4.

Nora's POV 

Bella had been living with us and things has been going well, or so I thought. 

I had forgotten the last doctor's report at home as I head to the doctor's for an appointment. I had to go back home for it. I know I was running late, but the doctor had specifically asked me to bring it along with me today. 

If Rufus had not been in the office, I would have called him for help. On getting to the house, I had to just park my car outside so that it would be easy for me to leave. 

I walked past the gate, only to see the car Rufus had used earlier today. Did he forget something too? I wondered. 

As I walked into the house, I paused when I heard arguments. What were they arguing about? It was Rufus and Bella, I can't be mistaken, what happened?

“And I've told you that I have it under control!” Rufus yelled, shocking me to the core. 

I have never heard Rufus yell like that before. He was never this angry around me. What is going on?

I walked closer, only to realize that they were in Bella's room.

“Fuck it, Rufus. Sooner or later, Nora would find out” 

“She won't if you keep your mouth shut and stop acting like you own the place when you clearly don't!” He barked and my eyes narrowed. 

Are they hiding something from me? What was it? My mind had clearly forgotten that I was here for a doctor's report. I'm more concerned now about their discussion.

“Why? Why won't I act like I own the place? Have you forgotten that this is the house of my baby's father?” 

I gasped as my eyes widened, 

“What?” I muttered.

“Don't you dare spit out those words from your mouth! That was a mistake!” Rufus yelled.

“That produced a child! Nora will know about it soon, and I'll be glad to break the news to her” Bella yelled back, and my bag fell off my hand.

That got their attention because they both turned to look at me.

“Nora…” Rufus mumbled. I staggered back in disbelief, 

“No,” I murmured.

“Nora, wait, let me explain,” Rufus said as he began to walk towards me, but I could only stagger back. 

Tears rolled down my cheeks, but I could see clearly the smirk on Bella's face. Her hands folded, and her eyes held hatred towards me. 

“Bella?” I called in a shaky voice as I couldn't believe she was one and the same person I used to know. She was looking different.

“Yes, Nora. Everything you heard is true. I am carrying Rufus's baby. He is the father of my child” 

“Shut up, Bella!” Rufus barked. 

“Baby, baby, let me explain” 

“No, no, I am dreaming. I am dreaming” I kept saying to myself.

“Rufus? You?” I asked, I couldn't even believe what was going on. My mind cannot understand a thing. I was feeling dizzy and my breath hitched. 

“Baby, that's not it. It was a mistake” 

“So it's true. It's true that you are the father of her child? Is that why you aren't bothered we haven't had ours? Because you had someone else” 

“Yes,” Bella said, but Rufus immediately cut her off

“No! No!” He shouted,

“No Nora. I love you, you know it. I don't know what happened that night” A resounding slap landed on his face. My hand stung, I didn't know if I was the one who had even slapped him.

“You dare cheat on me, Rufus?” 

“No, I'll never cheat on you!” He tried to touch me, but I backed away before rushing out of the house. 

Rufus followed behind while Bella did the same. 

“Nora wait, Nora…” I ignored them both before getting into my car and driving off. 

I was not sane, I couldn't think of anything else. My mind was blank, so I parked my car by the side of the road, and I cried.

Rufus and I have never had a serious fight. We were always on good terms, lovers, best friends. We don't keep anything from each other. Right now, I am sitting here, wondering where I have gone wrong.

Bella could do something like this to me? After all, I have done for her, she slept with my husband?

My mind drifted to what Mary had told me. She had always told me she never liked Bella. She said the girl was a pretender, and she doesn't just know why she can't seem to accept her as my friend even after how many years. 

“Why Bella? Why? I trusted you” I wept. 

Now wonder Rufus had been acting strangely, he must have known even before I did. He told me the doctor said she fainted out of exhaustion whereas she was pregnant with his child. He didn't tell me that because he knew it was his child. 

What did I do to deserve this?

I picked up my phone and called my sister. She is the only one I could call right now. My husband and best friend that was my world had betrayed me.

As the phone rang, the tears kept dropping. 

“Mary” I muttered the moment she picked up the call

“Nora, are you alright?” She asked, and I shook my head even though I knew she couldn't see it.

“Can I come over?” I asked with a hoarse voice.

“Sure, sure. I'm home” Her voice sounded genuinely concerned, making me cry some more. I pitied myself.

I ended the call and started the car before driving to Mary's apartment. Mary was the name of my sister.

I cried all my way to her house, I still can't explain how I got to her apartment without hitting anyone because I knew I wasn't in my right state of mind. 

I came down but held on to my car. I was feeling dizzy, and my heart was breaking. I struggled to get to the door and rang the bell. 

I held the side of the door for balance, but the moment the door opened I fell to the ground, 

“Nora!" That was the last thing I heard before I gave myself to the darkness before me.

TBC