Chapter 0001

*** Sydney ***

“Congratulations, Mrs Talker. You are eight weeks pregnant,” Doctor Choi announced to me.

My eyes widen in surprise and my mouth drops open, this is not the news I was expecting to hear but it brought warmth to my heart to know of this. I have been experiencing weird symptoms for weeks now - tiredness, morning sickness, sharp pains in my stomach and even throwing up a few times. Confirming that all of the symptoms are a result of pregnancy, I feel better than before.

“Hello? Mrs Talker, are you okay?” The doctor asked me.

I snapped out of my immense thoughts and looked up at him, my lips curved in a smile. “I’m perfectly fine, doctor,” I reply calmly but deep inside my heart, it’s pounding and ready to explode at any time.

The news of my pregnancy is going to shock everyone, especially Andrea Talker, my rude mother-in-law who thinks that I’m infertile. I don’t know why she never liked me but ever since I got married to Aiden Talker, my life has been nothing a nightmare in that mansion. Plus not having a child for three years added to my dilemma with my mother-in-law. I am glad that it is all over now.

“Here are some safe drugs that I recommend for you to be taking daily,” he said and wrote down the prescription that he handed out to me.

“Thank you so much for your help,” I said and left his office.

On my way home, I stop by a gift shop and buy a small box to package the test results. This will be my anniversary gift for my husband.

Yes.

Tonight is the anniversary of the third year of our marriage. Aiden and I met when I was working as a waitress in a bar lounge. I had accidentally spilled some drinks on him and was on the verge of being fired but he intervened and saved me. We exchanged numbers and inexplicable romance kicked off.

After dating for a couple of months, Aiden proposed to me and I accepted. But when I met his family for the first time, I realized that the rosy life I dreamed of in my marriage was never going to happen. From his crazy younger sister to his cold cousin brother then down to his harsh mother, life displayed a series of events to me for three years. All I had to hold on to was Aiden and Joyceline who was my best friend.

My phone rang, jerking me out of my thoughts again. It is Joyceline, my best friend.

“Hi, Joyce,” I said excitedly.

“Hi, Sydney. What’s up?” Joyce asked me.

“I’m good and excited,” I shriek.

“I know right? Your anniversary is tonight and I know you can’t wait to get it over with,” Joyce said and I laughed.

“Yes and also I’m …”

As I’m about to tell Joyceline the news about my pregnancy when the car bumps into a gallop, my phone falls off my hand and I hit my head by the door side.

“Can you be any more careful than that!” I scold the driver.

“Sorry, ma’am,” the driver apologized.

I sigh and pick up my phone. “Hello, Joyce. Are you still there?” I asked but got no response from her.

Angry, I end the call. Although I am not angry at Joyceline but the driver for his recklessness. Unknowingly, I place my hands on my lower abdomen. There is a little living being in there that I have to protect.

Don’t worry, baby. Mommy will love and cherish you with her heart, she will protect you at all costs… I say in my mind.

The car drives into the mansion of the Talker family. It is a gigantic family house and I never liked my stay in it one bit. Coming back here reminds me of what I’ve been through at the hands of my family members. A nightmare that has never stopped haunting me.

As I walk into the house, Joyceline rushes towards me and hugs me tightly. I sigh in relief that my best friend is here to support me, I love her and trust her.

“I had to come here early because I want to see you get ready for the party tonight,” Joyce said with a smiles on her face.

“Thank you. Your presence will minimize my nervousness tonight,” I reply.

“Let me carry your bag for you,” she now says and attempts to take my bag from me.

Remembering the gift box inside, I decline immediately. “No, thank you,” I say.

Joyceline eyes me peculiarly but says nothing. I’m pretty sure that a while ago, I wanted to tell my best friend about my pregnancy but now, I feel like she should be a part of the surprise announcement that I’m going to make tonight.

Aiden comes downstairs with a glass of wine in his hands. His eyes are placed on Joyceline but I simply ignore them, the news of my pregnancy is more important to me than anything else.

“Have some wine, babe,” Aiden says to me.

“Thanks but no, babe,” I reply. I feel like the last part where I called him babe came out forcefully and it was obvious.

Aiden raised his eyebrows to look at me, surprised because this was the first time I was refusing to take something from him. It was unlike me but I have to be cautious because of my baby, it’s fragile and can get hurt easily.

“Are you okay?” Aiden asked.

“I’m fine. I’m just a little bit nervous about tonight,” I respond.

Aiden hugs me. “Relax,” he said, “Everything will be perfect.”

That reassurance alone calms my nerves, although it’s been weeks since we made love to each other. At times, I feel like he’s purposely trying to avoid me, and other times I feel like he’s just too busy to talk to me. However, in everything, I can’t wait to get over this tonight.

Joyceline drags me away from Aiden. “Okay, lovebirds. It’s time for the ladies to be alone and arrange themselves for tonight!” She said.

“See you tonight,” Aiden said.

Somehow, I feel insecure about my husband’s behavior around my best friend. But then like I said before, I trust Joyceline and I know what she can and can’t do.

“Are you having any issues with Aiden?” Joyceline asked me when we entered my room.

I chuckle lightly, “Not at all.”

“Why did you refuse the drink he offered?” She asked again.

Okay, my best friend’s inquisitive behavior is beginning to turn me off. But it would be wrong if I snub her on purpose.

I sigh and reply to her, “No reason.”

Joyceline nods but says nothing more. The rest of the day is spent on our daily gossip about our lives. The awaited night came and the professionals who were hired to dress me up for the anniversary arrived. I sit down and relax while I’m made up and my blonde hair is styled in a bun, the costume suits me perfectly. Joyceline is dressed up too but when she comes out to show me her outfit, my face clouds a bit. The dress was too revealing for my liking.

“How do you see it?” She asked.

“It’s…” I half myself and process the words I’m about to say before saying it. I don’t want to hurt her feelings by saying something bad about her outfit, it’s obvious that she likes it. “Beautiful,” I complete my sentence forcefully, faking a smile at the same time.

Joyceline giggles excitedly, “Thank you!”

The long-awaited time arrived and Joyceline led me to the huge field in front of the house which was where the party was being held. The gift box is inside my purse patiently waiting to be announced later.

“Let’s have a drink!” Joyceline said to me.

“I don’t want to drink tonight,” I decline.

“Why? Don’t you want to be high when you and Aiden have a wonderful time in his bed tonight?” Joyceline asked.

I nearly glare at her for saying something that should be personal to me. “I don’t want to be high tonight,” I simply say and walk away to greet other guests.

The worst moment is when Jessica Talker approaches me with her mother, Andrea Talker. My in-laws are the last people I want to see that night.

“Greetings, sister-in-law,” Jessica greets in a mocking tone.

“Good evening and thank you for organizing this party in my place,” I said.

“We wouldn’t have done it if not for Aiden and his excessive nagging,” Andrea retorted.

I sigh, knowing fully well that our conversation is never going to end peacefully. Unfortunately, they always get on my nerves whenever we clash like this.

“I don’t want your trouble tonight,” I simply say to them. I turn around to leave but Jessica drags me back, I almost fall on my feet but manage to hold myself back.

“Who said that you can walk away when we are still discussing?” Jessica asked.

“There is nothing more for us to talk about,” I said with tears brimming in my eyes.

“Oh darling, we have a lot to talk about,” Andrea said.

“What else?” I asked.

“Let’s talk about how you married my brother for three years and had no child or any signs of it!” Jessica snapped.

“Why are you complaining about it when the results say that we are both productive?” I asked angrily. Their attitude is getting on my nerves and I’m irritated by their nosiness.

“Productive, you say. What’s so productive about being childless for three years!” Andrea scolded me.

“As far as I know, Aiden is not bothered by it so knock it off,” I said. After all, it’s only a matter of hours before I announce my big surprise to all of them.

“You may have blinded Aiden with whatever but not us. You’ll be kicked out of the house very soon and you’ll return to the slumps where you come from!” Jessica yelled.

Those words scar my heart. Tears drop from my eyes and I run to my bedroom before the other guests will see my face. Why does it always have to be this hard for me? Why can’t they be patient with me and let me shine in my own time?

Andrea and Jessica have always treated me like I never existed before. What I did wrong is what I keep asking myself. Was marrying Aiden the price I had to pay for this kind of fate? I only yearn for true love and happiness and all they ever do is deprive me of it.

I brought out the gift box that contained the news of my pregnancy results. This is the key to unlocking a new kind of life in this house and it’s about time I announced to everyone. Nothing is sweeter than face-slapping them tonight.

I calm myself down, holding tight to the gift box. This is truly my moment to shine. I step out of my room but stop in my tracks when I hear a moaning noise that is coming from Aiden’s room.

Aiden’s room is opposite my room and the door is unlocked. Curious, I open the door slightly, and what I see shocks me to the core. It is something that I have dreaded to see ever since I noticed the change in my husband’s behavior. Something I would never have believed if someone else had told me about this.

Aiden and Joyceline are both naked on the bed, their bodies are entwined in a steamy lovemaking with Joyceline riding him like a cowgirl on a horse.

This is the worst betrayal ever!