1. He divorce me

Clara's POV

"Congratulations, Mrs. Morgan! You're pregnant. Make sure you prioritize rest for the health of your baby." The doctor said as she passed me my test result.

My hands trembled when I received it. Oh my God! I gently ran my hand over my still-flat stomach as I read my test result. I'm expecting James' baby!

"Thank you, doctor."

This is a wonderful gift for our two-year marriage on our anniversary day. My husband’s return from his business trip is tonight. How will he react when I share the news with him? I can't wait!

I just hope this baby will be the way for James to open his heart to me.

I swung by the minimarket to pick up some cooking ingredients before heading home. I’m going to prepare James' favorite dish for dinner tonight; it’s going to be a memorable night for us both.

"Ma'am, you look so happy today. Would you share the reason with me?" Eda, one of the assistants in our home, asked as I was arranging the groceries in the refrigerator.

"I can't tell you right now, Eda. But this is great news; I'll tell James first before I tell anyone else. He's coming home tonight, isn't he?" I tried to reach him earlier, but there was no response; perhaps he was too occupied with his business.

"Yes, ma'am. Let me prepare the meal; you can rest in your room and wait for him."

"No Eda, today I will make his favorite menu."

Cooking has always been a part of my life since my time in the orphanage after my parents passed away in an accident. Then while staying at my uncle and aunt's house, preparing meals has become my daily routine.

Once all the dinner menus are prepared, I head to my room to shower and get dressed elegantly, applying my most alluring perfume before going downstairs.

The sun has completely dipped below the horizon when I recognize the unmistakable sound of James' car pulling into our yard, followed shortly by the creak of the main door swinging open. 

"James...." I rushed to my husband and embraced him warmly.

The aroma of his masculine perfume enveloped me, so captivating that it stirred a thrill within me. I embraced him closely. Yet, as has been the case since our wedding, James never returned the gesture.

Our marriage was simply a contractual arrangement. James urgently needed a pretend wife to reinforce his position as the heir to his family's business empire, while Uncle Thomas urged me to accept the contract.

"how was your trip?" I tried to smile though I didn't feel James's arms around me. 

He ultimately pushed me away. I glanced up at his handsome face, and he fixed me with a piercing gaze, his thick brow furrowed. 

"You're all dressed up; that's not like you, Clara." 

"I want to look beautiful for you tonight. I've prepared all your favorites; let's go!" 

"Go ahead. I'm exhausted, I want to rest." His cold answer made my heart ache.

"James, just a moment. Oh, and besides, there's something I want to tell you. This is important; you need to know..."

The test results from earlier today remained carefully tucked in my pocket. James needs to know about my pregnancy!

My heart was beating very fast, wondering how he would react later. Would he be happy knowing he's going to be a father? Would he be mad because I wasn't the woman he loved?

"Really? Alright then. There's something to discuss with you as well"

I acknowledged with a nod. It's rare for him to share anything with me throughout our two years of marriage, and now that he finally included me brought me joy. 

"You go first," I said.

James studied my expression before responding with complete certainty. "This marriage can't go on; I will divorce you."

My hand, which had casually slipped into my shirt pocket to retrieve the letter, froze in place. 

"W-what do you mean, James?"

"You know from the start that i love someone else, Clara. I want her now. We need to end our marriage."

I feel my eyes aflame, brimmed with the threat of tears. 

That was the painful reality. I knew that James held another woman in his heart even when we got married.

But why did it still hurt this much?

James said that he could not marry her due to her serious illness, and she had to receive treatment overseas for years. Has she fully recovered now? But what about me? What about the feelings I have for him? What about his baby in my womb?! 

"I'll give the divorce papers to you tomorrow for you to sign them as soon as possible." That was all James said before going up to the room. Abandoned in the chilly living room alone, a tear slipped down my cheek. 

I lost my appetite so I decided to go upstairs. Once I slipped into my pajamas, wiped away my makeup, and ensured there were no traces of tears visible to James, I entered our bedroom. The space we shared for the last two years. On the same bed, we sleep next to each other, sharing an intimate moment like a real couple that loves each other. But, it was all an illusion. 

It was stupid of me to let my feelings get in the way when James saw me as nothing more than a stranger.

My husband was on the balcony when I got into our bed.

"Make sure you get some rest, love; I'll pick you up tomorrow at five. Good night Zoe." I heard James' voice talking on the phone "I love you too, forever."

So that's her name. The woman he loves. Zoe, and never Clara. Now they will hold their wedding and have the happy marriage life they should have.

James looked taken aback when he noticed me already on the bed. He walked closer "Are you crying? What are you, huh? A five-year-old?

I shook my head, gripping the bedsheet tightly. Who wouldn't feel their heart shatter upon hearing their husband express love for another woman? 

"Can I sleep here, or should I use the guest room?" I shifted the topic. We're approaching divorce, he may prefer not to have me in his bed anymore. 

"You will sleep with me as long as you're still my wife." I can feel his presence filling the space beside me on the bed. "Just a heads up, Clara: don't forget our anniversary dinner tomorrow night. Our last anniversary dinner." 

God, a dinner to celebrate our last anniversary? I didn't know if i should be happy or not.