CHAPTER 0003

CELINE’s POV

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“We are not asking for your decision, Celine.” My mother said firmly. “We are only informing you about this matter. The new billionaire we found for you is just waiting for you to divorce Lance and he is ready to marry you right away.”

I feel pain in my eyes and a mass teardrop on both sides of my eyes. An overwhelming sense of fear grips me as I contemplate the actions they might take, knowing that their desires could be advantageous to them in Lance and my situation.

“And I also don’t agree with what you want to happen.” I said with all my voice.

This is the first time I will disobey my parents. I can do almost everything they want but not to divorce my husband.

Maybe Lance doesn’t love me yet, but that for three years, Lance hasn’t brought about divorcing me. I still hope that one day, Lance will love me and we can fix our marriage.

“Don’t be ridiculous with your decision, Celine. We all know that Lance doesn’t love you, so what are you afraid of?” My mom asked and her voice trailed off as if she’s mocking me.

“I love Lance. I love my husband.” I admit for once. 

My parents laughed at my words as if they heard a funny joke.

“Do you hear what you’re saying?” my mother laughed and gradually she stopped to tell me what she wanted to say. “No matter how much you love Lance, he will never love you. You know why? Because, except for the beautiful shape of your body, you are worthless. You are nothing but useless. You’re just a woman who knows nothing. You didn’t even graduate from college. You have absolutely no understanding of business. You don’t know what to do but cry. You are a useless woman. Whereas Lance is a bachelor with high honor, billionaire, handsome and smart. Do you think Lance can love a worthless person like you? Celine, the answer is no. Lance will never love you. And most important, Lance deserves a better woman and not someone like you who is worthless. Wake up from your dream that Lance will love you because, even in a dream, Lance will never love you.”

It’s like a sharp knife cutting my heart with every word my mother gave me. After all this year that I did for them, they still think of me as worthless.

I took my purse. 

I want to leave them before I lose respect for them.

“I will try to tell Lance what you want. And as you said, I will say that this is the last time you will ever borrow money from my husband. But I also want to clarify that I will not be divorcing my husband.” I said quickly but enough so that I could clearly explain to them every word I said.

When I turned away from them, even though I hadn’t even taken three steps, someone pulled my arm, made me face her and my mother quickly slapped me and threw me on the cold floor.

“How dare you turn your back on us and disobey us!?” my mother shouted at me. “After we raise you in a luxurious life, this is what you will repay us for!?“

“Luxurious life!? You both did nothing but hurt me and lay hands on me. All my life I followed everything you both wanted! You imprisoned me in the mansion even though I used to like to play with my fellow children! I didn’t graduate from college because you both stopped me, even though I didn’t ask you for money during my studies! I married Lance against my will, and I’m not sure what life can be in Lance’s hands. I still followed your wishes! I’m only going to disobey you now because I love Lance! Now I can’t give you what you want yet you think I’m worthless children!? What’s the point of me obeying you if you can’t see all the sacrifices I’ve made for you both and what’s the point of me obeying your orders if you can’t love me or even just respect me as a person!?”

My father sat in front of me to match me. He gripped my jaw. “Accept that you are a useless person.” He said before he slapped me. I felt a headache as my head hit the hard, cold floor.

I held my head as I tried to stand up. Maybe it’s because of my bump on the cold floor that my head seems to split in two because of the extreme pain.

“I’m leaving.” I almost whispered. I’m not even sure if my parents heard what I said. I just turned my back on them.

Just as I turned away from them, I felt the cold and hard flooring again and for a few moments, my vision went dark until I lost consciousness.

~~~

At the very moment that I opened my eyes, a dazzling white ceiling appeared to me, still accompanied by a headache.

“What kind of drama is this, Celine?”

I looked at the bedside, where I heard my mother’s hostile voice.

“M-Mom...” I said weakly.

I looked around and only then noticed that I think we were in the hospital—in the emergency room.

“Ah!”

I was stunned after my mother slapped me and then she clenched my arm.

“Do you know what embarrassment you did to me and to your father at the restaurant earlier? If you were to pass out, make sure you were alone first so you wouldn’t disturb us. You are useless. You are still idiotic.”

My mother rudely let go of my arm, which immediately caused my arm to turn red.

“If there is no one in the restaurant, we will leave you alone. Damn it, what a waste of time for a useless person like you.” My father complained.

I just bowed. “What did the doctor say?”

“We don’t know and we don’t care. We just need you to wake so you can discharge yourself.” My mother’s hostile answer was that she stopped yelling so as not to draw attention to other patients. “What a headache.”

Until I remembered my paper bag. As soon as I saw my paper on the small side table, I stood up and looked at its contents. I was relieved to see that the gift I bought for Lance was still here, as well as the new clothes I bought.

“Good day everyone.”

I look at the one who warmly welcomes us. Based on the white coat she is wearing, I assume she looked like the doctor who looked at me.

“How are you feeling?” the doctor asked me.

“I’m fine, doc. What is the reason I passed out?” I ask straight to the point. “Do I have a disease?”

I need to be discharged so that I can go home and cook my husband’s favorite dish before he gets home.

“No. You are not sick, in fact I have good news for you.”

“Good news?” I wondered.

“You are four weeks pregnant.”

Did I accurately hear what she said?

I reached the doctor in tears without taking my eyes off of her. “Please repeat what you said?”

“You are four weeks pregnant,” the doctor repeated. 

I couldn’t control my tears of joy when I fully comprehended and understood what the doctor conveyed to me. I can’t put into words the joy I experience.

“Are you sure, doc?” my mother asked.

“Yes, ma’am. If you want to be sure, I can appoint you to the obstetrician who consulted your daughter so that you yourself can be sure that your daughter is pregnant.”

“Can I be appointed right now?” I blissfully request.

“Yes, ma’am. I will designate you right away. Wait a second, I’ll just call the OB doctor.”

I quickly nodded. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

As soon as I heard I was pregnant, I couldn’t explain the joy I felt. I’m certain that Lance will be filled with happiness, regardless of his feelings towards me.

Not long after, the doctor came back to me and handed me a white sticky note with something written on it. “Just give the white sticky note to the OB assistant and they will take care of you right away.”

I immediately reached for the paper the doctor gave me.

“The OB doctor is on the third floor, right side of the second door.”

“Thank you so much, Doc.”

“It’s my pleasure and congratulations.”