mumbled, even though disappointment was already settling in my chest. I’d just wanted to be a part of his life, to show him I cared about his world. Then it seemed that however I tried, there was something I was doing wrong. I didn't know if there was a right way to doing things but I was actually doing my best. Then, the door got shut at my face at every turn I get.

Lucas shrugged, barely acknowledging my response. “Fine. Just don’t get in the way.”

I watched him leave the room, his dismissiveness cutting deeper than I’d let him know. I took a shaky breath, trying to push down the rising feelings of not being enough. I was his wife, after all. I had every right to be there with him, even if I didn’t understand every detail of his work. He doesn't know the intricate details of my world but yet I didn't make him feel the hell I was feeling.

When we arrived at the event, Lucas quickly slipped away, mingling with people he seemed to know intimately. I hovered by the bar, nursing a glass of champagne and watching him talk to businessmen, laughing and charming his way through the crowd like I was invisible. I tried to stay positive, but the longer I stood there, the more out of place I felt. He was right this was indeed a foreign place to me and everything stood out.

Then, I noticed her.

She was standing close to Lucas, her arm brushing against his as she laughed at something he said. It felt weird but there was something about her that seemed off. I watched as she leaned in closer, whispering something in his ear. He didn’t pull away. In fact, he seemed to enjoy her closeness.

My stomach twisted painfully, a familiar feeling of jealousy and insecurity washing over me. I have never known about her before. I didn't know if she was his business partner, I had never seen that face near him before, neither had he mentioned it. But seeing them like this, so close, in front of everyone… it felt like a betrayal.

As I stood there, trying to compose myself, I overheard two men nearby talking. “Is that his wife?” one of them asked, nodding toward the lady.

My heart tightened. I couldn’t take it anymore. I walked over, forcing a smile as I introduced myself. “No, I’m his wife. June.”

The men exchanged awkward glances. One of them cleared his throat and looked over at Lucas. “Oh, I thought he mentioned you were on a business trip or something.”

My smile faltered. “No… I’m here.”

The lady stepped in before I could say more, her smile polite but condescending. “It’s not a big deal. People make mistakes. Besides, this is more of a business thing. You know how these events are.”

Lucas didn’t correct them. He didn’t even look at me. The businessmen, the lady, even my own husband — they all made me feel like I didn’t belong. Like I was an outsider in my own life. I was the one that was supposed to hold on to him like she was doing it he couldn't bring himself to look at me.

I tried to hold onto some thread of dignity, but when one of the businessmen turned to Lucas and said, “What’s a nurse doing at a business meeting anyway?” something inside me snapped.

I was about to speak up, to defend myself, when Lucas grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the group. His grip was firm, and his face was a mask of frustration. “Don’t embarrass me,” he hissed under his breath, his voice dripping with annoyance.

I blinked, stunned. “Embarrass you? Lucas, they were—”

“This is exactly why I don’t bring you to these things,” he cut me off. “You don’t understand how to behave in these settings. You’re out of your depth.”

My chest tightened, the words stinging more than I expected. “You… you prefer her, don’t you?”

“Her name is Kyra and she is my very close friend. You don't have to make a fuss about that too. There is not an issue here.”

“What the hell do you mean?”

Lucas didn’t respond immediately, his silence louder than anything he could have said. Finally, he let go of my arm, his expression hard. “Let’s just get through tonight without any more drama.”

I watched him walk away, disappearing into the crowd with Kyra close behind. My heart ached, the pain of his rejection sharper than I could bear. I wasn’t sure how long I stood there, watching them from the sidelines, but eventually, I made my way to the bar, needing something — anything — to dull the pain.

I ordered a drink, even though I knew I shouldn’t. My pregnancy was still a secret, one I hadn’t even had the chance to tell Lucas yet. But tonight, it felt like nothing mattered. Not to him. Not to anyone.

As I sat there, staring into my glass, Kyra appeared by my side, her presence immediately putting me on edge. She smiled, but it wasn’t a kind smile. It was the smile of someone who knew they had the upper hand. “Rough night?”

I didn’t respond, gripping my glass tighter.

She continued, unfazed. “You know, Lucas and I… we’ve spent a lot of time together since we were growing up. We understand each other in ways… well, in ways you probably wouldn’t get.”

I clenched my jaw, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. “You also don’t know anything about my relationship with Lucas.”

Her smile widened, a predatory glint in her eyes. “I know more than you think. Like how he needs someone who can keep up with him, who understands the demands of his life. Not someone… distracted by other things. Too focused on other things to give him the attention he needs.”

I knew she was referring to my career, to the fact that I was a nurse, not someone in the business world. It was more painful, more than anything, but I wouldn’t let her see that. “Lucas is my husband. I’m not going anywhere.”

Kyra leaned in, her voice a low, dangerous whisper. “Maybe not now. But eventually, you’ll realize you can’t hold onto something that was never really yours.”

I felt sick to my stomach. Everything in me wanted to scream at her, to throw my drink in her face, but I couldn’t. Not here, not now. Not when Lucas had made it clear how little he wanted me involved in his life.

Kyra gave me one last smirk before walking away, leaving me alone at the bar with nothing but my broken heart.

*

As the evening dragged on, the party started to wind down. I had no idea where Lucas had gone, but I knew I couldn’t stay any longer. I felt like a ghost, like I was haunting the edges of a life that was no longer mine.

I went to find him, hoping we could leave together, maybe talk on the way home. But as I approached, I saw him standing by the entrance, his phone to his ear. I was close enough to see the name flashing on his screen.

Kyra.

My heart dropped. I walked up to him, swallowing my pride. “Lucas, can we go home? I’m tired.”

He barely glanced at me before turning back to his phone. “I have a plane to catch,” he said dismissively, his voice void of any emotion. “Kyra and I need to fly out for a meeting tomorrow.”

I blinked, the words not quite registering. “You’re leaving? Tonight?”

He nodded, already turning away from me, like I didn’t exist. “We have work to do. I’ll be back in a few days.”

I watched in stunned silence as he walked outside, Kyra trailing after him. They got into the back of a car together, and just like that, they were gone.

I stood there, frozen, as the weight of everything came crashing down on me. I had planned on telling him about the baby tonight, had even pictured how relieved I would feel once it was out in the open. But now… now I didn’t know if he even cared.

My birthday was tomorrow, and all I had was a red box with the pregnancy test results and a husband who didn’t even seem to notice I existed anymore.

Tears filled my eyes, but I held them back, standing alone in the cold night air, wondering when it had all gone so wrong.