CHAPTER 0004

CELINE POV

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WITHOUT DELAY, I went to the OB as the doctor said and followed she said, which is why the OB doctor took care of me right away. I’m just waiting for my urine test and the blood test. I also had an ultrasound.

“This,” the doctor pointed to a tiny dot. “This tiny dot is called a gestational sac.”

“Is that my baby, doc?” I ask without taking my eyes off the tiny dot shown by the ultrasound.

“Yes. The baby is not fully developed yet, so you won’t hear a heartbeat. After six weeks to nine weeks of your pregnancy, you can return to see your baby for the first time.”

“I will, doc. I will return with the father of my child.”

“I will look forward to that.”

After all the tests and giving me the results, especially the picture of the ultrasound, the doctor gave me a prescription that I can take vitamins and the foods I should eat.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Hart.”

“Thank you.”

When I left the OB room, I was surprised to see my parents waiting outside. I thought they had gone and left me.

“Mom, dad.” I grabbed their attention without noticing me when I was near them. It seems they are talking about such important things. 

My parents stood up when they laid eyes on me. “What’s the results? Are you pregnant?” my mother asked.

I nodded. “Yes, mom. All the results were positive, so I also had an ultrasound.”

I was about to take the picture of the ultrasound from my bag, thinking they wanted to see it, but swiftly my parents pulled me to the emergency exit.

“W-Why?” I asked in surprise.

“You need to abort that baby.” My mother said in hushed tones.

My eyes widened in disbelief, as if a sudden jolt of electricity had coursed through my entire body. “Do you hear what you’re saying, mom? Do you understand what you are saying? I am carrying your grandchild.”

“I’m sure Lance isn’t the father of the one you’re carrying, so it’s better if you abort that child.” My mother persisted.

“What?!” I feel like I’m going to run out of breath and to what my mother says doesn’t sink into my brain. “My husband is the father of my child.”

“How sure are you? Are you sure you didn’t sleep with another guy? He doesn’t love you, so how can he be the father of that child?”

My jaw dropped and was stunned for a moment. “I’m not that kind of woman. I never slept in another man’s arms.”

“My god, Celine! You can’t get pregnant. For sure, the billionaire we found for you will not accept that child.”

I’m not sure what caused my sudden headache, because of my pregnancy symptoms or because of what my parents were telling me.

“We can’t accept that child, Celine.” My own father’s comment.

“I will not abort my child. Lance is the father of my child and we are going to start a family. And I want to make it clear to both of you again that I will not divorce my husband, no matter what.”

My father’s palm flew in the air and he was about to slap me, but it didn’t continue when a janitor came up to our place. I took this opportunity to hurry out of the emergency exit and go straight to the elevator before my parents could catch up with me.

————

When I got from the mansion, I stopped by the kitchen to inform the personal chef I couldn’t help him with the cooking so that I could fix the pool area where I planned to have my dinner date with Lance.

“Why do you seem so happy today, Madame?” Our personal chef query me. 

“Because I’m excited to give Lance my anniversary gift for him. I will go first.”

I quickly and slowly left the kitchen to my room. 

For three years, Lance and I had separate rooms. Whenever he becomes too drunk, I take care of him and those times my chance I can go near him. Most of all, I can sleep next to him for the entire night, then the next day I will move to my room.

When I got to my room, I put the pregnancy test with two lines and the picture of the ultrasound in the gift box.

I can’t wait to see his reaction. I hope the child in my womb will be the way to start a new beginning for our marriage.

I put my gifts for Lance on the vanity table and went down to the pool area to take care of the decorations.

As I arrived at the pool area, the other housemaids were there one by one, removing the many candles from the container. I plan to do a candle light dinner date with Lance.

In the wide deck area pool, on the glass table for four people, I put a few candles, and I asked how to arrange the red roses. I also surrounded the entire area of ​​the deck pool with candlelight and red rose’s petals. The preparation was fast and smooth because of the help of the housemaid, who helped me from the beginning.

This is my first time getting prepared for our wedding anniversary. On our first wedding anniversary, I just cooked him a steak since I wasn’t sure about my feelings for him. All I wanted was to show my gratitude for him, however he didn’t come home that day. 

For our second anniversary, I booked a private villa but he was too busy and didn’t even touch the food I cooked for him. On this occasion, I hope even for a moment—even for five minutes we can celebrate our third wedding anniversary, especially this day will be even more special because I am carrying his child.

———— 

I take a short, quick breath through my mouth after checking the time on my phone. 

Thirty minutes before twelve midnight, but Lance is still not here. The food is already cold. I can’t warm up right away because I don’t know what time he will arrive. I sent him a lot of text messages but even one of them he didn’t reply or even asked what time he will be home.

I closed my eyes again, but this time I bumped into the glass table. “Ouch...” I whispered.

I massage both my temples in a circular motion using my middle and pointed finger. I’m very sleepy and my head hurts from trying to stop the sleepiness.

“If you are sleepy, you should go to sleep in your room.” 

As I perceived his deep yet gentle voice simultaneously, I sensed Lance placing his jacket coat on my shoulder.

When I stood up, I couldn’t help but smile even more, and now his face was close to mine. Even though it looks like he’s overworked again, it still can’t hide his good looks. He has always been handsome. He has attractive blue eyes. A towering height. His skin is creamy beige. Has pinkish and kissable lips, also he has a perfect jaw. Add to that, he is calm. 

“No, I waited for you, for this.” I pointed at the table with one of my hands. “The food just got cold. But I can heat. I didn’t know what time you would be home. That’s why I didn’t warm up right away.”

I waited for his response, but he just kept looking into my eyes.

I sensed Lance’s gaze on me, or perhaps due to my nervousness about the gift I was going to present to him. 

“You don’t need to reheat the food. I’m not hungry either.” His voice became icy, which made me even more nervous.

“Is that so?” I almost stammered. “I have a present for you.”

And in the interim I am holding the gift box, Lance spoke again, which stopped me for a moment.

“I want to get a divorce, Celine.”

I returned my full attention to Lance. “W-What are you talking about?”

Lance placed the brown envelope he was holding on the table and requested, “Sign this so that I can process our divorce papers right away.”

“No... why? Why now? Did I do something you didn’t like? Tell me what’s wrong with me and I’ll change it right away. Please, Lance, say you’re just telling a joke. I can’t, especially now–”

“Celine, let’s not torture ourselves anymore. We both don’t love each other, so what’s the point if we continue this nonsense marriage–”

“I love you!” I cut him off. “I’ve loved you for a long time, Lance. I learned to love you to where I want to build a family with you.”

He was unable to speak immediately. He seemed surprised and did not expect what I told him.

He cleared his throat before speaking again. “Your feelings for me cannot change my decision. My decision is complete and I want to divorce you.”

“But, Lance...” I opened the gift box and showed him its contents. “I’m pregnant.”

“Who is the father?”

“What?” My voice is trembling. The tears I was holding back were falling out of my eyes one by one. “What kind of question is that? Of course you are the father of the child I’m carrying.”

“This can’t be. I can’t have a child with you.”

My eyes widened. It’s like a handful of ice was poured on me with the chill I feel from fear! I’m afraid of what my husband might say. No, that thing should not come from his mouth.

“You need to abort that child.” He ruthlessly said,  as if he did not think of how painful his words were to me and it’s like he didn’t hear what I said that he is the father of the child he wants to abort.

I couldn’t think anymore except that I wanted to protect the child in my womb.