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
CELINE POV-I placed a pillow on Sunny’s back before sitting her upright and in a comfortable position. I took the salmeterol from her bag and put the mouthpiece on her lips.“Breathe quickly and deeply,” I instructed Sunny.After doing that, I removed her inhaler, then Skye counted one to six seconds.“Breath out slowly,” I instructed her again.After that, Skye held Sunny’s hand and counted again.“One… Two… Three… Four… Five… Six…”I glanced at Lance, who was on the edge of the bed. He is intently looking at Sunny, his forearm on his chest while his other elbow rests there where his knuckle was moving.“Sixty!”Once Skye’s count reached sixty, we repeated the procedure from the beginning. We did this ten times until Sunny’s feeling and breathing were normal.“She is okay now,” I grabbed Lance’s attention.His blue sea eyes widened as he looked at me. “What do I need to do?”“Get out of this room.”“What?”He asked in disbelief.“I’ll put them to sleep first,” I quickly added.“Oh…
CELINE POV-“Daddy Superhero, are you the one who will take us to our new house?”“Yes, sweetheart. I will take you to your new house.”Lance had two bodyguards with us carrying our two suitcases.“Do you want me to carry you?” Lance asked Sunny.“Yes!”I had no choice but to hand Sunny over to Lance. I didn’t want to cause trouble here and scare the kids.Lance picked up Sunny, and I carried Skye.“Does our new house have a big playground?” Sunny question as we walked towards the basement parking lot.“Do you want a playground?”“Yes! I want a big playground where Skye and I can play.”“We’re going to build a playground there.”Sunny clapped her hands in joy at Lance’s words.Once they arrived in front of a van, his people opened it, and Lance got in with Sunny.After he lowered Sunny from the seat, he looked at me. “Get in,” he coldly ordered me.I let Skye out of the car first, then we went to the second row of seats together.When we sat down, the door closed, and the driver got
CELINE POV-“Mummy, are we going to move far?” Sunny asked while I was fixing her clothes.“Not too far,” I replied.“Mummy, why are we suddenly moving?” Skye asked.Surely Skye was curious and felt that there was another reason why we were suddenly moving house, and he needed an answer.“The rent fee here is a bit expensive. Mummy found a better and cheaper apartment to rent .” My excuse.“I hope there is a park or playground where we are moving,” Sunny commented excitedly.I put on a face mask for them.I grabbed one large bag and grabbed two large suitcases. I tried to fit all our belongings into the two suitcases. I only brought the most important things.“Let’s go, sweethearts.”When we got out and got off the apartment, I immediately flagged down the first taxi I saw.“Mummy, Auntie Sabrina won’t be coming with us?” Sunny question as we boarded the taxi.“No, sweetheart. But she will visit us again like before,” I replied. “At the airport,” I told the driver as he got in.I won
CELINE POV-I pulled back the arm he was holding with a frown.I waited for him to speak, but after a few seconds, he did not clarify what he was saying; instead, he just fixed his gaze at me.“I don’t have time for this.” I broke the silence, and this is my saying goodbye to him.Before I could walk away to leave Tristan, the door opened again, and two men entered. The one with a name plate is the manager, and the one wearing the suit, I think, is the owner of the restaurant that Lucian Morgan summoned.“Sir Lucian Morgan?” The owner of this restaurant called in surprise. “I didn’t know you were here. Is there anything I can do for you?”I looked at Tristan. “Give me your resume,” he said as he extended his palm.”“Why?” I was confused.“To know why you will not get a job in this city.”I glanced at the two men who had just entered. When they stared at my face, the manager whispered something to the owner of this restaurant, who was circling with his pair of eyes after that.By tha
CELINE POV - “Thank you,” I told the tenant after she finished talking to me. Before entering, I let out a sigh. The tenant informed me that from today the rent for the apartment will be 10,350 dollars. Almost five times the rent last month. I need to pass the interview and get a job; that kind of rent is out of my budget. “Who are you talking to?” Sabrina asked as I entered. “Nothing.” “You sure?” "Hmmm,” I nodded. “Did you bring all your stuff?” I asked, changing the topic. Sabrina will be back in New York to focus on her review. “Yep. It will be a while before I get back here. I have an exam coming up, so I need to focus on my review. But—” she raised her one pointed finger as if she were stopping me from speaking. "But it doesn’t mean that if you need me, you’ll disturb my review. That’s a big no. Okay?” I just nodded. “Oh! Maybe that’s the one who will pick me up,” Sabrina said when someone rang the doorbell. Sabrina opened the door excitedly, and upon se
CELINE POV-After I picked up the kids and we were going out, we saw Conrad in the parking lot.When Conrad’s gaze caught ours, he immediately came over to us.“Boss Lance ordered me to pick you up.”“Didn’t Lance understand what I told him?”I clearly told him earlier before I got out of the car that I don’t want us to have any kind of connection and that even picking up anyone who has anything to do with him, he shouldn’t do it anymore.“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Madame. Boss Lance just sent me here to pick you up. Shall we go?”The weather was cloudy.I just nodded and went in the direction of Conrad’s car.“Where is Daddy superhero?” Sunny asked as we entered.“He’s busy,” Conrad replied.“He is just like Daddy Tristan, always busy.”I stroked Sunny’s hair and didn’t comment. It would be better if Lance got away from us sooner rather than later before Sunny got completely attached to him.The trip from school to the outside of the apartment building was quick, and a
CELINE POV-When we got down from the apartment, I shifted my gaze to Sabrina after seeing Lance here with the car we rode in yesterday.“Wow!” Skye couldn't help but marvel at the car again.“I don’t know. I’m just not in the mood to go outside.” She explained before I could ask."Maybe it was just a coincidence. Right?” I asked sarcastically.“Yes. Of course, it was just a coincidence.”I believed what Sabrina said.I sat in front of the kids. “Skye, do you want to ride in that car again?”Skye catches a glimpse at Lance. “No.”“Why?” Sunny asked. “You want that car.”“Yes.”Sunny held Skye’s hand. “Then, let’s go. We’ll be safe with him.”Skye and I both did nothing when Sunny pulled him towards Lance.“Let’s go to school, daddy superhero.”Skye looked at the ground.“I’m not here to just drop you off.”“Eh? Why?”Lance sat in front of them, then showed the car key in front of Skye. “I will give this car to Skye.”His voice is not so cheerful but not too dry either.Skye quickly l
CELINE POV - “Sunny, it looks like she really likes art,” Lance said as she stared at Sunny. We were at the Art Institute, walking around. It was surprising that apart from the four of us, no one else was here, or maybe because it was only a few minutes before seventeen o’clock, the museum’s closing time. Since there was no one else around, I let Sunny look at the art alone, of course with Skye by her side. We were about ten steps away from them so that Sunny could enjoy going here more and so that Skye wouldn’t be too nervous. Sunny held Skye’s hand wherever she went. “As she said a while ago, she’s not sure either,” I replied coldly. “Why isn’t she sure? She seems to be enjoying it now.” “Maybe because she’s just used to coming here, or because she appreciates everything she sees. In her condition, she can only go to places like this occasionally, to museums—when there aren’t too many people, the surroundings aren’t dirty, she won’t see anything that can excite her fe
CELINE POV-“Skye, are you okay?” I asked when he didn’t move or speak after seeing Lance.“I’m sorry, mummy.”“Why, sweetheart? Why are you apologizing?”“I am not brave.”I hugged Skye.I told him once that if he wanted something or wanted to do something but was afraid, he should go for it rather than regret it later.I don’t want Skye to be like me; there are many things I haven’t done because of fear of the people around me or what might happen because of fear.“It’s okay to not be brave sometimes. You can still feel scared.”“I want to go home. I want to see Daddy Tristan.”I bite my lower lip. If I had a hard time without him, I’m sure the kids have a harder time adjusting without Tristan. How many times have they looked for Tristan in me? I’m running out of excuses why we can’t be with him.I don’t want to confuse the children by telling the truth about why we can’t be with Tristan again.“Are you sure you want to go home? I thought you wanted to ride in this car?” “I’m scar