The smell of antiseptic hit me as soon as I stepped out of the door to the doctor’s office.
It was clean and clinical — to remind me that I was still in the hospital. I clutched my test result tightly, my palms were damp with nervous excitement. The hallway felt cold to my finger's touch as I leaned against the wall, bracing myself for what was to come. My heart was racing. I couldn't wait to call Marino and share the news. But just as I was about to dial his number, my phone rang, I checked to see who could be calling. My Uncle —Vivid on the spot for caller ID “Gianna, is everything fine with you and Marino?” His voice was serious with a tinge of concern. I laughed, trying to brush off the awkwardness I felt along with his question. "We're fine. Why do you ask?" There was a momentary silence before he continued, his voice was a bit hesitant. "I heard... Marino brought a pregnant woman to the hospital for a prenatal checkup the other day." I laughed harder, but a seed of disbelief was already taking root. "You think Marino has another woman? Cheating?" "Yes," he responded firmly, his voice going low. I tried to calm down before dismissing his concerns. "Don't worry. Marino is the last man in the world who would do something like that to me." After hanging up, I still decided to call Marino anyway. My finger was slightly shaky as I dialed his number on the phone. The sound of the hospital's hustle faded into the background, muted by the ringing tone that seemed to go on forever. When he finally answered, his voice was cold, unrecognizable. My joy went damp like a fire doused in cold water. "I'm busy. Don't call unless it's important!" he snapped. Stunned, I managed to whisper, "But, Marino—" He cuts me off. "That's it for now." And then, click. He was gone. I stared at my phone, slowly lowering my hand. The test results suddenly felt heavy in my grip, and a dull ache could be felt in my chest. His sudden distance and change in tone stung like a slap. While lost in thoughts, I almost didn't notice the quick footsteps approaching me. The hallway still smelled of sharp Cleanser, but there was a lingering warmth from the sun filtering through the seams of the window. I felt a cool current from the air conditioning as a figure appeared. My mood shifted from being down to utter displeasure and irritation when I saw Rosy approaching. My muscles were tensed like that of a beast, and my eyes narrowed like an eagle’s as I caught the sight of her smug smile. "Sis!" she called out cheerfully, but her flawed acting couldn't hide the mocking in her tone. I glared at her. "Don't call me that. My mother only had one child and that's me." Rosy smiled sweetly, Acting like It wasn't her being insulted. "Gianna, are you here for another infertility test or should I say dead womb?" "None of your business," I snapped, my eyes flashing with extreme anger. She raised an eyebrow, with her voice sly. "Oh, aren't you going to ask why I'm here?" She paused to savor the effect of her torture. "I'm pregnant—with Marino's child of course!" My heart pounded with an intensity that threatened to blow through, and I felt my breath Zapped in my throat. As my eyes trail unconsciously to confirm my fears, I notice the small curve of Rosy's stomach. My eyes widened with disbelief, but I quickly masked it with a sneer I couldn't bear to let this woman have her way for once. "Are you insane?" I scoffed. Rosy smirked, pulling out a paper for me to see. "Take a look at this." My fingers felt cold as I grabbed the check-up report. The weight of the paper felt heavier than it should as I read along the lines, and my eyes widened as I saw Marino's signature scrawled across the bottom. The world spun around me. Everything felt distant, the background noise of the hospital becoming a faint buzz as Rosy's words of venom echoed in my mind. Four months ago. All night. "He's thrilled about the baby," Rosy gloated. "He even wants me to keep it. Soon enough, I'll take your place." Rage boiled up inside me. "You b*tch!" I shouted in anger, and before I knew it, my hand connected with her face in a resounding slap. The sound echoed in the hallway, and Rosy fell dramatically to the floor. Blood stained her trousers, and my stomach dropped, the anger swiftly replaced by fear as my eyes gained clarity after the deriving moment of rage. Everything happened too fast after. Medical staff swarmed around Rosy, their voices urgent. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the harsh disinfectant reached my nostrils. I stood frozen, watching as Rosy was whisked away. My hands trembled as guilt gnawed at my mind, though my mind still fought against the glaring truth. Then I heard Margaret's voice, sharp as glass, I could almost claim the searing sharpness ripped my skin. "What happened? Why is Rosy in the emergency room?" Rosy's companion pointed at me. "She pushed her!" she said accusingly Margaret's fury was over the roof as she turned to meet my gaze, her hand connecting with my cheek in a stinging slap to karma with Rose's. "You barren tree! You couldn't stand to see another woman give him what you couldn't, Right!?" The slap stung me, and my cheek burned. But I didn't fight back. The reality of Margaret's words hit down on me. And then it dawned on me. Perhaps Rosy was telling the truth after all. The next few hours passed in a blur. Somehow, I found myself in a lawyer's office, staring blankly at a stack of papers. The lawyer's voice was brisk and cold as he explained the terms of the divorce agreement in a professional manner. My hands were shaky as I scanned the document. My vision was blurred with tears as I read the dismemberment of the property section. Marino was taking everything, even the jewelry leaving me nothing to own. "Miss Nelson, please sign here," the lawyer said with blatant impatience. "Mr. Myers doesn't want you to take anything that's his." "Sure," I whispered, in defeat. I signed my name, feeling like I was signing off my life. As I left the office, I caught the sight of Marino in the parking lot. The night air was humid, the thick kind. His sleek black Aston Martin gleamed under the dim parking lot lights. He sat inside, his handsome face expressionless, eyes cold. The lawyer handed Marino the signed agreement. I watched as Marino's jaw tightened up, but his expression remained unreadable. "She signed it?" Marino asked, his voice calm but dark. The lawyer nodded nervously. "Yes, sir." Marino glanced at the night sky. "Let's go," he said, as tuned the car to life. I stood there, watching as the taillights of his car disappeared into the dark embrace. In just one day, my whole world had crumbled on me. The test results I had been so excited about earlier now felt like a cruel joke in my eyes. As I walked away from the hospital, I realized that not only had I lost my husband, but I had also lost the future I had dreamed of building with him. The weight of betrayal and loss weighed heavily on my shoulders as I stepped into the uncertain night, all alone.The night was filled with activities outside the grand San Fetillo Hilton Hotel. I sat myself on the passenger seat of a sleek Maybach, as I watched the scenes unfold through tinted windows. Luxury cars gleam under the bright lights, and the air vibrates with the sound of reporters eagerly adjusting their cameras to juicy news. I can see their breath turn white in the chilly evening air. The scent of car fumes and suspense aura seems to seep through the car's sealed interior.Clicks and Flashes of light filled the nights, as photographers captured every moment of arrival with a snap of welcome. There's an electric excitement in the air, My stomach chums from the luxury and high classics. The glamour of it all was suffocating, and I fought the urge to shrink in my seat out of low esteem.The car's door opens, and Thane Reed steps out confidently in a suave white suit. His smile is refined but light as he turns to help his companion, supermodel Lulu, out of the car. She glides out in a
The luxurious atmosphere of the Golden Age Group party swirls about my sides. Soft clicks of champagne glasses and the murmurs of discussion filled the atmosphere, mingling with the scent of exotic flowers and rich aromas from the buffet. I stood awkwardly in my business attire, that couldn't match out with the glamorously dressed attendees. The glimmering chandeliers cast a warm glow over everything, Setting it to me how much I don't belong here.I'm here on a job, not to have fun. Words from Thane echo in my mind, reminding me to stay focused. But as I find my way to the buffet, a sharp, familiar voice cuts through the noise of the party:"Get me some food here!"I looked up, and my eyes fell on Freya Howard. She's plastered with heavy makeup, she stands in an aura of arrogance that makes my skin crawl. Our eyes met, and I saw hers widen briefly in recognition before a smirk found its way across her face. Tilting her chin up, sizing me up like she was some kind of predator."So it's
Though, I didn't mean for this to happen. Standing in that lavish hall, surrounded by crystal chandeliers and people draped in designer clothing worth more than my monthly rent, I felt like an outsider. My simple black dress, the nicest thing I owned, suddenly felt cheap and inadequate. The air was thick with the smell of expensive perfume mingling with the aroma of gourmet hors d'oeuvres, getting my head to spin slightly. Or maybe that was just me being anxious.I have been on the edge lately, trying to fit in in a crowd while keeping an eye out for Rosy too. Just as she had been watching me too, I could tell. Now and then, I'd catch her whispering to Freya, both of them throwing me glances from time to time. Their stares weighed heavy on me making my skin crawl all over.Earlier, I'd overheard snippets of their conversation as I passed by. "To think she showed up?" Rosy had whispered, loud enough for me to hear. "Oh my, look at her. She doesn't even belong here." With Freya's tinkli
The sun set on me as I stood in the police station parking lot, feeling small and exposed. Thane, leaning against his sleek black car, looking as smug as ever, couldn't help but get odd about it. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as his laughter rang out in my ears, harsh and sarcastic, bouncing off the concrete walls around us."Gianna, that was so fucking cool!" Thane's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You're so ugly and couldn't do anything well, but who would have imagined that you could be so fierce today? No man would dare to marry a woman like you, for real."I stood still, staring at him as my heart raced in my chest. Why did he always have to be so cruel? Thane had always had a sharp tongue, and despite knowing better, his words still sting me. I'd learned long ago that showing how much he hurts me only made things worse.He wasn't done yet. His face hardened as he continued, "It's all because of you. You wasted my time. I already had it planned to spend the night with Lulu, an
Dazzling lights buzzes relentlessly above, casting a not so pleasing glow across the interrogation room. I sat alone, my fingers absently tracing the rough edges of the wooden table that separates me and the guy on uniform . The table felt more like a protective barrier, though whether it was protecting me or them, I wasn't sure of what anymore.My evening gown, which had seemed so off at the party just hours ago, was stained and wrinkled all the more. I could feel my hair coming loose from its careful styling , going out of shape like an honest nest, adding to my wretched appearance. Outside the room, I could hear the steady rhythm of shoes hitting beats against the tiled floor and the murmur of voices discussing what they believe to be my fate. In all my efforts to calm myself, my heart raced against my ribcage threatening to break through.As I waited, my mind wandered to questions I'd been asking myself all night. Is Marino's heart really made of stone? Throughout our five years
I couldn't even sleep that night. The dim light flickering through my curtains, casting dancing shadows on the walls of my bedroom. As I lay there, the coolness of the sheets against my skin provided little comfort to me. The city sounds gradually faded into silence as the night races to it's peak , leaving only the rhythmic ticking of my bedside clock to keep me company.When the sleep finally came, it was anything but peaceful. As reality blurred and faded, and suddenly I went back to three years in the past. The memory was vivid, painfully so. Rosy stood before me, her face beaming with joy as her hands cradled her protruded belly."Gianna, I'm pregnant with his child!" Her voice was giddy with excitement.The rage that filled me then was just as real as in my dream. "How could you do this to me?" I shouted in sorrow, and before I could stop myself, my palm connected with her cheek. The sharp sound of the slap hung in took the moment by hands a bit for a while before being drowned
"Trying to prove strong huh?" I heard Thane's voice say from behind me. "Proving strong? I don't understand. Why should I try to prove to be something I already am?" I said, trying to hide how pained I was.He walked away slowly, as I kept my gaze fixed on my computer. I was indeed trying to be strong. Thane's words got to me. But I wasn't about to show any iota of weakness.A flood of tears bubbled on the inside of me, eager to gush out. I fought my tears, swallowing saliva as if that could dry the flood of surging tears.I prayed the day would run by, it did eventually. I was drenched in my own emotions. I needed to clear my head; when I arrived home, rested and freshened up, I headed to the bar just across the road."Can I snatch you?" A coarse voice said behind me, the baritone sound of his voice sending chills down my spine."Snatch me if you can!" I added, followed by a melodious chuckle. I could already notice he was in awe. "What are you looking at?" I joked, giving his glass
I and Thanes seemed like we didn't get along. But in actuality, we were starting to get closer than we were ready to admit. I also loved that he was always ready to help me in different ways.Thanes and Thorne didn't quite get along, but their father insisted they both run the company. The mansion was outrageously beautiful. I could see a little glimpse of attraction in Thorne's eyes, but I dismissed that as the normal attraction I received from guys; I was gorgeous, so that was expected.I guessed it'd all fade off with time, so to me, it counted for nothing. "Thank you so much, Gianna, for honouring my invite," I hear him say to me, casting his glance on us; he greeted them as well.We had finally seen him after walking for minutes into the main hall. I noticed a slight decline in his exciting demeanour, and immediately, his eyes landed on Thanes. The party progressed beautifully.We sat at our table, it was a sumptuous party, so much to eat and drink. But I noticed Thanes was now