When Emily hears that her childhood sweetheart and contract husband, Carlos, wants a divorce, her world starts crashing down. She's hurt and heartbroken. And if that isn't bad enough... She's pregnant.
View MoreI can’t help but feel awkward as I sit stiffly at the card table with my grandmother and her three best friends. The women are deep in conversation as they play their card games.I don’t belong here.Not that I don’t love my grandmother—I adore her—but I’m not exactly in my element surrounded by women in their seventies discussing bridge strategies and the latest gossip about people I’ve never met. I sip my tea, nodding politely whenever one of them glances at me, but I’m mostly zoning out, counting the minutes until I can make my escape.My phone buzzes against my lap. I glance down at the screen, and my heart does a small flip when I see the name flashing across it.Alexander.Excusing myself as politely as possible, I slip into the hallway and answer the call.“Hello?”“Hey, Emily,” he says in that deep tone of his. “How are you?”I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I’m fine.”A pause. “You don’t sound fine.”I chuckle. “I’ll get over it.”Alexander hesitates for a moment, the
LINA’S POVI hum as I drive down to the hospital, my fingers gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. My mind is restless. Carlos called me last night. He had been drinking again. Typical. I need to see him. I need to make sure he’s okay.And Emily...Just the thought of her makes my blood boil. She’s still his wife, but not for long. Soon, she’ll be out of the picture, and I won’t have to see her smug little face again.Half a billion dollars.That’s what she’s getting in the divorce settlement.My knuckles turn white against the steering wheel. That money should be mine. I’ve been by Carlos’s side through every moment he needed someone to lean on. I was his first love. And yet, that worthless woman, Emily, is walking away with a fortune she doesn’t deserve.I bite my lip, deep in thought, when my phone buzzes. The screen lights up with an unknown number. My heart skips a beat. I know exactly who it is.Pressing the answer button, I bring the phone to my ear."What?" I ask
CARLOS’ POVThe hospital room is suffocating. White walls. The beeping of machines. The stale scent of antiseptic. I’ve been stuck here for almost a day and no matter how much I try to block it out, one thought refuses to leave me alone. Emily.It’s pathetic how much space she takes up in my head. I tell myself I shouldn’t care. That she’s moving on. That we were never supposed to be anything more than a contract. But every time I close my eyes, she’s there. Her smile. Her laugh. The way she used to look at me like I was her entire world.And now? She looks at me like I’m a stranger. Like I don’t matter anymore.I rake a hand through my hair. I can feel the frustration burning through me. Why did I ever ask for that damn divorce? It made sense at the time. I was in love with Lina. I still am, right? Right?Oh Emily. Our marriage was never supposed to be real. But somewhere along the way, she became real to me.And now I’m losing her.I laugh bitterly, I never even realized I cared abo
The moment Justin leaves, the room feels suffocating. My fists clench at my sides as his words replay in my head over and over again.Emily and Alexander.I can practically see it. The two of them sitting at some fancy restaurant, laughing, sharing secret smiles. The way she used to look at me—that same soft gaze, the sparkle in her eyes when she was truly happy—is she giving it to him now? Does she tilt her head slightly when she laughs, the way she always did with me? Is she letting him pull out her chair, touch her lower back, brush her hair from her face?The image makes my chest feel like it’s burning.I grit my teeth, pacing around the hospital room. My stomach turns in protest, reminding me that I’m still recovering, but the jealousy burns hotter. I imagine Alexander leaning in, his lips brushing against hers, and suddenly, I want to throw something. My hand hovers over the tray table beside my bed.Does she let him kiss her?The thought is like gasoline on a fire. Frustration
CARLOS' POVThe world spins when I first open my eyes. My head pounds like someone is slamming a hammer against my skull. My throat is dry, and the bitter taste of regret lingers in my mouth. The fluorescent lights above make me wince, and when I shift, a dull ache spreads through my stomach.The last thing I remember is throwing up on a pavement before everything goes black.I groan softly, bringing a hand to my face. My whole body feels like it has been wrung out and left to dry. Then, I hear a voice—soft, but filled with frustration."You're awake."Emily stands at the side of my hospital bed, arms crossed. Her lips are pressed together, and her eyes—God, her eyes hold so much emotion. Concern, exhaustion, and something else I can't quite place.I manage a weak smirk, though it probably looks more like a grimace. "Hey, angel. You here to scold me?"Emily sighs, shaking her head. "Carlos, you drank yourself into a hospital bed. What were you thinking?"I shrug, regretting it instant
EMILY'S POVI walk into the police station. The air is thick with the scent of coffee and sweat. My heels click against the floor as I approach the front desk. At this point, my patience is hanging by a fragile thread."I'm here to pay Carlos Carter’s fine," I state, sliding my credit card across the counter.The officer behind the desk, a middle-aged man, barely spares me a glance as he retrieves the necessary paperwork. "You his wife?" he asks, flipping through a file."Soon to be ex-wife," I correct. I am irritated, and my voice shows it.The officer lets out a low hum."Happens a lot," he says, stamping a form. "But if you ask me, divorces drag longer when one of the parties doesn't really want it."I stiffen. "Trust me, officer. One of the parties definitely wants it."I take the receipt and follow him through the secured hallway. And then, I see him.Carlos. My husband—soon to be ex-husband—leaning lazily against the wall of the holding cell, looking like a mess of expensive bad
EMILY’S POVThis is it. No more delays, no more second-guessing. We have dragged this out long enough. Today, I am going to finalize my divorce and close this painful chapter of my life.“Emily,” his voice comes through the receiver, hesitant. “I—”“We need to finalize the divorce,” I cut him off before he can start with any pleasantries or excuses. “No more games, Carlos. It’s time.”There is a pause, then a sigh. “I know,” he says quietly. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it to the court the other day. I—”“It doesn’t matter.” My voice is firm. “We’ve delayed this long enough. I just want this to be over.”Carlos exhales deeply, and for a moment, there is nothing but silence between us. I hear the faint rustling of papers in the background, as if he is searching for something—perhaps an excuse, another reason to put this off. But I am not going to let him.“Emily… are you sure this is what you want?” His voice is softer now. “Like, right now?”My grip on the phone tightens. “Yes.”“Separate
EMILY'S POVEMILY’S POVThe past few days have been a blur of exhaustion, nausea, and an overwhelming need to rest. I spend most of my time curled up in bed, trying to ignore the waves of sickness that come and go like the tide. The air in my room feels heavy, suffocating almost, and I long for something—anything—to ground me.Then, my phone rings.I glance at the screen. My heart skips when I see the familiar name flashing across it. Grandma.Taking a deep breath, I answer. "Grandma?""Emily, sweetheart!" Her voice is warm, full of love "How have you been, dear? It’s been too long since we talked."I swallow hard, forcing a smile even though she can’t see it. "I’m okay, Grandma. Just… taking it easy.""You don’t sound okay," she notes, "Are you eating well? You need to take care of yourself, darling."I hesitate, pressing my fingers against my forehead. "Yeah, I am. Just tired, that’s all."She hums in disapproval, but thankfully doesn’t push. "Why don’t you come over today? I’ve mis
EMILY'S POVThe moment I step out of the hotel, I can’t help the tears that fall from my eyes. My heels click angrily against the pavement as I march away, blinded by tears. My breath shudders with the weight of my emotions. My hands shake as I clutch my purse.The world is spinning.Carlos delayed our divorce hearing once again. Why? Because of Lina. The hold that woman has on him makes me jealous."Emily!" Alexander's voice echoes behind me. I can hear the sound of his footsteps as he struggles to catch up with me "Wait!"I don’t stop. I can’t. If I do, I’ll fall apart, and I refuse to let anyone—especially him—see me this way. But my legs betray me. out of my control, my legs slow down because deep down, I want someone to stop me. To tell me I’m not crazy. That I’m not overreacting. That I matter.Footsteps pound behind me, quicker, stronger, until Alexander finally catches up. His hand closes gently around my wrist. I jerk away instinctively, but he doesn’t let go completely, just
EMILY’S POVEverything looks perfect. I made chicken, garlic butter vegetables, mashed potatoes and other things I know Carlos will love. My hands can’t seem to stop trembling as I arrange the table. I smooth down the linen napkins for the third time, adjust the candles, and glance at the clock. Carlos’s flight landed two hours ago, and he should be walking through that door any minute now.I inhale deeply, trying my best to calm myself. Yesterday, when the doctor said the words, “You’re pregnant,” I’d sat frozen for a moment, blinking back tears of disbelief and joy. It must have happened during that night—the one time Carlos had let his guard down. The night he had been drunk. It was the first time we had sex.For a year, I’ve dreamed of moments like this. A family with Carlos. A real chance at love. Maybe...just maybe, this news will be the start of something beautiful between us. This marriage started as a contract but I hope the news of my pregnancy will make Carlos realize that ...
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