ZORA I paid the cab driver and hurried into the compound. I rushed to prepare dinner for my husband because it was our anniversary and his birthday.I had decided to cook his special meal as part of his birthday gift. I wanted to show him how much I loved him and how happy I was that he married me.Zayn, a famous billionaire who ran the multimillion-dollar firm he inherited from his father, and I had been married for three years. We married a year after graduating from college.Although Zayn hadn't been the best husband over the past three years, I kept hoping for his change.The lack of a child contributed to his sudden change. We had visited many medical places, but it seemed we weren’t doing something right. However, today I felt excited because I had a special surprise: a hospital report showing I was one month pregnant!We lived in a sophisticated villa in Southampton City, surrounded by servants and luxury. Despite that, I always preferred to cook his meals myself because I wan
ZoraI tried to hold myself together so I wouldn’t pass out from heartbreak, but the more I tried to stay calm and forget the situation, the more I remembered everything about Zayn that caused me even more pain.I went to my room and reached for my phone, disregarding the buzz it had made earlier. I turned on the mobile connection and opened my favorite social media platform, where I watched funny reels and memes. I wanted to keep myself busy with that so I could more easily forget the heart-wrenching betrayal.However, with each video I scrolled through, regardless of how funny and interesting it was, the only thing I could see and visualize was the scene of what had just transpired between me and Zayn a few minutes earlier.After struggling for almost twenty minutes on the platform, trying to engage with those videos, I finally logged out and flung my phone back on the couch, unable to stop the thoughts of my husband.The fact that he had just left without telling me his whereabouts
What happened, Daisy?" I asked her as she stared at the phone screen for a while after answering the call."Oh, it's my husband. He said he's returning tonight," Daisy replied and forced a smile at me."Alright. Let's wait for him then," I replied, sitting up so I wouldn't fall asleep."No, dear. You should sleep. He'll come late because their flight hasn't even taken off. He would have to call me when he's back," she replied."Alright then. Hopefully, he comes back safely. Goodnight," I responded and went to bed. A few minutes later, after going through her phone, Daisy went to their marital bedroom to sleep as well.I woke up after hearing some noise, and it was coming from the kitchen. I reached for my phone and powered it on. It was then that it dawned on me that it was already morning and that it was Daisy's maids who were making the sound in the kitchen as they were cooking.I rose from the bed and walked into the restroom to wash my face before strolling out to meet Daisy and he
ZORAW-What do you mean by that statement, Zayn? Tell me it's a prank," I stuttered, completely stunned as my husband introduced the lady to us.The audacity stabbed deeply into my chest. How could he be so bold to say that to us?"Don't act surprised, Zora. It's nothing new, is it? You already knew there's no love in our union, but you overlooked it, forcing things that are not meant to be," Zayn remarked, worsening the pain I'm feeling."No, Zayn. There is love. I have loved you and will always do. What is it that I'm not doing right, Zayn?" I stuttered, my voice weak."Yes, I know, Zora. But haven't you asked yourself if it's the same for me too? Come on, it has been a one-sided love. You should be grateful because I made it open to you that I'm no longer interested instead of keeping you in the marriage to torment you," he said, his voice bold and exuding authority.My throat felt so dry upon hearing that. Even Blake and Daisy, my friend, were shocked to their marrow as well. The t
ZORA"What are you doing, Zora?" Daisy asked me as she approached. Her face was laced with disappointment."At least accept the offer. You can't just spend three years with him only to leave with nothing. Please rethink. Go back and collect those documents," she urged me."I really understand you, Daisy, but I'm not interested in the offer. I loved Zayn with my whole heart and not because of his status. Please just let me have my way to my room so I could get my things and leave."Hearing this, Daisy couldn't help but coldly walk out of the way for me."I really appreciate your kindness towards me, but I'm not really interested in any of his offers," I told her and proceeded to my room while she sluggishly left.A few minutes later, I was done packing my luggage, and I stormed out of the room, heading downstairs to leave the house.Upon walking down, Daisy and her husband weren't there anymore. Zayn and Paige were the only ones who remained, as they were busy playing lovebirds and disc
It's been three weeks since I moved into Daisy's home, and I must say they are the best humans I've met on this earth. They made me forget about my marriage crash and showered me with love and care.I felt valued and happy, more than when I was with Zayn. However, since I had no job, I always felt like a burden to them, even though Daisy would tell me not to worry about it.At one point, her husband promised to secure me a job in one of his companies, which would take some months, if not a year, after they had made some rearrangements.However, I decided to start a part-time job at one of the top restaurants in the city while waiting for the opportunity.Today started off hectic for me due to my pregnancy issue. I wasn't feeling well, but I decided to manage and go to work since I hadn't requested leave yesterday.My senior colleagues and boss might think I intentionally chose not to come to work.As I walked in and went to the dressing room to put on my uniform, a colleague knocked on
Five Years Later"Mommy, are you not going to work today?" I could hear my daughter ask while I was sleeping.I slowly opened my eyes, and there she was, trying to put on her school clothes. A smile forced its way across my lips as I saw the effort she was putting into dressing herself but couldn't.I glanced at the clock and panicked in shock, "Oh my goodness." I never knew it was already 7:30 a.m."I instantly jumped out of bed and took her to the restroom for a shower. I had worked so stressfully yesterday that I couldn't wake up early today, as usual, to prepare for work and drive my kid to school.A few minutes later, I finished bathing her and dressed her quickly before we headed to the garage to go to her school."Mommy, remember you promised to take me to the amusement park today after school? Are you still going to fulfill it?" She asked while I was driving."Of course,
Just then, a knock came on the door."Yes, who's there?" he asked, but no one responded. This infuriated Mr. Jason, and he sighed in annoyance, then turned and focused on me."I'm sorry, I guess I have started hallucinating."I chuckled in amusement. "Not at all, sir. I also heard the knock. Let's assume it's caused by the breeze. You know your office is the last on this floor," I replied, and he responded with a smile."So, like I was saying, you'll tell me the secret of this sudden beauty of yours. You're becoming more beautiful daily," he went on, causing me to blush."If you say so, sir. By the way, I applied some facial blush; maybe that's what's confusing you.""I'm old enough to differentiate lush beauty and natural beauty," he insisted, staring at me with admiration.I couldn't help but fix my gaze on the desk, as I was too shy to glare at him anymore."In honesty, your beauty is one of the key factors I don't miss work anymore."I couldn't help but start twitching my fingers i
ZAYN —I was disappointed to notice it was Nicholas, my secretary, so I just hissed and left him without uttering a word.It really hurts seeing how deeply in love Zora is with that man. From initiating a kiss in front of me to fighting for him, daring not to tolerate it from me if I harass him again."Mr. Zayn. I really do understand how you're feeling. You want her back, but does she want you?" Nicholas stated as he walked over to me, frightening me because I never expected him to follow me up because of the topic."If you eventually win her back with materialistic things, do you think the union will last? I think she has lost her feelings for you, and the best thing to do is to move on," he added."I just feel like strangling that man to death for being an obstacle to me, Nick. I don't mind hiring a hit squad for him, and I'm serious," I remarked gruffly, my voice dripping with disdain, and it was barely audible while gritting my teeth and clenching my fists into tight balls."But
ZAYN —"Yes, there's a problem with that. There's absolutely a problem with what you both were doing," I replied back to that idiot.How I wish he knew how much I despise him; he wouldn't have dared question me for interrupting them."I'm yet to figure out how Zora got fooled by you. You won't know there's something wrong in what you both were doing because you were badly raised, you miserable bastard," I added, gritting my teeth as I awaited him to respond so I could fire him more insults."Enough!" Zora yelled. "Enough of this, Zayn. I might tolerate your harassment towards me, but standing in front of me to harass my man is the last thing I would condone," Zora reverberated, pissing me off.I thought I had seen it all, but seeing Zora defend this worthless man compared to my status screams that Zora might not get back to me.I've come to realize that I'm just wasting my time trying to get her from the way she had just defended this man as if her life depended on him.Jason sighed a
That evening, I had finished packing and was now waiting for Jason to arrive with his car, along with our daughter—yes, with our daughter—to pick me up for Northville.While waiting for them, I turned on the television to keep myself busy with my favorite news channel. Not long, I saw an image of Zayn attached at the upper right corner, and I paid closer attention to it to know why Zayn appeared in the news.As usual, he always appears in the news, but this doesn't seem pleasing.News Broadcaster: "Popular billionaire business mogul auctions his multimillion-dollar company as he faces bankruptcy."I exhaled deeply after the news broadcaster narrated the news.I couldn't help but chuckle because I knew the reason for his action.He's trying to sell off his properties so he won't have anything to share with Paige when they officially divorce."Well, that's his problem. He created it for himself, so let him face it," I sighed, picking up my phone to call Jason to find out why he hadn't a
I exhaled a deep sigh and gazed at his face for a few seconds before swallowing the lump in my throat."I don't know who gave you the advice that you could win me back by adding pressure despite my threats.""If this gift is solely for business reasons to make my work easier, I have no problem with it, and I would appreciate it greatly. However, if it has to do with my past marriage with you, I'm sorry, I don't need a car. Thank you for reminding me of my miserable marriage with you. Hope you're satisfied now."I hissed and turned to leave, but Zayn grabbed me by my wrists."How are you going to embarrass me in the presence of my workers? At least save me some shame, Zora," he whispered into my ear.I chuckled wryly, and a smirk replaced it."Of course, that's what you wanted. For you to gather them here, you want them to witness everything that will happen, don't you?" I said, and he creased his forehead in astonishment."I should have yelled this so they could hear it, but like you s
The next day, being Friday, I woke up earlier than usual to prepare for work and also get my luggage ready as I would be traveling back to Northville City today because it was already the weekend—the long-awaited day has finally approached.After taking a bath, I was about to get dressed and leave to board a cab to the office when I noticed my phone ringing.I rushed to the sitting room where I had left it at night after having the conversation with Daisy. I was so drowsy that I couldn't even think of my phone but managed to go to my room to sleep.However, upon getting to the sitting room, I was disappointed to see that Zayn was the one calling me.I ignored him and left to continue dressing up.After a few minutes, I was done dressing and left for the office.However, upon arrival, I noticed the company was kind of scanty."What happened? Where are the rest of the staff of this place?" I wondered, gazing around to see at least one person, but everywhere was empty.Does it mean that
"But I'm curious, Zora. How sure are you that Jason hasn't been doing all this just to hit? I don't trust him. He seems to be a player," Blake raised a topic."Don't say that, Blake. Jason is such a good guy. If his intention towards me wasn't genuine, he would have stopped being kind towards me and my child long ago, especially the moment I declined his proposal at first," I remarked, defending Jason.Daisy immediately nudged him with her elbow. "It seems you and Zayn are birds of the same feather. Don't be surprised if Zora kicks you off from this call," she warned him, but Blake ended up laughing, infuriating me.Witnessing this, Daisy burst into laughter. "That serves him right. It's good he's revealing his true colors so we know how we dish out some certain information about you to him," she said, standing up from her seat to change position."Absolutely. He's working for Zayn," I added."He better not get himself involved in Zayn's deep shit. Unless he doesn't like the way I sti
ZORA —"Don't tell me he has found out, Blake. Did he? How did he find out?" I asked incessantly, worried about the news as Blake told me what he had discussed with Zayn while on a video call with him and his wife, Daisy, in the evening."Calm down, Zora. It's nothing to worry about. After all, he's yet to know the child is his, so nothing happened," Blake said, trying to comfort me."How? Who would he think the child belongs to then if not him?" I asked him, running my hand through my hair as I felt my long-held secret had been exposed."From what Blake told me, Zayn thought Jason was the baby daddy. Relax, Zora. He hasn't found out," Daisy chipped in.I exhaled a deep sigh, bent my head, and fixed my gaze on the floor. "But why would you let him know about that? How could you let that slip out of your mouth?" I asked, feeling betrayed.It was only the three of us that knew I was pregnant for Zayn before leaving Southampton City. Unless recently, I made it known to Jason that Zayn is
"If that were the case, Blake, I think it would be better," I said, ruffling my hair as I felt my world crumbling apart."Can you calm down, Zayn? Calm down and tell me what the problem is," Blake said, trying to help my situation."Blake, is there any other problem I have aside from getting Zora back? Why do you sound like a novice? For goodness' sake, I've lost her, Blake. It's all lost," I screamed in anger, heading to the parking lot so I could hide in my car and cry out my frustration where none of my staff would see me."What do you mean by that statement, Zayn? You lost who?" He asked, feeling surprised."Tell me you're joking, Zayn, because it hasn't even been long since I spoke with her, and I could tell you that there was progress. You just need to keep seducing her and adding pressure.""I did everything...""So what went wrong? What did you do this time to warrant this sudden reaction from her?" He asked with a reprimanded tone."That's what I can't answer for now, Zayn. I
ZAYN —"Calm down, Zora," I took a deep breath, fixing my gaze directly into her charming eyes."Why are you here? What do you want from me, Zayn? I thought I told you something in my office earlier today."I sighed, taking a few steps back as I sensed her fear. "What if you believed me, Zora? What if you believed that I had changed? Would you accept me back? What would it take to make you believe me?" I asked her softly.I could feel her cool breath on my face, her alluring scent enveloping me, making it hard to concentrate. Her blue eyes kept drawing me closer to her.Suddenly, she regained her composure and let out a sigh. "Well, I also wish it could be possible, at least for the sake of your replica, but it's too late.""Late? How? And what do you mean by my replica? Since when did I have a replica?" I asked, furrowing my brow."Yes, it's already late, Zayn. I'm already dating," she stated, causing my expression to darken instantly."And about the replica, don't dwell on it too muc