Sophia stood in the kitchen, her heart racing because she's so excited even though she can't control her anxieties."Hmm...did I still forget something?" She glanced at the clock, its hands ticking slowly, taunting her with each passing second. Today was supposed to be special—the day she shared her pregnancy news with Julian, the man she loved. She envisioned the evening as a celebration. She already thinks that it can be a moment that would draw them closer together, to reignite the spark that had dimmed in their marriage over the past few months.The aroma of roasted chicken filled the air, mingling with the sweet scent of her homemade lemon rosemary sauce. The vibrant colors of the sautéed vegetables—bright bell peppers, green zucchini, and rich purple eggplant—decorated the plate, creating a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. "For sure, he'll like it!"Sophia placed the final touches on the table, folding the linen napkins into delicate shapes and lighting the candles.
“I’ll handle it, I promise. Just give me some time,” Julian continued, his voice steady but Sophia can sense like there's something wrong going on. Sophia felt her stomach drop as realization hit her. Something was terribly wrong. She pressed her back against the railing, her breath hitching in her throat. This wasn’t just about the pregnancy; there was a secret lurking in their marriage, one that threatened to shatter the fragile hope she had tried to build tonight. Tears blurred her vision as she turned away from the balcony. Fear and anger swirling inside her. She felt betrayed.She couldn’t let this go unaddressed. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for the confrontation that was sure to come. But for now, she felt lost, standing there alone.Sophia slipped back inside. The table was still beautifully set, the food still warm, but the warmth of the moment had long since faded. She caught Julian’s eye as he hung up the phone, his expression was unreadable. “Julian,” she
Sophia stood in the middle of the living room, as Julian walked in casually, as if nothing was wrong. He didn’t even glance at her, moving toward the couch and picking up the remote. The calmness in his demeanor only fueled the fire burning inside her.“Julian,” she said, her voice sharp, cutting through the silence, but he didn’t look up. “What is it now, Sophia?”“What is it now?” she repeated, incredulous. "I-I see it through my o-own eyes. I know about your other woman.” His eyes flicked up to meet hers, but there was no shock, no shame—just indifference.“So?” he said flatly, as if she had just told him the sky was blue.“So?” Sophia’s voice rose, a mix of disbelief and rage already awakening inside of her. “You’re cheating on me, Julian! You have the nerve to act like it’s nothing? Gosh! We are married!" He sighed, leaning back on the couch, finally putting the remote down. “I’m not going to do this with you right now.”“Oh, we’re doing this right now!” she snapped, steppin
Sophia sat on the edge of her bed, the weight of Julian’s betrayal still heavy on her chest. She glanced at her phone, scrolling through her contacts as the silence of the house enveloped her. It was like a suffocating blanket, and she felt desperate for some air, some connection. But how could she call anyone? Who would understand? Who wouldn’t judge her for the mess her life had become?With a deep breath, she finally hit “call” on her best friend, Jamella. The phone rang, while her eyes began watering. After what felt like an eternity, Jamella picked up.“Hey, Sophia! It’s so good to hear from you!” Jamella's voice was bright and cheerful, and she thinks that her friend doesn't have any idea about what she's going through right now.“Hey, Jamella.." Sophia replied, forcing a smile into her voice. “Can we talk?”“Of course! What’s going on?” There was a sudden shift in Jamella’s tone, her concerns are now evident through the phone. Sophia took a shaky breath.“It’s... it’s Julian.
Sophia and Jamella continued to strategize. Sophia glanced at the clock again; the ticking felt louder now. “Okay,” she said, her voice stronger than before. “Let’s write down what I need to say. I want to be clear about everything.” Jamella nodded, pulling out a notepad and pen. “Start with how you feel. Be honest. You’ve bottled this up for too long.” Sophia bit her lip, thinking about her words carefully. “I want to tell him how betrayed I feel, how this isn’t just about the affair—it’s about the trust we built. And now, I find out he’s stealing from me?” Jamella scribbled down her thoughts. “Good. That’s important. And then maybe focus on your pregnancy—how you’re trying to build a family. Remind him that his actions affect not just you, but the baby too.” A wave of emotion washed over Sophia. The thought of her child—innocent—was both a source of strength and sadness. “You’re right. I want him to understand that I’m not just fighting for myself; I’m fighting for ou
Sophia stood in front of the mirror, taking a deep breath as she adjusted the neckline of her dress. She had chosen the red one, the one that hugged her curves just right, hoping it would remind Julian of the passionate nights they used to share. This was her chance to reignite the connection they once had, to show him that she was still the woman he fell in love with. “Tonight is going to be different,” she whispered to herself, forcing a smile. As she walked into the living room, she found Julian sprawled on the couch, his eyes glued to his phone. The glow of the screen cast a harsh light on his face, and for a moment, she hesitated. He seemed so distant, so preoccupied. “Julian,” she called softly, trying to keep her tone light. He barely looked up. “What?” “I thought we could have a special dinner tonight,” she suggested, hoping to catch his interest. “Just the two of us.” “Not really in the mood,” he muttered, scrolling through his messages. Sophia felt a pang of disap
“I have a business trip to attend,” he said. “And I’ll be with Vanessa.” He didn't even hesitate to state the words. “You’re choosing her over me?” she asked, disbelief is washing over her. “After everything we’ve been through?” “It’s not about choice; it’s about what I want,” “And I want to be free of this.” The room felt like it was closing in on her, and she struggled to catch her breath. “But what about our marriage? What about the baby?” Julian’s expression didn’t waver. “I’ll take care of the baby, like what I'd said before. But don’t expect me to stick around.” Sophia felt the tears stream down her face, her heart breaking further with every word he spoke. “So you’re just going to walk away?” “I’m not walking away; I’m moving forward,” he said, the words cold and final. “Moving forward?” “Is that what you call this?” “It’s what I call taking control of my life,” he replied, turning to grab his suitcase from the corner. Sophia immediately tried to grab Julian'
The next day, Sophia who's trying to make her day a little bit far from stress froze as the front door creaked open. She recognized the low murmur of Julian’s voice, and for a brief moment, her heart fluttered with hope, only for it to plummet as another voice followed—a soft, flirtatious laugh that belonged unmistakably to Vanessa. There they were, standing in her home, laughing together as if they didn’t have a care in the world. Julian held Vanessa’s hand, his eyes alight with the same warmth that Sophia hadn’t seen in months. Her stomach twisted in knots, but she forced herself to stand taller, refusing to let the anger and hurt show. They barely noticed her, too engrossed in each other, until she cleared her throat. Julian’s eyes finally landed on her, but instead of the shame or guilt she’d expected, there was only annoyance. “Sophia, why are you standing there?” he snapped, his tone is sharp. “I could ask the same of you,” she replied, voice barely concealing the contempt s
Sophia’s entire body felt both numb and heavy as she lay in her hospital bed. The exhaustion was overwhelming, yet the feeling of fulfillment glowed within her as she gazed down at the little face cradled in her arms. Her newborn was beautiful, with soft, chubby cheeks and dark eyes that blinked up at her, unaware of all the bullshits that her father did to his Mom. The room was quiet, save for the gentle breathing of her baby and the soft whispers of her friend, Jamella, and the man standing nearby—the man she now knew as her real father. Jamella leaned in. “Sophia… he looks just like you.” She gently brushed her fingers over the baby’s tiny hand, which instinctively curled around her finger. "He’s perfect." Sophia managed a tired smile, her gaze fixed on her son. “He’s the only thing that makes sense right now.” Jamella nodded, as she noticed Sophia glancing toward the doorway, as if expecting someone to appear. But the minutes ticked by, and still, the door remained clos
Sophia sat in the waiting area, feeling out of place in the elegant surroundings. The polished marble floors, leather couches, and modern art on the walls made everything feel foreign, too luxurious, almost surreal. Her fingers toyed with the strap of her purse as she fought back a mix of anxiety and curiosity. The door to the inner office finally opened, and a sharply dressed man stepped out. “Ms. Grant?” he said, extending a hand. “I’m Daniel Shaw. Thank you for coming in.” Sophia stood, her hand trembling slightly as she shook his. “Thank you for... contacting me. I’m still not entirely sure why I’m here.” Daniel offered a reassuring smile. “Please, come inside. We’ll go over everything.” As she entered the office. Everything felt like a world away from her life, her struggles. She took a seat across from the lawyer, eyeing the stack of files on his desk. Daniel settled into his chair, folding his hands neatly on the desk. “I can imagine you have a lot of questi
The next day, Sophia who's trying to make her day a little bit far from stress froze as the front door creaked open. She recognized the low murmur of Julian’s voice, and for a brief moment, her heart fluttered with hope, only for it to plummet as another voice followed—a soft, flirtatious laugh that belonged unmistakably to Vanessa. There they were, standing in her home, laughing together as if they didn’t have a care in the world. Julian held Vanessa’s hand, his eyes alight with the same warmth that Sophia hadn’t seen in months. Her stomach twisted in knots, but she forced herself to stand taller, refusing to let the anger and hurt show. They barely noticed her, too engrossed in each other, until she cleared her throat. Julian’s eyes finally landed on her, but instead of the shame or guilt she’d expected, there was only annoyance. “Sophia, why are you standing there?” he snapped, his tone is sharp. “I could ask the same of you,” she replied, voice barely concealing the contempt s
“I have a business trip to attend,” he said. “And I’ll be with Vanessa.” He didn't even hesitate to state the words. “You’re choosing her over me?” she asked, disbelief is washing over her. “After everything we’ve been through?” “It’s not about choice; it’s about what I want,” “And I want to be free of this.” The room felt like it was closing in on her, and she struggled to catch her breath. “But what about our marriage? What about the baby?” Julian’s expression didn’t waver. “I’ll take care of the baby, like what I'd said before. But don’t expect me to stick around.” Sophia felt the tears stream down her face, her heart breaking further with every word he spoke. “So you’re just going to walk away?” “I’m not walking away; I’m moving forward,” he said, the words cold and final. “Moving forward?” “Is that what you call this?” “It’s what I call taking control of my life,” he replied, turning to grab his suitcase from the corner. Sophia immediately tried to grab Julian'
Sophia stood in front of the mirror, taking a deep breath as she adjusted the neckline of her dress. She had chosen the red one, the one that hugged her curves just right, hoping it would remind Julian of the passionate nights they used to share. This was her chance to reignite the connection they once had, to show him that she was still the woman he fell in love with. “Tonight is going to be different,” she whispered to herself, forcing a smile. As she walked into the living room, she found Julian sprawled on the couch, his eyes glued to his phone. The glow of the screen cast a harsh light on his face, and for a moment, she hesitated. He seemed so distant, so preoccupied. “Julian,” she called softly, trying to keep her tone light. He barely looked up. “What?” “I thought we could have a special dinner tonight,” she suggested, hoping to catch his interest. “Just the two of us.” “Not really in the mood,” he muttered, scrolling through his messages. Sophia felt a pang of disap
Sophia and Jamella continued to strategize. Sophia glanced at the clock again; the ticking felt louder now. “Okay,” she said, her voice stronger than before. “Let’s write down what I need to say. I want to be clear about everything.” Jamella nodded, pulling out a notepad and pen. “Start with how you feel. Be honest. You’ve bottled this up for too long.” Sophia bit her lip, thinking about her words carefully. “I want to tell him how betrayed I feel, how this isn’t just about the affair—it’s about the trust we built. And now, I find out he’s stealing from me?” Jamella scribbled down her thoughts. “Good. That’s important. And then maybe focus on your pregnancy—how you’re trying to build a family. Remind him that his actions affect not just you, but the baby too.” A wave of emotion washed over Sophia. The thought of her child—innocent—was both a source of strength and sadness. “You’re right. I want him to understand that I’m not just fighting for myself; I’m fighting for ou
Sophia sat on the edge of her bed, the weight of Julian’s betrayal still heavy on her chest. She glanced at her phone, scrolling through her contacts as the silence of the house enveloped her. It was like a suffocating blanket, and she felt desperate for some air, some connection. But how could she call anyone? Who would understand? Who wouldn’t judge her for the mess her life had become?With a deep breath, she finally hit “call” on her best friend, Jamella. The phone rang, while her eyes began watering. After what felt like an eternity, Jamella picked up.“Hey, Sophia! It’s so good to hear from you!” Jamella's voice was bright and cheerful, and she thinks that her friend doesn't have any idea about what she's going through right now.“Hey, Jamella.." Sophia replied, forcing a smile into her voice. “Can we talk?”“Of course! What’s going on?” There was a sudden shift in Jamella’s tone, her concerns are now evident through the phone. Sophia took a shaky breath.“It’s... it’s Julian.
Sophia stood in the middle of the living room, as Julian walked in casually, as if nothing was wrong. He didn’t even glance at her, moving toward the couch and picking up the remote. The calmness in his demeanor only fueled the fire burning inside her.“Julian,” she said, her voice sharp, cutting through the silence, but he didn’t look up. “What is it now, Sophia?”“What is it now?” she repeated, incredulous. "I-I see it through my o-own eyes. I know about your other woman.” His eyes flicked up to meet hers, but there was no shock, no shame—just indifference.“So?” he said flatly, as if she had just told him the sky was blue.“So?” Sophia’s voice rose, a mix of disbelief and rage already awakening inside of her. “You’re cheating on me, Julian! You have the nerve to act like it’s nothing? Gosh! We are married!" He sighed, leaning back on the couch, finally putting the remote down. “I’m not going to do this with you right now.”“Oh, we’re doing this right now!” she snapped, steppin
“I’ll handle it, I promise. Just give me some time,” Julian continued, his voice steady but Sophia can sense like there's something wrong going on. Sophia felt her stomach drop as realization hit her. Something was terribly wrong. She pressed her back against the railing, her breath hitching in her throat. This wasn’t just about the pregnancy; there was a secret lurking in their marriage, one that threatened to shatter the fragile hope she had tried to build tonight. Tears blurred her vision as she turned away from the balcony. Fear and anger swirling inside her. She felt betrayed.She couldn’t let this go unaddressed. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for the confrontation that was sure to come. But for now, she felt lost, standing there alone.Sophia slipped back inside. The table was still beautifully set, the food still warm, but the warmth of the moment had long since faded. She caught Julian’s eye as he hung up the phone, his expression was unreadable. “Julian,” she