Chapter 1 ~ Ruined Anniversary

"Rose, did Ethan and you divorce? I've just seen him on the news. It says he went to pick up the love of his life.” Natalie, Rose's best friend asked.

“What are you talking about?” Rose half laughed. 

“Girl, turn on the news. Now!” Natalie said and cut the line.

Rose was sure there was some sort of mistake but when she rushed to the sitting room and turned on the TV, her knees felt weak and her heart sank to her feet.

Sure enough, pictures of her husband and a very beautiful woman were trending. The pictures showed how Ethan was looking at the woman with a gentle gaze. With his hand on her waist.

Rose's heart sank even further as she felt like someone was pricking her with needles.

'He's never looked at me that way,' she mused.

Reporters had surrounded them as questions were thrown their way, 

“What a beautiful couple, is she the mysterious wife you've kept hidden Mr.Sinclair?” One reporter asked.

“You two suit each other! A match made in heaven. Do you have any plans for your third anniversary?” Another asked.

“When-” Rose took the remote and turned off the TV before the third question could be asked. 

“Beautiful couple?” She repeated the words that tasted like sand on her tongue.

She walked back to the dining table and sat with tears falling down her face while she rubbed her stomach where life was growing inside her. 

 After three years of being married, she was finally pregnant and her heart was swelling with joy. She planned to share the news with Ethan today. But now, her heart felt broken, It felt like an iron fist had reached inside her and began to squeeze her poor heart. 

Rose knew Ethan never loved her as much as she did or even half of how much she loved him. She knew Zoe was always the woman he loved since they were young. But since she married Ethan and Zoe went abroad, they had become closer in the past three years.

Rose didn't understand why Zoe decided to return on their third anniversary. Just as Rose was lost in her thoughts, the door unlocked and Ethan walked in.

Ethan placed the car keys on the table before facing her, “ It's so late, why haven't you slept yet?” He asked.

“I've been waiting for you,” Rose responded.

“Why were you waiting for me?” Ethan asked.

Ethan's brows met in confusion until his eyes landed on the neatly placed wine glasses and the food which was still untouched and that was when it hit him.

It was their anniversary and he had returned home late and empty-handed. He looked guilty as he stepped closer to Rose,

 “I'm so sorry Rose. It must have slipped my mind. I was too busy today, I'll buy a gift to make it up to you.”

Rose couldn't believe it, he was being so casual like he wasn't late for their important day and worse off, as if he didn't choose to spend time with another woman on their special day. She pressed her lips into a thin line and looked at him,

“I saw the news. You were picking up another woman, Ethan! Today of all days?” She asked, her voice cracking with emotions.

Ethan hesitated for a few seconds and continued,

 “Zoe just landed and I met her by chance as I was checking on our new project. She complained about her driver having trouble getting to her on time.  So I dropped her off at the hotel.” he explained as he held her hands into his.

Rose softened, her broken heart beginning to function once again. 'I guess it was only a misunderstanding.’ 

‘I’ll make it up to you.” His gray eyes softened and melted all the anger she had from earlier.

She nodded with a smile, “Okay,” She whispered and he squeezed her hand one more time before pulling away. Her heart was pounding hard against her chest as she looked at the zip bag where the positive pregnancy test was,

“I have something to tell you,” She smiled, “I’m-” Her sentence was cut off by the vibrating of Ethan’s phone.

He put a hand up to stop her from speaking as he swiped right, “Hello?” 

Ethan’s phone volume was loud enough for Rose to hear the other end, “Ethan!” Zoe cried on the phone, “I’m so scared!”

“Did something happen?” Ethan asked, a concern laced in his voice. The concern that Rose longed for, the affection that he had never shown her even once during their three years of marriage.

“I need you, please come over.” Zoe continued to cry and before Rose knew what was happening, Ethan was already picking up the car keys he had placed on the table,

 “Let’s talk later.” He said to her and walked away.

Rose ran after him, her heart in pain. Tears falling on her face, “Ethan!” She cried. Grabbing onto his arm.

“Rose, I don’t have time for this.” He pulled his arm away from her roughly making her stumble backward a little...

“Ethan, please! Please don’t leave me, not tonight! “ Rose begged, 

“I’m not leaving you, I’m just checking on Zoe. She’s afraid of the dark and there has been a power cut. I’ll be back as soon as it’s fixed.” Ethan explained and Rose laughed through her tears.

Like she had not heard him correctly, “You’re leaving me alone on our anniversary because Zoe is afraid of the dark?” She asked, the sentence sounding even more ridiculous when she repeated it.

But Ethan didn’t even respond as he walked out the door.

Rose stood there watching the door as if expecting him to jump right back in. With tears falling down her face, she walked back to her room and sat still staring at the wall, her mind was blank and all she could feel was pain.