chapter 3

Camilla’s POV

I went back to Daniel’s house to pack my things with tears streaming down my face. Even though I had made up my mind, I was still hurting from their betrayal.

Most of the things I have are just clothes I took in from three years ago except the ones that I bought when I started working at Azal company.

There was no single thing about me that could tell people that I married a wealthy man because nothing about me looks rich.

Daniel never gave me anything in our marriage, not even a gift all through, but I kept enduring it, thinking he would reciprocate my feelings one day.

But as I was going, I left the most pricey treasured gift I had ever bought in my life for him and a note for Daniel in a place where he could easily find it to wish him a final goodbye.

I stepped out of the house with no particular place in mind. I was only 18 back then, so I had no friends I could call because they were all in the universities, busy becoming someone great in life, while I was forced to marry a man who never loved me.

I logged into my bank account to realize that I didn't have enough money to last me even for a month because I had used all my money to buy gifts for Daniel, his mother, and my parents just this past month.

Daniel’s mother made it a duty to talk down to me anytime she had a chance, so I used all my savings to get gifts for them. I thought getting them gifts would make her like me, I didn't know that it was all a lie.

Fresh tears welled up in my eyes when I realized I was alone with no one to help me.

With no particular place in mind, I walked aimlessly down the street carrying my bag. The weight of their betrayal, hatred, and rejection pressing heavily on my chest, making it difficult for me to breathe. The life I knew but never even enjoyed was gone, leaving me with sadness and emptiness.

I felt invisible as I wandered around the street, my mind filled with different questions of where I would go and what I would do to take away the pain and also to become someone great in life.

I suddenly felt dizzy as I was going on the street; my head began to spin, my eyes started turning, and before I knew it, everywhere turned dark.

Opening my eyes, lying down on the seat of a car. I could perceive the faint smell of an expensive perfume and I could also hear the voice of a man and woman talking.

“She's awake,” said a burly man, seated in the front seat of the car and staring at me.

“Are you okay, darling?” The voice asked softly. I raised my head to see an elderly woman who was elegantly dressed in an expensive attire sitting beside me. Her face was full of concern as she touched me.

I blinked repeatedly, trying to sit up, but my body felt too weak. “What happened?” I asked anxiously.

“You were lying unconscious in the middle of the road while we were passing by,” she said. “So we are taking you to the hospital.”

I didn't even know if I should thank her or yell at her for saving me. I lay weak on the chair, and tears welled up in my eyes.

We arrived at the hospital where I was placed on admission while the doctor and nurses ran a series of tests on me. I could barely answer their questions, but the elderly woman stood beside me and her presence was strangely comforting.

Few minutes later, the doctor walked in, holding a clipboard. “Ms. Camilla,” he called, and I nodded weakly.

“You fainted due to exhaustion and stress. But that's not all. Congratulations, you are six weeks pregnant.”

My face turned pale as blood dried off my face. His words hit me like a freight train, leaving me speechless.

“Pregnant?” I managed to say it as reality sank in. “Please, do the test again?”

“We have done the necessary confirmation, Ms. Camilla,” he answered with a smile. “Just make sure you register with us before you go because you need to be monitored because of your condition.”

Am I dreaming? My mind raced as I tried to process it. How is this even possible? Yes, Daniel and I have sex regularly, but how can I be pregnant after the divorce?

I was crying uncontrollably. The thought that Daniel divorced me because I couldn't give him a child crossed my mind. I lost everything in just one day and now this child. Where will I start from? Where will I go from here?

I recalled the hurtful words they said to me about being an infertile woman and how God had vindicated me by giving me this pregnancy.

The thought of going back to tell Daniel crossed my mind, but no, I can't. Daniel did not love me? He only used me and dumped me. Nobody loves me, I am alone. The words kept ringing in my head.

The elderly woman who felt pitiful towards me, moved closer to me and gently put her hand on my shoulder.

“Please calm down, Camilla,” she said, her gaze on me. “No matter what you are going through or what you have been through, you will get through it. You are stronger than you think,”

I don't even have the strength to answer her, but her words planted a small seed of hope within me and comforted me.

“My name is Lady Caroline Wesley and I have a foundation that helps people,” she began, introducing herself to me. “I won't force you to tell me what happened to you or who got you pregnant. But I will ask you just one question.”

I stared at her, trying to understand why this elderly woman was still staying beside me after rescuing me from dying on the streets, but I still nodded my head, giving her the go-ahead.

“Do you want a fresh beginning?” she asked, her gaze meeting mine.

I stared back at her, and for a moment, I felt scared. But looking at her gave me a kind of hope I couldn't even explain.

Without thinking twice, I met her gaze and said, “Yes. I want a new beginning.”