Chapter 37

Roslyn POV

Roslyn thought about Alexander, memories of their time together flooded her mind. She recalled the moments they shared, the laughter, the whispers, and the stolen glances. But it all felt like a farce now, a cleverly crafted lie. The realization stung, and her heart ached as she wondered how long Alexander had been deceiving her.

She remembered the gentle touch, the soft kisses, and the warmth of his embrace. The memory of their kiss by the river, under the starry sky, still lingered, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be again. Her heart yearned for the love they shared, but it was all a facade, a cleverly concealed betrayal.

Sitting alone on the balcony, lost in thought, Roslyn's eyes welled up with tears. She felt the sting of disappointment, the weight of shattered dreams, and the anguish of being cheated. As the tears rolled down her cheeks, she vowed to herself, "I won't waste another tear on that man. I won't let his deception break me."

Her inner turmoil raged on, "How could he do this to me? How could he shatter the trust, the love, and the memories we shared?" The questions swirled, but the answers eluded her. All she knew was that she had to move on, to heal, and to rediscover herself.

Taking a deep breath, Roslyn wiped away her tears, her voice barely above a whisper, "I deserve better. I deserve truth, love, and loyalty. And I'll find it, no matter what it takes."

As the night wore on, Roslyn's thoughts continued to swirl. She replayed every moment, every conversation, and every gesture Alexander had made. Each memory is now tainted with doubt and uncertainty.

"How could I have been so blind?" she wondered. "Did I ignore the signs? Was I too caught up in the fairy tale?"

The questions haunted her, but she knew she couldn't change the past. What she could do was shape her future.

With newfound determination, Roslyn stood up, her eyes drying as she gazed out at the city skyline. The lights twinkled like stars, reminding her of the night she and Alexander had shared by the river.

"That was just a lie," she whispered to herself. "A beautiful, cruel lie."

Her phone buzzed, breaking the spell. A text from Alexander flashed on the screen, "Where are you? I need to talk to you."

Roslyn's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't hesitate. She typed out a response, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

"Leave me alone, Alexander. Our story is over."

With a deep breath, she hit send, severing the fragile thread that still bound them together.

The silence that followed was liberating. Roslyn felt the weight lift, like shackles breaking free. She smiled, a hint of defiance in her eyes.

"I'm taking back control," she whispered. "I'm taking back me."

As the night wore on, Roslyn's resolve hardened. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face it head-on. No more tears, no more doubts. Only strength, resilience, and the unwavering determination to rediscover herself.

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Alexander POV

Alexander's eyes gazed blankly at the phone screen, his mind reeling with the harsh reality of Roslyn's words. "Leave me alone, Alexander. Our story is over." The finality of those words cut deep, like a knife twisting in his heart.

"How could she think I cheated on her?" he wondered, his thoughts racing with desperation. "It's all a misunderstanding, a twisted web of lies and miscommunication. I never betrayed her trust, never looked at another woman with desire."

His mind replayed every moment they shared, every laugh, every tear, every whispered promise. "I love her, truly and deeply. How can she doubt that?" The thought of living without Roslyn by his side was unbearable, a bleak future devoid of color and joy.

"Why won't she listen to me?" Alexander's frustration boiled over. "Why won't she give me a chance to explain? Does she really believe I'm capable of deceiving her?" The questions swirled, but the silence from Roslyn's end was deafening.

He recalled the day they exchanged vows, promising to love and cherish each other through thick and thin. "Did it all mean nothing to her?" The thought of divorce, of severing their bond, was unthinkable.

Alexander's hands clenched into fists, his eyes burning with unshed tears. "I won't give up on us, Roslyn. I won't let one misunderstanding tear us apart." Determination coursed through his veins, a resolve to prove his innocence, to win back her trust.

But the silence from Roslyn's end was crippling, a constant reminder that she didn't want to see his face, didn't want to hear his voice. "What have I done to deserve this?" Alexander's heart ached, shattered by the thought of losing the love of his life.

As night wore on, Alexander's phone remained silent, the screen dark and unyielding. He knew he had to try again, to find a way to reach Roslyn's heart and make her understand. The question was, would she ever be willing to listen?

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Two months had passed since the rift between Alexander and Roslyn. The divorce proceedings had reached a critical stage, with the court scheduling a final hearing. However, Alexander's absence was striking.

The judge glanced at the empty chair reserved for Alexander, a hint of displeasure on his face. "Mr. Alexander Volter is not present, despite being summoned," the court officer announced.

Roslyn's lawyer, Ms. Jensen, stood before the judge. "Your Honor, my client has been patient and cooperative throughout these proceedings. Mr. Volter's continued absence suggests a lack of interest in reconciling or contesting the divorce."

The judge nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. This court hereby issues a final notice to Mr. Alexander Volter, requiring his presence at the next hearing. Failure to comply will result in an ex-parte judgment."

The court officer handed Roslyn's lawyer a copy of the notice. "The next hearing is scheduled for two weeks from today. Ensure Mr. Volter receives this notice."

Roslyn's eyes locked onto the judge, a glimmer of hope flickering within her. Maybe, just maybe, Alexander would finally appear and explain himself.

The judge's voice broke the silence. "This hearing is adjourned until further notice. Mr. Volter has two weeks to respond to this final notice."

As Roslyn left the courtroom, her thoughts swirled with uncertainty. Would Alexander show up? Would he finally break his silence? Only time would tell.

As soon as Roslyn stepped out of the courtroom, her phone buzzed in her hand. Chris's name flashed on the screen, and she answered with a mix of relief and exhaustion.

"Hey, how are you?" Chris asked, concern lacing his voice.

"I'm okay, just got out of court," Roslyn replied, her tone flat.

"When are you seeing the doctor?" Chris inquired, his voice gentle.

"In about half an hour," Roslyn responded, checking her watch.

Chris's pause was palpable before he asked, "Did Alexander show up today?"

Roslyn's silence was telling, and Chris's sigh echoed through the line.

"No," she whispered finally, the word barely audible.

Chris's sigh deepened. "Roslyn, you should tell him about the pregnancy. He has a right to know; he's still your husband and the father of that child."

Roslyn's response was immediate and resolved. "No, Chris, he doesn't deserve to know. He's ruined everything already. Our marriage, our trust, our love... it's all gone because of his lies and deception."

Chris's voice softened. "But think about the baby, Roslyn. Alexander deserves to know he's going to be a father. It's not just about you two; it's about the life you're carrying."

Roslyn's resolve hardened. "I won't give him the satisfaction of knowing he's still connected to me, to our child. He's lost that right. I'll raise this baby on my own, without his influence or toxic presence."

The line fell silent, with Chris struggling to find the right words. "Roslyn, I'm here for you, no matter what. But please, reconsider telling Alexander. It's not just about him; it's about the baby's future."

Roslyn's voice remained firm. "My mind is made up, Chris. He'll never know."

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Roslyn settled into the exam room, the soft hum of the ultrasound machine a gentle accompaniment to her racing thoughts. Dr. Rachel Kim, a warm smile on her face, entered the room, clipboard in hand.

"Hello, Roslyn! How are you feeling today?" Dr. Kim asked, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest.

"A little anxious," Roslyn admitted, her hands fluttering over her belly.

Dr. Kim nodded sympathetically. "Completely normal. Let's take a look at that little bundle of joy inside you."

With expert hands, Dr. Kim guided Roslyn through the ultrasound process, the gel-cooled wand gliding across her abdomen. The screen flickered to life, revealing a tiny, pulsing form.

Roslyn's breath caught as she gazed at the image. "Oh, it's so small!"

Dr. Kim chuckled. "And perfectly healthy! Your baby's measuring right on track—10 weeks and 2 days. Heart rate's strong, 160 beats per minute."

As Dr. Kim continued the examination, Roslyn watched, mesmerized, as the baby's tiny heart beat steadily.

"Look, Roslyn, your baby's heartbeat is nice and strong," Dr. Kim exclaimed, pointing to the screen.

Tears pricked at the corners of Roslyn's eyes. "It's amazing."

Dr. Kim smiled. "You're doing great, mom-to-be. The baby's development is textbook perfect. I'll prescribe some prenatal vitamins to ensure you and your baby stay healthy."

Relief washed over Roslyn. "Thank you, Dr. Kim. Just knowing everything's okay... it means so much."

Dr. Kim patted Roslyn's hand. "You're welcome, dear. We'll monitor your progress closely. Any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out."

As Roslyn dressed and prepared to leave, Dr. Kim handed her a printout of the ultrasound image.

"For the baby book," Dr. Kim said with a wink.

Roslyn smiled, tucking the image into her purse, feeling a sense of wonder and awe.

"At 10 weeks, the baby's about the size of a strawberry," Dr. Kim explained. "But don't worry, they'll grow quickly!"

Roslyn's eyes widened. "That's incredible."

Dr. Kim's smile was warm. "You're going to be an amazing mom, Roslyn. Take care of yourself and that precious little one."

Roslyn's hand reached for the door handle, Chris burst into the room, a bouquet of sunflowers in hand, and a sheepish grin on his face.

"Sorry I'm late, boring meeting ran longer than expected," Chris said, leaning in to kiss Roslyn's forehead.

Dr. Rachel Kim's eyes sparkled with warmth as she observed the tender moment. Assuming Chris was the father, she smiled and said, "Your baby is perfect, and I'm sure dad here will be thrilled to hear all about it."

Chris's gaze drifted from Roslyn to Dr. Kim, and his eyes widened in appreciation. Dr. Kim's striking features left him momentarily breathless. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night, framing her heart-shaped face and piercing emerald green eyes.

However, Dr. Kim quickly realized her mistake and apologized, "I'm so sorry, I assumed..."

Dr. Kim's eyes flickered with understanding, and she smiled. "I see. Well, in any case, congratulations on becoming an uncle."

Chris's gaze lingered on Dr. Kim, and Roslyn sensed his attraction. She knew men's minds often wandered, and she intentionally emphasized "brother" to keep Chris's feelings in check.

With a gentle smile, Roslyn grabbed Chris's hand, leading him out of the office. "Let's go, Chris. We've got some celebrating to do."

As they exited, Dr. Kim's voice followed them, "Take care, Roslyn. And congratulations again."

Chris turned back, his eyes locking onto Dr. Kim's captivating smile. Roslyn's grip on his hand tightened, subtly reminding him to focus.

"Thanks, Doctor," Chris replied, his voice a little softer than intended.

Once outside, Roslyn leaned into Chris, her voice playful. "Hey, earth to Chris! You okay?"

Chris chuckled, shaking off the spell. "Yeah, sorry, Rose. Just... wow."

Roslyn's laughter filled the air, and she tucked her hand into Chris's elbow. "Let's get coffee and celebrate. I'll fill you in on everything."

Chris grinned, his eyes still holding a hint of distraction. "Sounds perfect, Rose."

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