Chapter 1

CARA

“Happy fifth anniversary, Darling.” 

A small smile formed on my lips as I sat atop my sleeping husband who I was trying to wake up with kisses and wishes of our anniversary.

 Today marked our five years of marriage and I was intent to change how things have been going between us for the past two years.

 “Sweetie, wake up. It’s our anniversary!” I called again, trying to rouse him.

 My husband’s eyes fluttered open with a slight confusion shining in his brown eyes and I smiled. I always loved how dazed he was when he woke up from sleep. It made him look cute.

 “What’s going on?” he asked, yawning and rubbing his sleepy eyes.

 “It’s our anniversary!” I announced happily.

 Henry’s face transformed into a sour expression as he pushed me off him, standing up with a scowl. 

“What is wrong with you?” he snapped at me.

 I was confused, “What happened? Did I do something?” 

“What anniversary are you celebrating, huh? Five years of barrenness?” he queried, “It’s just another year to celebrate how unfortunate I am to be with you.”

I felt a sharp pain slice through my heart at his words as I held back the tears that clouded my eyes. My husband and I have been trying for a child for two years now but nothing so far.

Despite going to various hospitals and them confirming we were in good health my husband still blamed me for my inability to give him a child. Since then our marriage has been slowly distant and lacks communication. He always found a way to remind me of my shortcomings. 

“We’ve come this far, love, I’m sure having a child won’t be a problem,” I manage to say with a smile as I walk up to him, placing my hands on his chest, “Especially if we invest time in it.”

I gave him a coy smile as I angled my head, waiting for him to kiss me. However, he shoved me away from him callously as I landed on the bed with a thud. 

“Oh please, I don't fertilize barren land. There's no point wasting my seed on infertile soil.”

 With those harsh words, Henry stormed into the bathroom. I bit down on my lips hard, drawing blood so I wouldn't cry. I know how he hates it when I cry. He'd say I was emotionally blackmailing him.

 Ten minutes later he stepped out of the shower fully dressed. He grabbed his briefcase and left the room like he was running away from me.

 I didn't have time to ask him anything because at that moment I felt a wave of nausea hit me. I rushed into the bathroom and I barely got to the sink before I started throwing up my guts.

I puked everything I had eaten the previous night until my stomach was empty. Then I sat down on the floor tiredly after wiping my mouth, I heard a soft knock on the door. 

“Come in,” I called out tiredly.

 The door opened and a beautiful blonde with blue eyes stepped into my room. It was my husband’s younger sister, Jade. She had been overseas for a long time but she returned two years ago.

 She started living with us a year ago and I loved it because it was at that period that Henry became distant and it made it possible for me to bond with her and not have to start looking for friends outside who would mock me.

Jade was very kind and sometimes I wondered how she could be related to Henry who acted cold toward me. She always cooked for me and kept me company when she wasn't working in Henry’s company.

“What’s wrong?” Jade asked, removing my hair from my face.

“I… I feel so weak suddenly,” I groaned, tiredly.

Jade massaged my neck as she helped me stand up. I rinsed off my mouth and she led me into the bedroom.

“When did this start?” Jade asked me.

“Just now, after your brother left,” I answered.

Jade smacked her forehead, “Happy anniversary, girl! I'm so sorry I forgot, got caught up with stuff.”

I smiled warmly at her, tears filling my eyes, she's the only one who’s wished me since Henry made a mockery of me and left.

 “Thank you so much, Jade, I'm so glad you're here,” I said, through tears.

 Suddenly I felt nauseous and I ran into the bathroom again as I threw up my guts. By the time I was done I was already exhausted.

 Jade gave me water and I rinsed my mouth. She stared at me suspiciously and frowned.

 “When did you do a pregnancy test last?” she asked suddenly.

 I sighed, “I’ve been doing it but nothing. Why?”

 Jade left my room immediately leaving me standing in the middle of the rain confused and exhausted. Barely two minutes passed and she returned with a pregnancy test strip.

 “Check now,” Jade urged me.

 I hesitated, “It’s probably that I caught flu or something. Maybe from what I ate –”

 “Check!” Jade snapped impatiently, scaring me.

I frowned, I had never seen her like this before. It seemed like she was a different person. But her face slowly changed into a smile as she stared at me. 

“Please check, sister, let’s be certain,” she said in a calm voice.

 I nodded and took the strip. I peed in a cup when I entered the bathroom. As I put the strip in the cup my heartbeat increased. Thirty seconds later and two lines appeared.

 A scream escaped my lips as Jade ran inside. She demanded I do the test thrice. All four sticks had two lines.

“Oh my gosh, I'm pregnant!” I exclaimed, happily. 

“Yes, you are,” Jade smiled.

 “I need to be certain. A blood test at the hospital. Oh my gosh! I'll take the result to Henry. He's going to be so happy. We can celebrate our anniversary now, oh dear, what am I going to do if it’s not true –” I rambled until Jade interrupted me. 

“Calm down, Cara, take a shower and I’ll ask the maids to bring you food and a tea to help with the nasuase. I'll join you to go to the hospital,” Jade said. 

I smiled gratefully at her, “Thank you so much, Jade. I don't know what I would have done without you.” 

Jade left and I took a shower quickly, rushing to go to the hospital. Scared that if I waste any second it will mean the test was a false positive. 

The maids brought sandwich and a cup of tea. I downed the tea and left the sandwich. I stood up and headed out of my room, ready to go since Jade was waiting downstairs already.

However, at the top of the stairs a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. I swayed slightly as I grabbed the edge of the railings. I took a step and the dizziness came back again.

I blinked as my eyes struggled to close on its own. I took the second step and missed as I rolled down three flights of stairs, my hands secured around my stomach as I screamed.

When I finally got to the bottom of the stairs the servants and Jade had gathered. The last thing I remembered seeing was the blood trickling down my legs. 

“My baby…” I mumbled before the darkness swallowed me up.