CELINE’s POV
- WITHOUT DELAY, I went to the OB as the doctor said and followed what the doctor said to earlier, 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. “Lance is the father of my child.” “How sure are you? Are you sure you didn’t sleep with another guy? Lance 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 Lance, 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 that 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, ma’am?” he asked. “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 it cannot be avoided that most of the time we will have intercourse the entire night. Most of all, I can sleep next to him for the entire night, then the next day I will move to my room. I often wish that Lance would come home drunk so that I could somehow sleep with him even if he wasn’t aware. It was the only time that I could stare at Lance’s handsome face. 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 Lance’s reaction. Maybe 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 Lance and I’s 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 that 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 Lance 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 Lance’s face was close to mine. Even though it looks like he’s overworked again, it still can’t hide his good looks. Lance 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 Lance 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, “Please sign this so that we 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.” Lance 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.CELINE’s POV-“Celine, what do you need from Hanna?” Astrid asked me.“I just have something important to ask her.” I answered, almost in a whisper.I saw in the rear-view mirror Astrid open her mouth, but she closed it and did not ask again. In the passenger seat, Christine turned to me and smiled. I returned her with a small smile, then I looked outside.After what happened last night with Lance, I haven’t talked to him again, nor have I been able to look at him until I’ve met Hanna.Hanna Matthew is Lance’s right hand or underboss in his organization. Hanna is often with Lance when Lance transacts in the underground. Also, Hanna once lived in the mansion we live in now. Hanna only left the mansion because of me. Hanna told me the one time I talked to her she knows her boundaries as Lance’s friend and that it is not good to see if she will stay in the mansion as her friend Lance is married.I was so hurt last night and felt bad for my baby. My baby is still in blood and growing, ye
CELINE’s POV-While in the car, Astrid was unable to refrain from reacting to what happened earlier, even though she hadn’t yet inquired about the reason behind my actions.“Oh, my gosh. My brain still can’t process what happened earlier.” Astrid reacted again while driving. “But if Hanna mentioned that she and Lance had an affair, I might be unable to restrain myself from reacting towards Hanna. Good thing she and Lance don’t have an affair.”“Astrid, just drive first. We might get into an accident if you don’t focus on the road.” Christine disobeyed her. “Yeah, we need to get to the restaurant so that we can find out all the details from Celine. Fasten your seatbelt.”And as usual, when Astrid said that, she sped up driving. What was supposed to be a half hour drive for us turned into only about ten minutes, including the parking.We went straight to the restaurant we often go to and because Christine reserved, someone assisted us to the VIP floor, which is on the second floor.“T
CELINE’s POV-Christine’s husband owns this mall. The security guard who let us in knew us, therefore Astrid was able to sneak a gun. Like Lance, Astrid, and Christine are also members of the mafia organization, which is why they are skilled in using guns and skilled in fighting.“The next time I shoot this gun I will hit that bitch,” Astrid threatened Lance without fear.“Try it, Astrid, and I won’t hesitate to use all the bullets of my gun on you.” Lance also threatened Astrid. “Don’t forget who you’re dealing with.”Astrid chuckled. “An asshole and a bitch. I still haven’t forgotten who I’m dealing with.” Astrid replied sarcastically.Fear is not really in Astrid’s vocabulary. Does she not understand that Lance is threatening him as a mafia boss.Before they exchanged gunfire, I approached Astrid.“Astrid, let’s go.”Astrid looked at me in her disbelief, then lowered her hand holding the gun. “Leave? Why would you be afraid of what these two are doing?” Astrid looked back at Lance
CELINE’s POV-THE NEXT DAY, the driver assigned by Lance took me to the place where Freya and I would meet. I didn’t even tell anyone about this, especially Astrid, because she might do something else again. “Please wait for me here or you can go around the mall first.” I told the driver, then I handed him one thousand dollars to spend while waiting for me.“Thank you, ma’am. But I will not accept the money. I will just wait for you here in the basement parking lot.”“Are you sure?”“Yes, ma’am.”I nodded. “Okay, if that’s what you want.” I then said to leave the driver alone. I can’t force him anymore and it might take a long time.Entering the mall as I expected, I could still enter after the chaos that happened yesterday. Freya was the one who decided where we would meet and she chose the same mall and the same restaurant yesterday where I first saw her with Lance.When I entered the restaurant, the same thing happened. I had no problem getting into the restaurant. Upon my arriva
CELINE’s POV-Subsequent to what occurred earlier, I headed straight home to the mansion and confined myself to my room for the night. I haven’t eaten or even drank water or anything all day.I don’t want to see anyone right now. It seems as though everyone is laughing at me. I feel everyone thinks I’m stupid and doesn’t know how to think.A few moments later, I heard a knock from outside my room and the maid said Lance was in the dining room and he wanted to talk to me.“Okay, I’ll be right back.” I tried not to crack my voice.I got up from the bed and headed towards the vanity table. I wiped my face with face tissue and put concealer to cover the swelling of my eyes. I also put lip gloss and a color pink blush on my cheeks.When I arrived at the dining area, I saw Lance was eating alone and there was no one else there except for the two of us.“Lance.”Lance looked at me. “Have you eaten yet?” he asked me coldly.I shook my head. “No.” I answered and hoped that he would invite me
CELINE’s POV-After I left the abortion room, the blood still did not stop flowing down my leg.I cannot sense my entire body as deeply as my other sensations. I was uncertain about the sensations that would arise because of the immense pain.“Celine...”When I directed my gaze towards Lance, an unusual sensation overcame me—anger. This is the first time I sensed this from him.It’s amusing to contemplate the reality that he still waits for me because he wants to ensure our baby is now gone. Lance’s gaze dropped to my blood-soaked thighs.“I hope I made you happy with this.” I said in tears.“Mr. Hart, I suggest you prioritize resting your wife,” said the doctor behind me, who had emerged from the abortion room.“She will experience a significant amount of pain and cramping,” the doctor continued. “Mrs. Hart will have a heavy bleeding. Most often, it will take three to five hours. She may also feel vomiting, fever, diarrhea and headache.” The doctor repeated what she told us earlier
(SIX YEARS LATER…) .. .. CELINE’s POV - “Wait, wait,” I called calmly when I saw that the beef ragu was about to be given to the server. I first took the grated parmesan cheese and added it to the beef ragu. “It escaped my attention.” I smiled at him. “It’s okay, there are quite a few customers, so it’s inevitable to make a mistake. Go ahead, give that to the server.” “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” I’m still not used to having someone thank me to show their gratitude to me. It’s still a peculiar emotion to be recognized and observe the small contribution I can offer. I still have the sensation that it’s unreal that someone values what I do. Six years have passed since I left New York and moved here to Chicago. I continued my college course which is the bachelor of science in business administration. It was difficult for me to start a new life. All my life, my parents locked me in the mansion, so except for the mansion and school, I didn’t go anyw
CELINE’s POV - “Tristan, you understand that I’m not in a position to handle things like this. After what happened to me before, I still can’t get into a relationship, especially to get married.” I explained to him. I am aware of Tristan’s true feelings for me. He admitted he had special feelings for me, I’m just not sure when he felt that. All he told me was that he had feelings for me for a long time before I even met him or even before my parents introduced him to me. Tristan is a special friend to me. Perhaps this is everything I can provide for him at the moment. “I know,” Tristan replied with a smile. “I know that this sort of thing may not currently be your top concern, and I am prepared to wait until you are ready. That’s why I don’t want to introduce you to my family first, even in the way you want, because I’m sure they’ll rush to marry you when I introduce you as my fiancée. Are you aware of my most significant motive?” “What?” I asked full of curiosity. “I don