CHAPTER 1

CATHERINE ...

On the ground of Reinford's family church, A great lunch banquet was held in the respect of Grandpa Reinford. His last wish was to arrange a get-together instead of a funeral.

The host was Edward Reinford, my husband. Standing across the room he was immersed in the conversation with his childhood friend, Regina. My mother-in-law beside them, was grinning. Well, she's the daughter-in-law she'd rather have and never missed a chance to bring them closer.

However, my insecurity never flared because work is all Edward understands. One would barely find him talking differently. Even now, I know the words between them were strictly business. Though I won't lie about being envious of her sometimes.

Specially, at times like this moment, when I have to suppress the huge news of my pregnancy. Merely an hour old news and I am running out of patience already.

"Why not merge yourself in a useful conversation rather than being a trophy wife?" A harsh word broke my trance, as my hand slipped from my belly. Aunt Meril came beside me. "It's beyond your reach, at least try to act one for the sake of Reinford's status!"

"Yes, Aunt Meril," I said. Stealing glances of my husband, I walked toward our family gathering. Honestly, I am self-conscious about fitting in this posh banquet and my in-laws' attitude toward me successfully lowered my self-esteem.

Apart from Grandpa Reinford and one or two members of this family, hardly anyone likes me around. After all, I Don't belong to their status. Or so they think.

Unfortunate, but today is our second marriage anniversary. Although no one but May, my sister-in-law wished me. As usual, my husband didn't.

Did he forget again? I unconsciously touched my flat belly again at the thought. He might forget but I have a gift for him with a hope that this might change his attitude toward me.

Eyeing my husband I stepped a foot forward. Suddenly, "Ogh!" I gasped, looking at the mess on the floor I made stumbling upon a waiter, serving drinks.

"I am so sorry ma'am, I didn't..." The waiter panicked, trying to apologize, when,

"What the hell!?" Danielle, my mother-in-law's voice chimed in, earning all attention back and forth.

"I... I am sorry, I didn't mean to..." It's my turn to apologise.

"Sorry? Catherine, do you have any conscience? How could you be so careless!?" Danielle yelped at me, enraged and I lowered my head helplessly.

All eyes are on me at the moment and this is so embarrassing as the host's wife! Shit!

"I don't understand why Dad even bothered with a lower class like you!? This is so disturbing!" Her words lowered my head in shame. Could feel mocking eyes and a few smirks at me, as if they were expecting this nasty scene.

This is something I shouldn't have to put up with, still, I am willing for my loved ones. I don't wanna ruin the environment in Grandpa's last wish.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look up at my husband either. He planned all of it and I just poured water on his hard work. What would he think of me?

"I- I am sorry..." I apologised again.

"You...!"

"Enough Mom." Edward stepped in, stopping his mother and turning everything silent with his commanding voice. He came to me. I finally looked up.

"Are you alright?" Edward asked. Although I failed to find the warmth in his bronze-gold gaze, I felt warm in my heart.

"Yes..." Slowly nodded.

He only stared deep into my eyes before turning to the crowd, "Sorry for the inconvenience guys, My wife is not feeling good. Please enjoy and excuse us for the moment." He held my hand and we walked out of the hall room.

Before going out, I got a quick glance at my mother-in-law who was complaining about her sorrows to Regina.

Entering the main mansion and out of eyes, he let go of my hand, emptying my soul immediately. "Go back to the room and change before joining me in the study." Saying, he left without turning once.

*********

Ten minutes later, I knocked on the study door and entered. He hardly asked me in his office. This might be important. Honestly, I have a tinge of hope for him to prepare a surprise for our marriage anniversary. Also, I need to give my gift to him.

I smiled to myself before caressing my belly. My eager eyes found him. He was standing in front of the window with one hand pressing the mobile on his ear.

"Did all the guests leave?" His cold, deep tone rang in my ear as I stood beside his desk.

"All right, send mom and dad home... Be careful, Dad just recovered from surgery." He warned again, then paused for a concise moment.

Maybe it's May on the opposite side.

"Ask them not to worry, I will split the broken shares accordingly." A touch of assurance in his tone.

However, his concern scares me. My eyes lingered on his rigid back. Grandpa's death has sent the entire Reinford family in drear.

He was the essence of the Reinfords family bond, gripping everyone together firmly. With his demise, all eyes had expectedly turned to their only heir, my husband. Which already increased the workload on him.

Sometimes I couldn't believe that this man, who was distant and never loved anything but work, had managed to crawl into my closed heart in his cold way.

"Alright, I will call later..." He muttered, piercing my thoughts and hung up. Keeping his back toward me, he stood before the closed window and looked out.

I wondered what was going on in his mind, probably nothing pleasant by his gloomy temperament.

Taking a step closer, I tilted my head at him. "Edward?"

"Hmm..." He seemed absentminded, so out of his character. Slowly, I touched his shoulder, trying to assure my unyielding support.

However, he turned away, walking toward his desk. My heart churned, yet I held my desire to hug him.

"I have taken a decision, Catherine." He picked up a brown envelope from his desk. He returned to his usual no-nonsense and direct business talk.

"What's this?" I asked, suddenly excited to learn if it was any surprise, though an uncertain fear routed in me.

"I have filed a divorce agreement for us."

.......... Blank, I stared up at him, and blinked, mind thrusted into a hollow space. Possibly, I heard wrong. He did not pronounce that word.

"Ma-maybe, I heard it wr-ong..." Come on Cathe why are your tone trembling? You're just too caught up in the moment...

"No, you didn't. I want a divorce, Catherine." He stated. His words were cold and firm, stabbing my heart.

I blinked my tears, fighting them and desperately searching for the humour in his eyes, but they only tormented me.

Gulping the lump, I sucked in a deep breath, "Wh-y? Wh-at did I do wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong, Catherine. I never wanted this marriage."

His words burned inside me. Never wanted this marriage?!

"B-but you agreed then..."

"Yes, I did. Grandpa was the reason." There was no change in his tone. No hesitance. "I Don't like wasting time on trivial matters like marriage and romance. Sex could be found anywhere and if you ask about an heir, there is also a process except marriage. But Grandpa was obstinate and staid about you in his old-fashioned way. Now, he is gone and I don't find it necessary to continuation of this act."

I stood there, blank. I had no thoughts at the moment. Cleaving my soul with his words, made my heart a bloodied mess.

"E-dward..." I tried to touch him, but he stepped back.

"It's my sole decision, Catherine. I have prepared a good amount of alimony so you won't suffer for the rest of your life. Think of this as compensation." He walked toward the door before turning to me again, "Hopefully, this will end in a peaceful way." The cold warning made me imbalanced as my back hit the desk.

And, he was gone. Crushing my heart like an old paper, he walked away.

Two years, I have given my everything to him and tried my hardest to be a good wife. Whenever he came to me, I felt maybe somewhere in heart he accepted my existence in his life. However, it turned out to be the delusion of my mind and the biggest surprise of our wedding anniversary one could hardly imagine.

All this time, he acted to be a husband. He only used me as a tool to derive his sexual needs. What's the difference between me and a random bed warmer then? Only the name of his wife?

My tears slipped finally. My breath was heavy, suffocating. My heart was in anguish no one could understand. And... I touched my belly, what will happen to our child?

This can't be the end. I stood straight. I have worked hard all my life and never gave up. How could I give up just like this? Two years beside him and his heart never softened? I don't believe this!

I would try. If not once then many more times. I would tell him about the baby and I'm sure he would rethink!

Throwing the unopened envelope on the desk, I rushed out of the study. I need to find him and confront him. How could he just dismiss me like that? I am not a business project!

My eyes did not notice anything else but busy searching for my husband. As soon as I reached the staircase, suddenly I was pulled back by a firm grip.

"Where are you going?" Regina hissed at me.