Justin hurried his footsteps outside just as after he saw from the screen that it was Regina calling. Cautiously avoiding letting me hear whatever conversation they would have.
Of course, I pretended I didn’t know it was her.
Following their conversation, Justin returned and promptly headed towards the walk-in closet adjacent to our bed to get some new clothes.
“Who called you just now?” I asked, pretending I was not aware it was Regina.
Anyone would easily say that I look so pathetic given how I actually tried to act like it’s fine when it’s not.
“There is something I need to see at the office.” Justin replied.
“In this early morning?” I asked with a soft grin on my face.
He was such a pretty bad liar. But even as a bad liar, I found myself always swayed by his figure that was just extremely perfect. His broad shoulders and his narrow waist. The muscles on Justin’s body were just the right amount, and he exuded sexiness. His extremely handsome appearance made him the dream lover of many women. Moreover, I would admit that this man was also good in bed.
After having sex for the entire night, Justin was called away by another woman early in the morning. And even though I knew that he was just lying to me, this feeling was very ridiculous.
“Some business matters doesn’t end at the strike of five, Margarette. You should know that by now, you’re married to a Montefalco. Our business are our blood, and we are the backbones of our business. I hope matters like this should never be questioned again.”
Although Justin’s tone may had been calm, I could still sense that he was pretty upset with me somehow.
“I’m sorry, Justin. I didn’t mean to ask—”
However, before I could even finish my apology, Justin promptly interrupted me. He then shifted the topic quickly by telling me, “I am sending my secretary to pick you up later, after lunch, to bring you to an ob-gyne. We needed to check if you’re truly pregnant.”
The way he wanted to know and assure himself that I am not truly pregnant made me almost want to roll my eyes. Good thing I still remembered that he was my husband, and that I shouldn’t ever do that to him.
However, it just upset me knowing that even though I am his wife, in the end, he still didn’t trust me and was afraid that I would lie to him.
I kind of feel saddened at the fact that Justin doesn’t trust me. He probably was thinking that I was only lying about not being pregnant so that I could hide this child and use it against him in the future. I found it absurd and pathetic of him.
Yet in the end, I knew that I had to comply anyway. “Yes.” I nodded obediently and didn’t refuse.
“Oh right, find a time to tell Grandma. Don’t forget.” Justin’s voice was still gentle, but there was no warmth at all.
And it left me slightly stunned. “Grandma’s health hasn’t been good recently. Are you sure you’re going to tell her so soon?”
Justin said calmly, “Yes, I don’t want Regina to bear the burden of being known as a mistress here.”
As long as we aren’t divorce, Regina would always be a mistress in our marriage. She was already an illegitimate daughter. If she were to be condemned as a mistress, she might not be able to take it.
He even disregarded Grandma’s health just to make Regina feel better. For the sake of his true love, Justin was quite cold-blooded.
Knowing that, I could tell that I have no match for Regina in Justin’s heart.
And all that I could end up doing now was simply smile and answer in a soft voice, “Okay, but I have to get ready too. Can you give me a few days?”
Justin leaned over and kissed my forehead gently. Following that, justin said softly, “Sure, but don’t disappoint me.”
His gentleness was like a knife that was slowly cutting my heart into pieces.
The smile I showed Justin was filled with bitterness, and yet, in spite of that, I doubt he’d even pay it any mind.
“Why would I? Haven’t I been obedient enough in the past three years? Have I ever made you angry?” I finally let out what was inside my thoughts without thinking of its consequences.
And Justin’s expression darkened with mixed emotions.
Indeed, as a wife, be it in daily life or in bed, I was impeccable. Especially in bed. No matter what outrageous request Justin made, I would agree to it and always cooperate with him while enjoying the pleasure. Most especially every single time he couldn’t bear to stop.
“Yes, it’s good that you know.” Justin retracted his thoughts to prevent himself from feeling more reluctant the more he thought about it.
Following that, Justin simply picked up his coat and left the room.
As I sat alone on the bed and looked at the empty room, it made me suddenly wondered was this going to end?
Then I smiled bitterly. “In the future, this room and this bed would have a new host. And it won’t be me.” I whispered in hushed tone while stroking the soft velvet bed I’m lying on.
After trying my best to calm down, I eventually stood up, took a shower, and changed into a set of elegant clothes before preparing to go see grandmother.
Unexpectedly, the Secretary was already standing by the car and waiting for me the moment I stepped out. I quickly changed from my usual obedient and sensible self as I rolled my eyes.
“What are you doing here?” I asked dryly even though I already knew why Claude, Justin’s secretary was here.
Claude simply smiled in return that it was making me feel like I wanted to disobey and run away from this man.
Although I always acted obediently in front of Justin, my feisty character shows in front of others whenever Justin was out of sight.
“President Justin asked me to bring you to the OB-Gyne clinic today, Ma’am,” he replied politely.
I knew I couldn’t win from Claude anyway so I opened the car door angrily. “Fine, I’ll go and see the OB-Gyne as you all wish!”
Acex Medical Hospital was the best hospital in the city and was ranked top three in the country. Of course, it was the most expensive. Justin would never send his wife to a cheap clinic.
And while I am still Mrs. Montefalco, it would only be fair to take advantage of these privileges as Justin’s wife.
Acex Medical Hospital was also a personal choice of mine since I trusted this hospital, knowing that this was the hospital from where my parents used to work and where I was born too.
When I was a very young kid, I remember that I would often come to Acex with my parents to play. The nurses and doctors there were very kind to me as they would play with me during their breaks while my parents were on duty. Whenever my parents were busy, they would help watch over me and take good care of me.
Even as I got older, the senior doctors and staff there still knows me and I know that if I communicate with them regarding about my pregnancy, they might consider working with me somehow to hide this pregnancy from Justin.
By the time that Claude and I were able to reach the hospital, Claude was being stubborn into following me around.
“Are you seriously going to follow me still? Even if I go to the women’s bathroom? Won’t you at least give me a little space?”
“Forgive me, Ma’am. President Justin’s strict orders is to escort you closely until we reach the gynecology department.”
Claude’s answer, however gave me an idea. “Did you say you’ll just escort me until we reach the gynecology department, right? So does this mean I would expect you not to come inside the clinic with me. I don’t wish other people to think you’re my husband. Justin would never like to know that.”
My words were more like a threat for Claude and he swiftly nod back to agree with me. “Of course, Ma’am.”
I simply leave things like that since I would have a more private conversation with the gynecologist without Claude entering the clinic with me.
That’s why when we both reached the front door of the clinic, I immedaitely faced Claude and pushed him outward, “Stop and stay here.” I told him.
Claude simply looked at the large OB-Gyne sign at the door and an awkward expression flashed across his face. He could only reply, “I’ll wait for you here then, Ma’am. Please call me right away when you’re through.”
I left Claude without answering him and I could tell from the last look on his face that he seemed to be confused why Justin would sent his secretary rather than him to accompany me at the gynecologist.
I couldn’t blame him, of course, we’re husband and wife, it would only be fair that Justin would be with me. But since Regina was way more important, I had already expected that he would treat me this way.
As soon as I stepped inside the clinic, I was instanted escorted by the gynecologist’s secretary to see my doctor who also happened to be my aunt. “Margarette is that really you? I thought you were someone with the same name!”
I simply smiled after seeing my Aunt Lou. “It’s me, Aunt.”
“Why are you here? Wait, Are you here to check if you’re pregnant?” My aunt, Doctor Lou, seemed surprised.
“I’ve tried it with the pregnancy test kit. I’m probably pregnant,” I said and I can see the cheer in her face. Unfortunately, I need to cut the sudden happiness after I added, “but I have a problem. I need your help to hide it from my husband and everyone else.” I then revealed a pleading look.
It was impossible for Doctor Lou to contain her shock. My parents were her teachers. Since the time that they had passed away, Doctor Lou had received very little information regarding me.Surprisingly, upon our unexpected reunion, I found myself in the midst of marriage and pregnancy. To complicate matters further, I now had to approach her with a delicate request - to keep my impending pregnancy a secret.She asked, “Why?”“I intend to retain custody of this child even though I am divorcing my husband. I refuse to entrust this child to my husband or anyone else.” I let Doctor Lou delicately place her hand on my stomach, her eyes brimming with the tenderness of a shared motherhood."You naive young thing. It is not solely your responsibility to care for the child. Furthermore, your husband is obligated to accept responsibility of the child too. Are you aware of how challenging it can be for a woman to lead a child after she has been divorced?” Doctor Lou's heart was filled with sorr
"Oh, what a surprise to see you here as well."I greeted her with a casual smile, not showing any particular interest.Regina observed my fragile demeanor. Her attire exuded an air of elegance and sophistication, reflecting her refined taste. It appeared that Justin had been quite generous with his financial gestures towards her over the years.I can't believe as these were supposed to be mine!"Indeed, I am afflicted with leukemia. Justin went out of his way to make sure I was admitted to this hospital and assured me that they are highly skilled in treating leukemia." Regina's eyes burned with a mix of envy and animosity, yet her voice remained detached."Leukemia?" I was absolutely taken aback."Yes. According to Justin, your parents were highly knowledgeable about leukemia and had a history of working at this hospital. Thus, numerous treatments and methods have been left behind by them who worked here before." Regina couldn't help but bring up Justin in every single sentence she ut
"Yes, I am aware." Regina pressed her lips together, responding with empathy.Unable to tolerate the wait any longer, I swiftly whisked Justin away from the hospital.As soon as we reached the exclusive restaurant I had mentioned, I wasted no time in placing a generous order for multiple delectable dishes. "Duck soup, prawn meat dumplings, garlic beef bone marrow..."These dishes are packed with essential nutrients.Once I placed my order, I made sure to inquire with Justin about his culinary preferences. "What would you like to have?" I asked him."Feel free to indulge in a delicious meal. I'm not hungry," Justin replied with a distant look on his face.I couldn't help but break into a warm smile. "Of course. Would you be interested in having dinner with Regina after you have already consumed enough food to satisfy your hunger? You could consider getting a meal for her. There is no doubt that the food served at this establishment is of the highest quality.”I attempted to bear with t
"I told you, don't be too greedy!" Justin's face was filled with a deep sense of sadness.However, fear did not consume me. I was on the verge of losing it all anyway, so what was there left for me to fear?With the child growing inside me and my last bit of self-respect on the line, I was determined not to make any compromises this time."I believe we don't need to finish this meal. I already lost my apettite." I grabbed my bag, my face devoid of emotion. Justin was fully aware of the depth of my affection for him.However, he had exploited my emotions, oblivious to the fact that I would also experience heartache.Once I left the restaurant, I took a moment to collect my feelings before returning to Montefalco's ancestral home in order to see grandma.Grandma was incredibly kind and loving towards me, just like a grandmother should be. Despite my disagreement with Justin, I couldn't overlook the significance of his grandmother.In addition, grandma has been experiencing some health i
“Mother, I’m here to see Grandma. Since Grandma is going to rest. I’ll go ahead now.” Even if Justin’s mom didn’t ask, I still told her the reason why I came.As she looked at me leaving, I could still see from my peripheral view how Justin's mom glared at me with such pity.I guess I was too sensible. I hid everything inside and never complained to grandmother. And I let Justin do whatever he wanted.“Would you like to spend the night here? I asked the kitchen staff to buy wild yellow fish. It tastes good,” Justin’s mom said calmly.Although she was asking for me to stay, her attitude didn’t change at all. It was still dull that I couldn’t tell whether she was asking that to me wholeheartedly or out of force.I appreciate the effort in whatever way she must have learned about the yellowfish. Perhap, my mother-in-law was only doing this because she pitied me, her thin and fragile-looking daughter-in-law, especially after asking me to stay and have dinner with them.And I somehow appre
[MARGA’S POV]Her son was really full of nonsense!However, it would seem that none of this reasoning from Justin would ever work for his own mother. Wilma looked at him coldly. “I am not your mother for nothing, Justin. I know how poor you’re in lying, so don’t pass the blame to your wife. You’re such a disgrace!”Although Justin’s way of blaming me for not being able to provide a child yet made me shock, I was even more surprised when my mother-in-law actually refused to believe her own son. She’s a very good lawyer after all.Justin frowned. “I’m telling you the truth, mother.”“Enough, Justin. I am no fool to believe your lies.”Somehow, Justin wasn’t lying about the part where he wanted a child. However, he just didn’t want to have it with me. As a matter of fact, he didn’t want to have this marriage with me at all, which was why we’re even having this divorce. I am well aware that if they were to discover the truth about me being pregnant with his baby, Justin would undoubtedl
[JUSTIN’S POV]With my mother’s connections, she could easily find many good men to introduce to Margarette.For some reason, the thought of Margarette marrying another man, with all her obedient and charming ways being monopolized by someone else, made me feel a little suffocated. I have to admit, even though we’re headed for a divorce, I still can’t bring myself to let another guy have her that easily. It’s like giving away a copy of Regina to someone else.Damn this possessiveness, creeping up again. Yet, I just turn my back on my mother, refusing to escalate the argument further. “I’m too tired for this. I’m heading up,” I say, quickly making my way upstairs to see Margarette in her room, ignoring my mother’s continuous rants.I needed to talk to Margarette, to reprimand her for the trouble she caused today. My original plan was to scold her for telling my mother about the divorce—it should have only been my grandmother who knew about it.It was reckless of Margarette to do such a
[MARGA’S POV]Last night was like a tug of war between Justin and I. When I thought about it, I never imagined that I would have the slightest bit of courage to respond to him in that manner. In addition to the fact that I was pregnant at the time, it is possible that the conflicting feelings that I was experiencing at the time were the cause of my irritation.It was a stroke of good fortune for me that Justin did not develop any suspicions on account of my mood swings. Being in the first trimester of my first pregnancy appeared to be crucial for me. I need to exercise self-control in order to avoid becoming irritable around Justin, as he might actually take notice of my behavior.As soon as I opened my eyes the next morning, I discovered that I was the only person in the room. Last night, Justin slept next to me, but when I woke up, I discovered that the space next to me was empty, and there was no sign of his warmth or presence. The fact that I continued to look for Justin despite
The tension still lingered, like static in the air, even after we had ensured Elise’s safety and returned to the penthouse. The night had been long, exhausting, and I was running on nothing but adrenaline and borrowed time.Leon stood at the kitchen counter, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. The amber liquid swirled in the crystal tumbler as he took a slow sip, his eyes trained on me. He didn’t have to say anything—I could feel the weight of his gaze."You’re shaking," he murmured.I exhaled sharply, glancing down at my hands. He was right. I hadn’t even realized it.Leon set his glass down and crossed the space between us in two strides. His hands, warm and steady, caught mine, stilling them. "Come here."I let him pull me into his arms, the exhaustion catching up to me all at once. I buried my face against his chest, breathing him in—woodsy cologne, something faintly smoky, something undeniably him."You always act like you have to carry the weight of everything on your own," he m
The air in the penthouse was heavy with unspoken tension. I sat at the desk, eyes scanning through the files, absorbing the weight of what we had in our hands. The evidence was undeniable. Justin and Elise’s father had left a trail of financial crimes, bribes, and illegal dealings that could tear their empire apart. The question was—how did we move forward without tipping them off too soon?Leon stood behind me, his presence strong and reassuring. His hand was still on my shoulder, grounding me in the moment. "We need to be careful with this," he murmured.I nodded. "I know. We have to strike at the right moment."Dorian, now lounging on the couch, exhaled loudly. "I hate waiting. Feels like we should be doing something more than just sitting on this.""Patience is key," Leon countered. "If we rush, we lose the advantage."Dorian rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. I closed my laptop and stretched, the weight of the day settling deep into my bones. "I need a break."Leon caught my hand
The drive to the meeting location was tense, the air thick with anticipation. I sat in the passenger seat, my fingers gripping the leather armrest while Leon navigated through the city streets. Dorian was in the back, too casual for my liking, but that was just how he handled pressure. I wished I could be that indifferent. Instead, my mind kept cycling through every possible outcome of this meeting.Elise had made her choice. That much was clear. But whether it was out of self-preservation or something else entirely, we would soon find out."Where did she say we’re meeting?" Leon asked, his voice steady."An old train yard on the outskirts of the city," I replied, reading the address she had sent. "Secluded. Not many ways in or out."Leon didn’t like it. I could tell by the way his jaw clenched. "Sounds like a setup."Dorian chuckled from the backseat. "Sounds like someone’s being paranoid."Leon ignored him, eyes still on the road. "I don’t like unknown variables, Margarette. If she’
The next few days passed in a blur of careful planning and tense anticipation. Elise’s information had given us a direction, but we still had work to do—connections to make, leverage to gather. It should have consumed all my focus.But Leon was a distraction I couldn’t shake.No matter how much I told myself that our night together hadn’t changed anything, I felt it in the way he looked at me, in the way his fingers brushed against mine when he handed me a file, in the way his presence filled every quiet moment. He didn’t push, didn’t demand more than I could give, but the weight of everything left unsaid pressed down on me.I wasn’t sure if I was grateful or terrified.***Late one night, I found myself pacing the penthouse balcony, the cold air biting through my thin sweater. The city sprawled beneath me, glittering and endless, yet I felt trapped in my own thoughts.“You’re thinking too loud again.”I turned to see Leon stepping onto the balcony, his hands tucked into the pockets o
The meeting with Elise was set. That should have been my focus. But my mind kept replaying last night—Leon’s lips on mine, the way he held me as if he couldn’t bear to let go.I inhaled sharply and pushed the thought away. There was no space for distractions.The restaurant Elise had chosen was a high-end establishment, the kind that catered to politicians and business elites who wanted to talk without prying eyes listening in. The dim lighting and low chatter made it the perfect place for clandestine discussions.Leon and I arrived together, though we were careful not to look too familiar. Dorian had insisted on waiting outside, just in case.Elise was already seated when we arrived. She was dressed elegantly in a dark blazer, her posture stiff with tension. As soon as she spotted us, her eyes flicked to Leon, then to me.“You came,” she said, her voice steady but guarded.I slid into the seat across from her, Leon taking the one beside me. “You asked, we answered.”Her lips pressed
The weight of Leon’s words settled over me, thick and inescapable. I could feel the heat of his gaze, his possessiveness wrapping around me like an invisible chain. A part of me wanted to push back, to tell him that I didn’t belong to anyone. But the other part—the part that craved the way he looked at me, the way his presence consumed me—refused to speak.Instead, I exhaled sharply and turned away, fingers tightening around my phone. "I haven't decided yet," I said, my voice even, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an immediate answer.Leon hummed low in his throat, stepping closer. "Decide carefully, Margarette."I refused to face him, but I could feel the warmth of his body behind me. The air between us buzzed with unspoken words, unsatisfied tension.Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.***Later that evening, I sat curled up on the couch, scrolling through my phone, staring at Noah’s message.Drinks sometime? To catch up. No pressure.It should have been s
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, but its warmth did little to ease the tension curling in my stomach. Elise’s message played over and over in my mind.Meet me at noon. My place. No one else.Leon sat across from me, fingers drumming against the table as he studied the message. He was too quiet. That meant he was already three steps ahead, calculating risks, preparing for anything.Dorian whistled from where he lounged on the couch, sipping his coffee like this was just another casual morning. “So, we’re going or not?”I shot him a glare before turning back to Leon. “What do you think?”Leon leaned back in his chair, considering. “It’s suspicious. Either she’s truly desperate, or she wants us walking into something.”I crossed my arms. “I think we should go.”His gaze flickered to me, sharp and assessing. “If we do, we’re doing it my way.”I nodded. “Fine.”Leon studied me a second longer, then let out a low sigh. “Then let’s get moving.”
The night breeze rolled over the pier, carrying the scent of salt and damp wood. Elise had disappeared into the fog, but the weight of her decision lingered in the air. Leon stood beside me, silent, his hands shoved into the pockets of his coat.“She’s scared,” I murmured.Leon let out a low hum. “Good. Fear makes people careful.”I glanced at him. “And desperate.”He met my gaze, his dark eyes unreadable. “Desperation is useful. If she’s smart, she’ll realize we’re offering her an out before everything collapses.”I let out a slow breath, my mind racing. “And if she’s not?”Leon’s jaw tightened. “Then we make sure she doesn’t get in our way.”There was a finality in his tone that sent a chill down my spine. He wasn’t a man who took risks lightly. He weighed every move, calculated every possibility. It was why I trusted him, even when the path ahead was uncertain.Dorian, who had been leaning against a lamppost, pushed off and stretched lazily. “Well, that was fun. I say we celebrate.
The days turned into weeks, and for the first time in a long time, my life wasn’t consumed by revenge or survival. It was strange, almost unsettling, to wake up without the weight of the past pressing down on me.But Leon made it easier.We spent our days in a quiet rhythm—mornings wrapped in each other, afternoons exploring parts of the city I had never truly appreciated, and evenings spent talking about everything and nothing.One afternoon, Leon surprised me with a drive outside the city. The road stretched ahead of us, winding through rolling green hills and open fields.I turned to him, curious. “Where are we going?”He glanced at me with a smirk. “You’ll see.”After about an hour, we pulled up to a secluded property. A modern house with wide glass windows sat on a hill, overlooking a lake. The air smelled of fresh grass and wildflowers, and the only sound was the distant chirping of birds.I stepped out of the car, taking in the view. “Leon… what is this place?”He walked up bes