“ Congratulations Mrs Wells, you are two weeks pregnant.” The doctor’s words repeated played on my head as I headed out of the hospital. “Oh my God! Lance and I are having a baby, this is officially the best day ever!” I sequeled in happiness as it was so hard for me to believe that something this amazing could happen to me after everything that I had went through in my marriage with Lance. At the thought of Lance, a slight frown flashed across my face. Lance has been acting totally weird over the last couple of months. He’s getting distance, more angrier at me for making a slight mistake and even hit me few times. It's been four good years since I married Lance. I gave up him everything and abandoned so much for him but he gave me nothing except pain and despair. I knew Lance had always loved another woman; Ashely Miller, the woman who abandoned him. But with this child, I knew everything would change between us. Putting tthe test results on my bag, I walked down the hospita
I got out of my car and headed into the house, only for me to find both my mother-in-law, Laura, and sister-in-law, Morgan, at the entrance of the house with packed boxes. Seeing them like this, surprised me and at first, I actually thought they were traveling somewhere but with their dressing, it definitely doesn't look so. "Heading somewhere?" I asked with a bright smile on my face but Morgan only smirked at me as she replied me in a rude manner. “No, Maya. We’re not going anywhere. You are.” "What do you mean?” "Mom, she's a real drama queen. How can she act like everything's fine when Lance just served her divorce papers on a hot plate?" Morgan's said in a mocking tone that cut deep. What the fuck! They already know about everything? “Let's not say much. Just leave immediately.” My mother-in-law said with a dismissive hand in the air as Morgan continued making jest of me. The smile on my face faded immediately and my shoulders slumped. I really had no idea they already kn
I stumbled down the drenched streets of LA, my clothes clinging to me, heavy and soaked from the rain. Although the downpour had stopped, a bitter chill remained, and each raindrop that lingered felt like an icy needle pressing into my skin. Wrapping my arms tightly around myself, I shivered as a cold wind sliced through the empty streets. As I dragged my heavy feet forward, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a foggy storefront window and for a moment, I froze, staring at the massive figure staring back at me. My eyes roamed over my face, my chest, then to my entire body, and a weary, hollow expression grace onto my face. As I looked at my own reflection, for the first time in my life, I hated what I saw. I hated myself. I hated the way I looked and the way I felt, the weight of everything pressing down on me. Growing up, I’d been teased mercilessly by families and even mates for my plus-size figure, but I’d always found solace in the belief that there were at least three people
I sat on the hard chair of the dimly lit police station with my hands trembling. I had never been to this place and what scared me most about this place was the the loud voices of thugs and criminals. And yet, here I was, caught between regret and humiliation. I was also surrounded by strangers and criminals. Glancing around, I swallowed hard, trying to remind myself that not everyone here was guilty of being here. After all, I wasn’t either. After some minutes, one of the cops from earlier returned and sat across from me, holding a clipboard. His stare was unyielding as he tapped his pen against the paper, a hint of impatience lining his face. “Alright, miss. You need to call someone to come down here,” he said, his tone brusque. “as you’re facing assault charges.” “ Assault charges?” I repeated and he nodded. No matter what I say to defend myself, they just won't believe me. I have been telling them since that I didn't hit him hard but it's just as if they had set their mind on a
After four long years of endurance, endless nights of tears, and the quiet, gnawing ache of one-sided love, here I was—divorced, broken, but not defeated. Eight months ago, I had thought my marriage to Lance left me with nothing but scars and regrets. Yet, as I cradled my daughter Bella, watching her tiny face as she slept, I realized she was my unexpected miracle, my blessing born from pain. Bella yawned softly, her pink, toothless mouth stretching as her tiny hand instinctively reached up, gripping my finger. My heart swelled at the sight of it, remembering the intensity of her birth. The labor pain was like fire coursing through my veins, far more excruciating than anything my mother had described when I wasn still pregnant. But holding Bella now, I felt every ounce of that pain was worth it. I'm now back to my parents house, it was a difficult journey but I'm still trying to reclaim my life back, especially when my parents had lied to everyone that their daughter was studying in
I looked at my father and for a moment I was speechless, disbelief freezing my words. I also glanced at Mom, hoping—no, pleading—for a sign that this was some twisted misunderstanding. But her face mirrored Dad’s expression: as if I was demanding for a child I never have…as I I was crazy, that was how they are looking at me. My body trembled as I now realize what my parents are demanding from me. Yes, I knew that I must pay a price for returning leaving them and then return back….but not this…not with my own daughter. I made the decision to come back home because of her, not to lose her. “No,” I breathed, shaking my head. My lips trembled as I struggled to form words. “Dad… please… tell me this is some kind of horrible joke. Bella… she’s my daughter. She's also your own granddaughter!” Dad’s gaze hardened. “No, she is not! And.. will never be a Roderigo.” He thundered. “ You have humiliated me far enough and now you will abide by my own decisions. That ‘child,’ as you call her, will
****LANCE'S POV**** I stood at the edge of the terrace of my mansion, overlooking the everywhere bathed in evening lights. The skyline stretched endlessly before me, a concrete jungle of success and power that I’d conquered, bit by bit. Six years ago, I was already at the rock bottom, at the edge of losing it all but now I have acquired it back, not all but I'm now stable. In one hand, I held a glass of wine; the other rested in my pocket as I leaned forward, but the taste felt as hollow as the accomplishments that filled my life. I had it all back now or so they said. The fame I wanted, the wealth that I never wanted to exhaust and the Influence with more powerful people across the world. But still, there was something missing that not even the finest champagne or most lavish parties could not replace. And I knew exactly what was missing in my life: it nothing but a pair of honey-brown eyes that once lit up my mornings, a warm smile that washed away my worries whenever I looked at
*****MAYA'S POV**** I took a deep breath as I leaned back in the plush seat of the limousine, my gaze settling on my own reflection in the dark, tinted window. For a brief moment, I almost didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me. It seemed like I was looking at a completely different person. I hadn’t undergone any plastic surgery or liposuction; I earned this look and my toned body through hard work, sweat and dieting. Betsy and Mia were there to support me every time I felt like giving up, especially on days when I couldn't resist the urge to eat. And of course…our little Bella whose smile alone was worth every sacrifice. I had also changed my name from Maya to Ariel. Just wanted to leave everything behind. My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my reverie and a smile graced my face as it was no other than Betsy. “Hey, I just arrived,” I said softly, a smile already forming. “Finally! I’m already missing you like crazy, even though you just left!” Betsy’s voice was a comforti
~~~~BELLA'S POV~~~~I curled up on my bed, hugging my stuffed bunny tightly against my chest. My fingers gripped its ears tightly as if I was passing my pain onto it but no matter how hard I squeezed, it didn’t make the pain go away.My pillow was already wet with tears, yet they wouldn’t stop falling. My throat hurts from crying, but my heart… My heart hurts even more.They all lied to me, even Mommy…So Mommy is not my real mom, but Miss Ariel. And my dad who I have always been curious about all my entire life was actually Lance. How could they all hide this from me? They have been lying to me all these years, making me curious about my own entire existence. And Miss Ariel… I really thought she loved me. I remember how she always told me she did, so everything was nothing but lies.She hated me and that was why she never told me she was my mother.But why didn’t they want me? Was I such a bad child that they couldn’t accept me?“Bella, can you please open the door and talk to me?
~~~LANCE'S POV~~~I stood from my seat and gently pulled the bedsheet up, tucking it around Bella’s small frame. She looked so small on the hospital bed with a thick bandage wrapped around her head.I should have been more careful. If I had been, she wouldn’t be lying here like this.As she lay there, her face was pale but peaceful, and I could see the steady rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.It was good to see her getting better, but she had just not woken up yet. The doctor just left and said she's now much better and that we should be expecting her to wake up soon.But I was a little tense. How would I even begin to explain myself when she woke up? What words could possibly justify the years I had not been by her side? No matter what I said, no matter how I tried to rationalize it, the truth remained the same; I had failed her.I lowered myself back onto the chair beside her bed, my heart aching as I gazed at her. After all these months of knowing I had a child, I had no
As the words left my mouth, time seemed to stop for a moment. Lance didn’t move nor blink. He just had his eyes locked onto mine, and I saw them filled with emotions I couldn’t name. Was it anger? Or shock? Or maybe disbelief?I didn’t really know. His lips parted slightly, and a small, shaky breath escaped. “What?”“ So you will donate. And I own you one and nothing more.”His lips trembled like he wanted to say something, like he wanted to yell or ask questions. But no words came out of his mouth. Was he too shocked or maybe he was holding them back?I looked away because I couldn’t take it anymore.Lance didn’t say another word to me. He just turned to the doctor. “Where do I donate?” His actions surprised me as I expected him to explode or to question me about how it is possible as he even had a DNA done or even get angry that I had kept this from him. But I was a little surprised as I had imagined this moment so many times but in every version, Lance never reacted like this.Wa
~~~MAYA'S POV~~~I run through the hospital doors like a madwoman. The shoes I am wearing feel a little uncomfortable, which means I must be wearing them wrong, but I don't really care.Right now, I am not in my right mind. No mother would be.When Lance was rushed here last time, I had prayed to never experience this again—to never have someone I love lying in a hospital bed.But it has happened again. And to Bella.We were celebrating Betsy’s success, as she had successfully opened her resort, when Lance's call came in. In fact, right now, I'm managing to stay upright as I am still under the influence of alcohol."Bella… where is Bella?" I demanded as soon as we reached the reception. My voice was shaking, my breath uneven, as I really can't even imagine the condition my poor baby is in.Mia, Betsy, and I stood there, eagerly waiting for the nurse to say something—anything.“The patient?” she asked.“No, a fucking goat! Do you treat those here?” I snapped, frustration and fear twist
~~~LANCE'S POV~~~ “We’ve been sitting here for six damn hours,” Bryan muttered, rubbing his temple. “Not a single damn fly has walked out of that place. I think it’s time we give up and try another method.” I didn’t look at him. My eyes stayed on the entrance of The Haven Lounge. “No, I'm sure this is the best way to catch him. If we go in there, he’ll see us coming and slip out before we even know where to look.”Bryan groaned, sinking further into his seat. “I get that, but I actually have real work to do. Unlike you, I can’t afford to waste my whole day on a wild goose chase.” I turned my head slightly, catching the frustration etched all over his face. His jaw was clenched, brows drawn together and his fingers were tapping impatiently against the steering wheel. I could clearly see that he’s at his limit. “Relax, I’m damn sure he’s in there and my gut is telling me that he’ll show his face soon. So just chill. And besides, aren’t lawyers supposed to fight for justice? I got in
Walking toward Betsy, she gave me a disdainful look. “You know you’re such a bad person, Ariel.”“Am I?”“Like… How could you not tell me about this beforehand? Do you know how shocked I was? I nearly fainted!”I laughed, shaking my head as I finally got what she was saying. “Oh, sweetheart, I'm really sorry. I wanted to, but I don't really think it's such a big deal.”Betsy sighed dramatically before shaking her head. “You really have no idea what you made me do. I literally blew up all his lines with messages and insults when you went missing after the ruined wedding day. I was so mad at him that I thought he was the one taking you for granted.”I raised a brow, curious. “What did you say to him?”She bit her lip before groaning. “Let’s just say I gave him a piece of my mind.”That’s not good.But looking at Kingsley, I don't really think he still remembers that.“I’m sure he didn’t take it to heart.”She pouted. “I still feel bad, though.”I waved my hand dismissively before taking
~~~MAYA'S POV~~~A smile tucked at the corner of my lips as I pictured Ashley’s entire expression. When she entered at first, she had no idea that she wasn't the only one here, as everywhere was dark, with light only focused on the table, which was set for Kingsley and Lysol, and also on the piano.I watched her as she played the piano well, pouring all her soul into it, and even the tone moved me. But when there was a loud burst of confetti and she snapped her eyes open, I could not help but burst into laughter when she first saw the proposal banner with Lysol's name on it.Poor Ashley.She had truly believed he was going to propose to her and had held onto that belief so tightly, probably imagining herself in a white dress, standing beside him in front of a crowd.Like, I really couldn’t deny that seeing her crushed expression gave me some satisfaction. Well, after everything she had done, after all the pain she had caused me, wasn’t it fair that she got a taste of her own medicine?
When I arrived at Ambrosia Hall, my heart was beating so fast that I felt like it would burst st any moment. A waiter led me to a private room, and when the door opened, I froze on sight.The room was dim, and a single beam of light illuminated a beautifully set table. There was a bouquet of roses in the center and the sight was so romantic that I felt tears prick my eyes.But as I stood there, I couldn’t stop the small voice in my head. “You worked hard for this. Every humiliation, every pain, every tear…you really deserve this.” And then I saw him—Kingsley, standing tall in a black tuxedo suit with his hair perfectly styled. He looked so handsome that I couldn’t help but stare, my heart racing with every step he took toward me. “You’re here.”“Yeah,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady even though I was trembling inside. “I came as fast as I could. Your message sounded urgent.”“Thanks,” he said, his lips curling into a warm smile. “And you look beautiful tonight.”I could f
~~~ASHLEY'S POV~~~The aura in the air was already screaming that there was something serious she wanted to say to me. And the way her arms were crossed and her lips were pressed together in that tight line I hated, proved my right. Mom called me earlier this morning saying she wanted to see me but I was busy, so I showed up now and the way she was looking at me told me this conversation wasn’t going to go well.“How long, Ashley,” she said after a moment of silence.“How long what?”“How long will you keep living like this?”“Living like what, Mom? I'm totally living my best life.” She let out a long sigh and shook her head like I was some hopeless child who didn’t understand the world. “This isn't your best life, neither is it the kind of life I wanted for you. I thought you're smarter than these but you keep disappointing me. Look at yourself, Ashley. You have no job and no money and nothing to your name except being Kingsley Bane’s girlfriend. Is that all you want to be? A gir