Chapter 1. Pregnant and Divorced

 Brie POV

“Congratulations, Mrs. Hunter.  You are ten weeks pregnant.”

I got out of the doctor’s clinic completely in a daze. Her words echoed in my head, making my heart beat fast. 

In the midst of grief and pain, finally, there’s some good news, I mused to myself. 

Ecstatic, I could not help the grin that spread across my face, feeling the slight lifting of the weight on my shoulders. 

With renewed vigor, I quickened my steps. The elevator opened.  I walked out, passing the nurse station on my way to the ICU.

“Mrs. Hunter.” The nurse greeted me. 

“Hi. How’s Noah?” I asked the nurse, feeling a little fatigued. 

“Still the same.  Mr. Hunter has not woken up yet.” The statement dampened my enthusiasm. Still, I marched to my husband’s bed, took the chair, and sat down. 

The nurse left to give us privacy. 

I  looked at the dearly beloved face of the man I loved, and longing pierced my heart. Involuntarily, my hand lifted to touch his face. I let the tip of my finger trace his eyelids before brushing the lock that fell down his forehead. 

I noticed he needed a haircut and a shave, too, and made a mental note to bring his personal barber next time. 

“Noah. Wake up.  It’s been weeks.” I murmured, feeling a wave of desolation gripped me as I saw the pallor on his face.

At the same time, I pressed the palm of my hand to my lower abdomen. It was an unconscious act I had been doing since I learned about the pregnancy.  

“Please open your eyes. There is something you need to know.” I told him, trying to stifle the excitement in my voice despite our situation. 

Noah had been confined in the ICU the night of our third wedding anniversary following a vehicular accident that also claimed his parents’ lives. 

It was a trauma I never wanted to relive again. 

I was at the house at the time. I clocked early from work because of a headache but was waylaid later by an impromptu meeting.

Noah stayed at the office and promised to pick me up so we could go to our anniversary venue together, but he never came. 

Our housekeeper later informed me that the police were waiting for me outside. I was so scared when they told me my in-laws passed away and that my husband was in critical condition.

At first, I was confused, and then I was shocked until tears started welling in my eyes, and they ran down my cheeks in torrent. 

My phone rings, cutting me off from my musings.

It’s the company lawyer. 

Quickly, I wiped the tears that ran down my cheek and took a deep breath to remain calm. 

There had been so many things going on at the HUNTER ENTERPRISES. What with Noah’s parents’ untimely death and Noah’s confinement, I had to go back and forth to the hospital and the office to oversee how things were moving. I have to let the business thrive in their absence. 

The HUNTER ENTERPRISES is the fruit of the labor of Noah’s parents, and when he took over and married me, we made it even greater. 

Absent-mindedly, my hand caressed my lower abdomen, and I realized I did have to go to the office. With my condition, I needed to relegate some tasks, heeding my doctor’s advice to take it easy. 

After the call, I got up to drop a quick kiss on Noah’s head. “I have to leave, my love.  Mr. Langley wanted to see me. I will be back later.” I told my comatose husband and left. 

The company is a good two blocks away from the hospital. The weather is perfect for walking, so I decided to walk. I figured I needed the fresh air. Besides, I am craving for something.  

The walk had been good, and after filling my tummy, I resumed my walk. I smiled when I saw the Hunter Enterprises building. 

At the entrance, the guards barred me from entering.

“What is the meaning of this?” I asked in surprise. 

At first, I thought that guys were pranking me, and I laughed it off, but when they did not join me, that clued me in that something was wrong. 

I looked around me and saw heads turned my way. They were eavesdropping!

“Why can’t I enter my husband’s building?” I hissed to cover the sudden shame I felt. 

This was the first time I had been humiliated like this in my husband’s building.  

“We’re sorry, Mrs. Hunter, but it’s Mr. Bryant’s orders.” My brows shot upwards in exasperation. 

Matt Bryant and Noah’s mom are siblings, making the man his uncle. 

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, thinking about the baby. 

“And I am Mr. Hunter’s wife. I get to say who can or can not enter the building that my husband owns.” I told them impatiently. A hint of anger coloring my tone. 

“Not anymore. From now on, you are no longer welcome in Hunter’s Enterprises.” A voice spoke behind me, making me spin around in confusion. It was Uncle Matt. 

Then, in my peripheral vision, I saw Mr. Langley, the company’s attorney, rushing toward me. 

“Mrs. Hunter, I mean Briana, I am sorry.”  He said, handing a folder my way. 

I looked sharply at him, but he was evading my gaze. 

“What’s this?” I immediately checked the papers he handed me. 

Uncle Matt looked on gloatingly. 

My nerves prickled at the arrogance of the man. I tried to ignore it while shuffling the papers inside the folder before a frown marred my face. I don’t understand. 

I turned to Mr. Langley. 

He looked apologetically at me while beads of sweat formed on his forehead. 

He self-consciously used the back of his hand to wipe them while I looked on. 

“I am sorry, Brie. Noah’s firing you as his executive assistant effective immediately. He also ordered me to draft your divorce papers.” Mr. Langley explained while I looked on with that big question mark on my face. 

It was like he was talking alien. His words do not make sense. 

“What do you mean Noah ordered this?” I demanded, gripping the divorce agreement hard. 

“My husband was still in a coma. How can he do this?” I fired, shooting Uncle Matt a glare. 

From the looks of it, I can surmise that this is his handiwork.  

Mr. Langley cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his head. 

“He’s awake, and this is his first order to me.” Mr. Langley replied.  “He’s divorcing you.”