Chapter 2

Stella lay weakly on the hospital bed. Dr. Jenny Dawson, the attending physician, insisted on keeping her there due to her critical condition.

"Ms. Miranda, shouldn't you call your husband so someone can stay with you?" Jenny asked Stella.

Stella managed a smile at Jenny. "I've already texted him."

Jenny smiled sympathetically and nodded, feeling sorry for her new patient, who clearly hadn't been taking care of herself.

Once Jenny left, Stella let out a deep sigh, gently stroking her flat stomach. A small smile spread across her face. Finally, she and Charles would be parents. She hoped this would give him a reason to love her and complete their family.

Thankfully, her pregnancy was safe. She hadn't realized she was already five weeks along. Now, she needed to be extremely cautious to protect the growing child inside her.

"Should I inform—" Alex started to say.

Stella swiftly turned to him and shook her head. "You can go now. I'll call you when I need you."

Alex, though older, remained robust and promptly obeyed, silently exiting the room.

Alone again, Stella smiled once more. She reached for her cellphone on the small table and checked for a reply from Charles. Instead of his message, there was one from Sophie. Her smile vanished quickly as she read it.

[Don't bother Charles because the woman he loves the most has arrived. Elizabeth is more important than you will ever be.]

Stella tightened her grip on the cellphone after reading Sophie's message. She couldn't resist opening the attached video clip. Tears streamed down her face as she watched. A bitter smile formed when she saw Charles smiling at the woman.

If Elizabeth were in front of her, Stella would have definitely pulled her hair. Her sobs intensified when Elizabeth kissed Charles, and he didn't pull away. The pain wasn't only in her heart but also in her stomach, as if her child felt the same anguish.

The video ended at the part where Elizabeth kissed Charles. Stella knew Elizabeth well. When Charles' grandfather, Ramon Cooper, chose her to be Charles' bride, Elizabeth pleaded against it. However, since Stella was in love with Charles, the marriage went ahead.

Stella had believed that in the three years they were together, she had won Charles' heart. She endured and humbled herself, longing for his love. When he finally claimed her as his own, she was ecstatic, even though he was intoxicated. It happened several more times, but he always made her take birth control pills.

"Is that why he rarely comes home?" she wondered, tears streaming down her face.

A month ago, she got word that Elizabeth had come back to town. She had hoped Ramon had found a way to keep Elizabeth away, but Elizabeth returned, likely with Charles' help. Worried that Charles had grown distant lately, she quietly got rid of the pills.

"Baby, forgive Mommy. You're here because of my selfishness. I'm sorry, but it seems I can't give you a complete family." She gently stroked her stomach, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady herself. She couldn't bear to lose her child too. Putting on a smile for her baby, she knew she couldn't afford to stress out. This would be her last tear shed for Charles. With a new life to care for, she had to think with her head, not her heart.

***

"Babe, it's obvious that Stella is cheating on you. She must have heard I was back, so she quickly found a man to rescue her from poverty!"

Charles glared at the photo taken by Marimar outside their house. In the picture, Stella could be seen getting into a fancy car with a man.

"I told you, that woman is money-hungry. She quickly found an old and wealthy man," Sophie said angrily, arms crossed in front of Charles.

Charles stood up with a blank face and turned his back on them. "It's late, go to bed."

Magda quickly grabbed Sophie's arm to stop her from following Charles. "That's enough, Sophie. Let Charles have some time to think."

Sophie stomped her foot in frustration, dissatisfied with Charles' reaction to the photo.

Elizabeth stood up and turned to Sophie. "Do you know who the man in the photo is?"

Magda paused, only now considering Elizabeth's question. She studied the picture. The car picking up Stella was expensive. She scrutinized the man's face. He was well-dressed and looked respectable, but she didn't recognize him.

"Mom, is he one of the people you hired to ruin Stella's image in Charles' eyes?" Sophie asked Magda.

"I don't know him. I don't know of any wealthy relatives she has, so I don't know who that man is."

"Let's not dwell on who helped her. What matters is that we've convinced Charles there's another man in Stella's life," Elizabeth said with a smile, nodding at Sophie and Magda.

"Exactly! Now, we've got to ensure Charles doesn't feel sorry for Stella!" Sophie draped her arm around Elizabeth's shoulders and guided her to her room.

In the hospital room, Stella's gaze drifted up to the ceiling, her mind consumed by thoughts of what lay ahead. The notion of being separated from Charles welled tears in her eyes, as if her heart shared in sorrow.

'When he learns I'm pregnant, he'll pick me,' she reassured herself, remembering how highly his family valued children. 'Of course, he won't want our child born outside of marriage. He'll have to stand by me!' she affirmed to herself, a faint smile gracing her lips.

The next morning, Stella stirred from her slumber, blinking against the bright light that flooded the room. As she reached for her cellphone, she realized it was switched off. The battery must have died overnight, and she didn't have a charger.

"Good morning, how are you feeling?" Jenny's voice greeted her as she stepped into the room.

Stella returned the smile to the young doctor. Though kind, Jenny kept a professional demeanor.

"I'm feeling better, doctor. Can I be discharged now?" Stella asked.

Jenny checked Stella's pulse and IV. It was nearly empty, and both Stella's heartbeat and the baby's were steady.

"I'll write you a prescription for medicine and vitamins to help with the baby's health. Make sure to follow my instructions and return next week."

"Sure thing, thank you so much!"

"Is your husband still on his way?" Jenny glanced around the room.

Stella managed a smile. "Yes, he's on his way to pick me up. Thanks again."

Jenny glanced at Stella before offering a warm smile. "Don't forget, it's crucial to steer clear of stress. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

Stella fought back tears and returned Jenny's smile, appreciating her genuine concern despite their recent acquaintance.

"Stress isn't good for you or the baby," Jenny added.

Throughout their conversation, Jenny shared more helpful advice, which Stella absorbed eagerly, especially regarding motherhood. It seemed to Jenny that Stella might be struggling with her husband.

Stella exited the hospital with a heavy heart, taking in a deep breath of fresh air before hailing a taxi. She requested to be taken home, hoping things would be better with Charles. Upon arrival, she was greeted by Magda, whose disapproving gaze didn't go unnoticed.

"Where have you been? How dare you come back after spending the night out with some other guy!" Magda's accusation hit Stella like a punch.

"Please, choose your words carefully; there is no other man," Stella replied calmly, her thoughts on her unborn child.

"Still denying it, even with proof?" Sophie's mocking tone came.

Stella turned to find Sophie in the living room, and then her eyes fell on Charles, sitting quietly on the couch.

Pain washed over Stella's face as she beheld the woman by Charles' side. 'So, she spent the night here,' she thought bitterly.

In that moment, Stella felt the weight of her insignificance to Charles, especially after he knew she was hospitalized. A sense of powerlessness overwhelmed her, rendering her unable to move or speak.

Daniel Lawson, the lawyer present, cleared his throat, sensing the anguish emanating from Stella. He sympathized with her plight but felt powerless to intervene, especially with Ramon being abroad for treatment.

Charles and Stella's marriage was widely known to be a convenience, a union forged for Ramon's sake, with the expectation that Ramon wouldn't survive long. However, his unexpected longevity had led to their current predicament.

Charles' expression hardened as he glared at Stella. "If you needed money, you should have said something. You couldn't even wait to sign the divorce papers before chasing after another wealthy man."

Stella's heart sank as Charles accused her. She knew he believed she cared only about money, but hearing it from him hurt deeply.

"If you're so eager to find another wealthy man, let's call it quits," Charles declared.

Sophie and Magda smiled, anticipating Charles' next words. Elizabeth fought to hide her grin, secretly pleased.

Stella felt crushed. Despite her efforts, she couldn't hide the sadness in her eyes.

"Elizabeth's returned, so it's time for us to split," Charles muttered, avoiding Stella's gaze, unable to bear the pain and confusion in her eyes. Wrestling with his own emotions, he rose and motioned for Daniel to proceed.

Daniel approached Stella, who seemed rooted in place. "Mrs. Cooper, here are the papers you need to sign. Don't worry; in return for these divorce papers, you'll get five million and this house to ensure you're taken care of."

Stella stared blankly at the papers Daniel handed her. There were two—one for the money and the other for the house. Instead of crying, a bitter smile crept onto her face. She chuckled at the way her life had turned out. Onlookers might think she was content with what she would get, but it was all so ironic.

Even though she was genuinely hurting, she hid her pain with laughter. When she looked up, her eyes met Charles'. She smiled again, noticing how handsome he still looked despite his cold stare. In this final moment, she wanted to show him that she was happy for him, happy that he would be with the woman he truly loved.