Chapter 1

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.