4: That is not my child!

Ruby’s POV

Two months after the wedding..

“Dominic, we need to talk,” I said, my voice shaking from the turmoil inside me. I thought this would be easy, that I would just walk up to him and tell him we needed to talk, but deep down I felt pain, pain engrossed in deep shame. How could my husband be on every news platform with a lady, holding hands and even kissing?

I know the marriage is a contract but it was clearly stated that none of us must jeopardize the marriage.

“What is it?” He asked, irritation etched on his face as he raised an eyebrow while shrugging off his coat.

“What’s going on between you and Natalie?” I demanded, stepping closer to him. “Do you have any idea how humiliating this is for me?”

Dominic sighed, rubbing his temples as if dealing with a child. “Ruby, let’s get something straight. You’re not my real wife. You’re a contract wife, a means to an end, did you perhaps forget, or is your little mind too crude to understand such information?” He asked, his voice dripping with condescension. It was the final straw.

His words hit me like a physical blow, piercing through my heart like a newly carved arrow. I’d hoped that by now he would see me differently, especially now that I was carrying his child. I’d waited weeks after finding out, trying to find the right time to tell him but the right time had never come up. How do I tell an impotent man that I’m pregnant for him. Just how? Besides, he had remained cold and distant all the time. “Dominic, we chose to respect ourselves in this marriage. You don’t have the right to disrespect me. I’ve kept my end of the bargain, and you—”

“And I’ve kept mine until now,” he interrupted, his voice cold and dismissive. “In fact, I’m ready to conclude this farce. Here.” He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a set of documents, tossing them onto the table. “Divorce papers. Sign them, and we can both move on.”

My heart sank as I stared at the papers. “Natalie doesn’t love you, Dominic. She’s only using you.”

A flicker of something—anger, pain, maybe both—crossed his face before he masked it again. “Just sign it. Honestly, I don’t know why you’re making this into an issue. Many ladies would find your position to be flattering. If you can’t handle me having a lover, then sign the papers. Infact, I don’t want you here when I return tomorrow. I’ll wire the remaining funds to you.”

He continued to undress, undoing the buttons of his shirt as he expected me to leave his room. But instead, I stood there, heartbroken as tears blurred my vision. I don’t know why I thought he wasn’t a rich snob. I could’ve sworn that there was more to him. Even though he has walls up, I saw that he was sweet inside. I’d been tempted to explore, to see what lay beneath but now I could clearly see that all there was to the man was coldness, pure coldness.

What was I expecting? That he would open up and be nice? That he would suddenly just drop the cold facade and show me his vulnerability? Of course he wouldn’t, this was all for show, for him to get easy business proposals. It was me who started to see his humanity and think he was someone who deserved kindness. I should’ve know better, he’s just a cold blooded man with no heart.

Frustrated and tired, I swallowed hard, trying to summon all the strength I have left in me to tell him that I was carrying his baby. “I’m pregnant” I said, causing him to stare at me wide eyed, shock and confusion written all over him.

“You said what?” He asked me, walking nearer to me.

“That I’m pregnant.”

His eyes roamed all over my body, filled with irritation and disgust. “I know you just want to get the other half of your money. I knew you were cheap, I just didn’t know you were cheap enough to lie about this,” he said, causing my heart to wrench in pain. I expected this, but I didn’t expect it to hurt this much.

“Please, believe me Dominic, the child is yours.” I pleaded, my voice dropping low from desperation.“

How can I believe a woman like you?” He questioned condescendingly. “You are so cheap. For God’s sake you married me for money. You married an impotent man for money and you’re telling me you’re pregnant for me? Make it make sense, if you’re going to lie, make it make sense.”

“I’m not lying Dominic, I would never lie to you. I care about you.” I begged, my voice trembling from desperation. I reached out and held his arm but he flinched away, retracting from me.

“I don’t know what this is about Ruby. Probably some plan to tie me down to you but trust me, that would never happen. That kid is not mine! You and I know that I’m incapable of having a child. Just pack up your things and leave my house. This plan, whatever you’re planning to get from this lie will not work out. Sign the divorce papers and be gone before I return.” He said and walked out, leaving me inside. The whole room blurred as the walls closed in on me. I crumbled onto the ground, feeling the immense pain of his rejection and distrust. Where was I supposed to go to?