𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩 Alex glared at Arine, his eyes blazing with fury as he yanked his hand free from Arine’s iron grip. “This is a personal matter,”he growled, his voice sharp and accusatory. “You have no right to interfere.” I instinctively drew back, my fingers brushing against the fabric over my stomach, seeking some sense of calm. But Arine didn’t budge an inch. His gaze was cold and unyielding, as if Alex’s rage didn’t even register. “Anything involving Mila is my concern,” Arine said coolly, his words measured but laced with a quiet authority that made even me pause. Alex’s eyes narrowed, darting from me to Arine and back again. “Concern?” he sneered, his voice tinged with suspicion. “And who exactly are you?” he demanded, his tone dripping with disdain. “What gives you the right to involve yourself in this?” I could feel the tension spike in the air, thick and suffocating. I glanced at Arine, unsure of what he would say, but there was no hesitation in him. “Who am I?” Ari
The moment I set foot inside the mall, a sense of unease gripped me. My pulse quickened as I scanned the bustling crowd, an inexplicable feeling that something—or someone—I’d rather avoid was just around the corner. Brushing off the feeling, I reminded myself of my mission: buy some dresses. My wardrobe had suffered after the last purge when I realized Alex bought those dresses for her. The nerve of him—gifting me his mistress’s rejected outfits as if they were symbols of love. I’d burned every last one, and today, I intended to replace them.As I wandered through the Western wear section, my fingers grazed a sleek, emerald dress. A small smile formed on my lips, thinking how satisfying it would feel to treat myself after months of pouring myself into the Royals project. Just as I was about to pull the dress from the rack, a familiar voice cut through the air, freezing me in place.“Well, well, if it isn’t Mila,” the voice purred, dripping with false sweetness more likely in moking t
I blinked, my cheek throbbing as my vision cleared. Standing in front of me, his face twisted with rage, was Alex. He looked like a stranger, nothing like the man I’d once thought I loved. Beside him stood Lily, eyes wide and hands covering her mouth in a theatrical display of innocence.“Alex?” I managed, voice low but steady despite the burning pain. I refused to show weakness—not in front of him, and certainly not in front of her.“Who do you think you are, Mila?” he spat, his eyes blazing with anger. “Harassing Lily like that—have you lost all decency?”Lily stepped closer to him, clutching his arm as if she were afraid, her voice soft and trembling. “Alex, please… don’t be too harsh on her,” she murmured, her eyes flicking over to me with a barely concealed smirk. “I’m sure she just… misunderstands the situation.”Misunderstands. That word echoed in my mind, thick with irony and the memories of a thousand twisted lies. I clenched my fists, feeling the fire building in my chest.“
“The one from the mall, Mila! The one where Alex slapped you in front of everyone! It’s gone viral, like, everywhere! It’s all over social media. People are posting it left and right. I can’t believe it!” Sally’s voice was a mix of anger and disbelief. “What the hell happened? Why didn’t you tell me? Are you alright?”I froze, the breath catching in my throat. Viral? The thought of my humiliation being broadcasted to the world, out of my control, made my skin crawl. This can’t be real.I squeezed my phone tighter, trying to steady my breath. My mind was still racing, trying to piece everything together. Alex had always had a way of controlling the narrative, but this time… this time he had crossed a line.“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing calmness into my voice. “I’m just heading home now. I’ll explain everything later.”But I was too numb to take in her concern. All I could think of was how my world had just exploded in the worst way possible. The slap, the video, my privacy shattered… I c
I hesitated, eyeing the screen as the unknown number flashed. The last thing I needed was someone else trying to drag me back into today’s mess. Still, something in me— desperation for any distraction—or maybe it was the faint hope that someone, anyone, might actually have something helpful to say urged me to answer.With a sigh, I pressed "Answer" and lifted the phone to my ear.“Hello?” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.A pause, then a deep voice, smooth yet unsettling, came through. “Mila. I’ve been waiting to talk to you.”My grip tightened on the phone, a chill running down my spine. There was something familiar about the voice, though I couldn’t place it. No name, no explanation—just a tone filled with a strange confidence, like he already knew everything.“Who is this?” I demanded, my words sharper now.“You’ll find out soon enough,” he replied, his tone calm and almost teasing. “Meet me tomorrow. I’ll send you the location.”Before I could respond, the line went dead, l
I barely made it to the sink before I started vomiting, my body heaving, all that delicious food suddenly working against me. When I straightened, I felt dizzy, my head spinning as if I’d just stepped off a roller coaster. My hands were cold, and a strange exhaustion washed over me, settling deep in my bones. Sally was right outside the door, her concern quickly turning to worry. “Mila, are you okay? You look so pale. Do you need water or something?” I tried to reassure her, forcing a shaky smile. “I’m fine. Must’ve been a long day and maybe…maybe I ate too fast.” But as I walked back to the living room, a few things lingered— the sudden nausea, the dizziness, a lingering tiredness I couldn’t shake. I brushed it off, chalking it up to stress and fatigue. Yet something gnawed at the back of my mind, as if my body was trying to tell me something just beyond my understanding. But for now, I ignored it, focusing instead on cleaning up and carrying on, pretending that everything was perf
The doctor looked at us, her expression soft but unyielding. “I understand your surprise, but these results are accurate. Sometimes, diagnoses change. Bodies change. And from what we’re seeing here, you’re in the very early stages.” Sally was the first to speak up, her voice a little shaky. "Can we… can we see the report?" The doctor handed us the report, and we both scanned it, even though it may as well have been written in a different language. It was undeniable; every line pointed to one thing: I was, somehow, actually pregnant. Still, I couldn’t believe it. It felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. I shot Sally a look, and she nodded, as if reading my mind. “Thank you, Doctor, but I think we’ll get a second opinion.” The doctor nodded, still patient. “Of course, Mila. If you need any further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.” We barely made it out the door before Sally pulled me aside. “Mila, we need to check this again. Let’s go to another hospital. Mayb
After a long moment of silence, I made up my mind. I couldn’t ignore this anymore—whoever had been reaching out to me clearly had something important to say. I looked at Sally, determination set in my eyes. “I think I need to go,” I said quietly. Sally’s face immediately filled with worry, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded firmly. “Then I’m coming with you. You’re not going anywhere alone, Mila, especially not in… well, this situation.” A small smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you, Sally. I don’t think I’d want to face this on my own anyway.” I reached down, my hand unconsciously resting on my stomach. There was a strange warmth there, a feeling that almost felt protective, like my body was somehow reminding me that I wasn’t truly alone. My heart softened, and I knew then that I had to be careful—not just for myself, but for the tiny life inside me too. After gathering a few things, we headed out, the drive long and winding as we left the familiarity of the city behind. Sall
𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩 Alex glared at Arine, his eyes blazing with fury as he yanked his hand free from Arine’s iron grip. “This is a personal matter,”he growled, his voice sharp and accusatory. “You have no right to interfere.” I instinctively drew back, my fingers brushing against the fabric over my stomach, seeking some sense of calm. But Arine didn’t budge an inch. His gaze was cold and unyielding, as if Alex’s rage didn’t even register. “Anything involving Mila is my concern,” Arine said coolly, his words measured but laced with a quiet authority that made even me pause. Alex’s eyes narrowed, darting from me to Arine and back again. “Concern?” he sneered, his voice tinged with suspicion. “And who exactly are you?” he demanded, his tone dripping with disdain. “What gives you the right to involve yourself in this?” I could feel the tension spike in the air, thick and suffocating. I glanced at Arine, unsure of what he would say, but there was no hesitation in him. “Who am I?” Ari
𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the room as I lay resting on the hospital bed. Sally sat nearby, busy typing away on her laptop, her focus unwavering. Arine had left a while ago, needing to attend a meeting. He had promised to be back in an hour or two despite my protests. “Don’t stress yourself out for me,” I’d said.He’d refused, his tone firm. “I’ll be back soon. Rest.” Then he was gone, leaving me with Sally, who, as usual, balanced everything effortlessly. It had been nearly half an hour when the calm was shattered by a commotion outside. A woman’s shrill voice pierced through the silence, shouting at someone—likely a staff member. The tone struck a strange chord within me, so familiar that it made my stomach churn. But I brushed the thought aside, chalking it up to exhaustion.Moments later, a deep, booming man's voice echoed through the hallway, scolding someone viciously.His words were cruel, demanding explanations for what he called their “inco
𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩When my eyes fluttered open, I was greeted by the blinding white of the hospital ceiling. A dull ache pulsed in my head as I struggled to recall how I ended up here. The last thing I remembered was the sharp pain and dizziness that had overwhelmed me back at home. Everything after that was a blur.Turning my head slightly, I spotted Sally slumped over the edge of my bed, her head resting on her folded arms. Her soft breathing was the only sound in the quiet room. A faint smile tugged at my lips. She looked so serene, almost like a child.I didn’t want to wake her. Knowing Sally, she’d worked herself to the bone worrying about me and ensuring I was safe.She must’ve been exhausted from her work and looking after me.I placed a gentle hand over my belly, holding my breath as I focused. Relief washed over me when I felt a faint flutter, a reassurance that my baby was okay. “Thank goodness,” I whispered, closing my eyes briefly in gratitude.The sound of the door opening
𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩I curled up on the couch, aimlessly flicking through channels,hoping to find something—anything—that could distract me. A random show played on the screen, but I wasn’t really watching. The laughter track, the vibrant colors on the screen—none of it could lighten the heaviness in my chest.My mind refused to cooperate, dragging me back to memories I’d rather not revisit. Memories of him. Of Alex.I never thought we’d end up like this—broken and distant. There was a time when Alex loved me like I was his whole world. He had been my rock, my shield, my everything. It felt impossible to reconcile that version of him with the man who barged into my office today, spewing accusations without a shred of doubt.My thoughts wandered to a moment etched deeply in my heart. It had been at one of those high-profile social events he insisted I accompany him to, despite my protests. I never liked being in the spotlight, but Alex was always by my side, making sure I felt safe.That
𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩 I sat at my desk, meticulously reviewing the project details before attaching the finalized drafts to an email. Arine’s PA had requested these, and I wanted everything to be perfect. The sooner the contract-signing process was complete, the sooner I could focus on the actual concept. After hitting send, I leaned back, letting out a small sigh of relief. One task down. I shifted my attention to my inbox, scrolling through the new emails. Most were routine updates, but one caught my attention, making me pause. Before I could open it, the door to my office flew open with a loud bang, startling me. I looked up, and there he was—Alex.His broad frame filled the doorway, his face contorted with fury. His stormy eyes locked onto mine. “How dare you, Mila?” he shouted, his voice echoing through the room. “How dare you try to harm my child?” I blinked, utterly baffled. “What the hell are you talking about?” I asked, annoyed at his sudden intrusion. “And lower your voic
𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘃 As I forced myself to tear my gaze away from Arine’s intense gaze.I straightened my shoulders and walked into the building. His cryptic words still buzzed in my head, but I shoved them aside, focusing on the work awaiting me. But today, something felt off.The moment I stepped inside, the energy around me shifted. Colleagues who usually greeted me warmly were whispering amongst themselves, their eyes flickering in my direction before quickly looking away. The tension was palpable, and I could feel their stares burning into my back as I walked past.Unease prickled at me. What was going on? Why did it feel like I’d suddenly become the center of everyone’s attention? Why was everyone acting so strange?I walked briskly, my heels clicking against the tiled floor as I ignored the murmurs and headed straight for my office. If there was something to be said, they could say it to my face.When I opened my office door,I froze. The reason for the gossip became clear.Sittin
I was completely absorbed in my phone, reviewing the designs I had worked on tirelessly yesterday in the office. Hours of tweaking and perfecting had gone into these samples, but I still felt like they weren’t quite right. The lines blurred together as I analyzed every detail, trying to fix the drawbacks that kept nagging at me.The car jerked to a stop at a red light, and Arine’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.“Are those designs for the project we discussed?” he asked, glancing at my screen.I nodded, holding up the phone so he could get a better look. “Yeah. Just some samples. What do you think?”Leaning closer, he studied the designs with a focus that surprised me. After a moment, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.“As expected—you’ve always been one of the best at this.”I frowned, his words catching me off guard. “What do you mean, ‘always’?”His smile faltered for a second before he casually replied,“I meant your designs. I’ve seen some of your previous work on
As Sally and I stepped out of the car and approached the front porch, we saw Arine waiting, leaning casually against his car with his arms crossed. His sharp gaze immediately softened as we walked toward him, though his expression remained serious.“You’re finally here,” he began,pushing off the car. “We need to start planning how to expose Lily. Her baby shower is next week, and it’s the perfect opportunity to settle the score for what they did to you—slapping you in public and posting it online for humiliation. Let them have a taste of their own medicine.”His words struck a chord. The idea of exposing Lily in front of everyone at her grand celebration felt like poetic justice. I nodded thoughtfully, the wheels in my mind already turning.Inside, the three of us sat around the living room table,Sally grabbed a notepad and began jotting down ideas.As Ideas were thrown around, but nothing concrete emerged. Finally, Arine leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful.“We need so
𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘃 After dinner, I lay on my bed, scrolling through countless websites about pregnancy. Each article and forum seemed to offer endless advice—what to eat, what to avoid, exercises, mental health tips how to care for myself, and ultimately, how to ensure my baby’s well-being—but the sheer amount of information was overwhelming. Still, I couldn’t stop reading.This journey was unexpected, but I wanted to embrace it wholeheartedly. I owed it to my child to be the best version of myself, despite everything.Page after page of advice filled my screen, but the deeper I dove, the more overwhelming it became. I tried to focus, but the flood of information left me mentally drained.This was too much to take in at once.I closed the laptop with a sigh, resting my hand on my stomach.It was clear that I needed a doctor to guide me through this. No amount of internet searching could replace professional advice.The next morning came quickly.I got ready quickly, wanting to be done wi