01

Zia POV

The doctor put on his spec, and sat up straight, a smile spreading across his face. "Mrs. Audrey, you're going to have a baby!" he announced.

My heart raced fast, I couldn't believe it. How could this be happening? It felt really impossible.

My friend Mira looked surprised, her eyes wide with excitement. "Did you just say she's pregnant, doctor?" she asked, her voice filled with joy.

The doctor nodded, "Yes, she's one month pregnant." He answered.

My mind flashed back to that night, the moment that changed everything. I felt a wave of sudden fear wash over me.

"How can I be pregnant?' I whispered to myself. But Mira's eyes shone with happiness. "I'm so happy for you, you're finally going to be a mom! This is a new beginning for you and your husband" She said, playing with my chin, while I only fake a smile.

What did Mira know? She had no idea that my marriage was a loveless arrangement, a contract that explicitly excluded pregnancy. And now, I was carrying a child, violating the terms of our agreement. I had no idea what the consequences of breaking the contract would be, but I knew they wouldn't be good. My mind raced with fear and uncertainty, wondering what lay ahead.

As we left the doctor's office, Mira was over the moon with excitement, already imagining all the fun she'd have with her future godchild. "I'll take you on adventures all around London, we'll play and watch the New Year's fireworks together!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with joy.

But I was lost in my own thoughts, my mind racing with worries. How would I tell Lorenzo I was pregnant, despite his warnings? I felt trapped and scared, wishing there was a way to escape this difficult situation. Most women would be thrilled to discover they're pregnant, but I wasn't one of them. My heart felt heavy with anxiety, fearing the future and the consequences of my actions.

My gaze met the distraught couple beside me, the woman's sobs piercing the air. "Why am I so unlucky? I've lost my second pregnancy!" she wailed, her body shaking with grief. Her partner tried to comfort her, but she pushed him away, consumed by despair.

I felt a pang in my heart, my hand instinctively reaching for my stomach. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I empathized with her pain. Oh, how I wished I was the one who had suffered a miscarriage, instead of carrying this burden that threatened to destroy my life.

As we walked through the hospital corridors, my world was turned upside down. There, standing in front of me, was Lorenzo, my husband, with his ex-girlfriend, Sophia, his first love, the woman who had left him heartbroken and shattered. My heart raced pounding in my chest, my mind reeling with questions. Why were they here together? What did she want after all these years?

A mix of emotions churned inside me - shock, anger, fear, and a deep sense of betrayal.

I wondered what secrets they were sharing with the doctor, my mind racing with suspicion. Why had Lorenzo followed Sophia here? I felt a pang of jealousy and insecurity, but quickly suppressed it. Who was I to question him, anyway?

Mira's voice snapped me back to reality. "Isn't that your husband? What's he doing with another woman? Should I confront him?" she asked, her eyes blazing with indignation.

I grabbed her arm, holding her back. "No, what are you doing? Are you trying to dig my grave?" I whispered urgently, my heart racing.

Mira scoffed. "You're so unbelievable! You're carrying his child, and that's the power you hold. Don't let him get away with this!"

I forced a smile, trying to appear confident. "I know, but we don't need to make a scene here. I want to announce my pregnancy to him at home. Let's just pretend we didn't see them," I lied, my eyes fixed on the trio, my heart heavy with anxiety.

Little did Mira know, the pregnancy was a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode and shatter my world. I couldn't reveal the truth just yet, so I kept up the charade, my emotions in turmoil.

Just as I was about to escape with Mira, Lorenzo's eyes locked onto mine, and I knew I was trapped. He had seen me, and there was no way to avoid this awkward encounter. I forced a smile as he and Sophia approached me, my heart racing so fast.

"What are you doing here?" Lorenzo asked, his tone neutral, but his eyes piercing.

I lied, trying to sound convincing. "I'm here to see my mom. You know she's very ill." My voice trembled slightly, and I hoped he didn't notice.

Lorenzo scoffed, and I smiled, trying to appear calm. Mira looked disappointed, but she couldn't intervene.

Sophia's eyes narrowed. "Who's she?" she asked, her voice dripping with suspicion.

I hesitated, my lower lip trembling. "I'm Zia, Mr. Lorenzo's secretary," I lied, trying to sound confident.

Sophia's expression changed from suspicion to relief, and Lorenzo's gaze lingered on me, his expression unreadable. I couldn't decipher whether he was unhappy that I had denied him as my husband or excited that I was hiding our relationship. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty.

"Let's go," Sophia said, her voice commanding, and Lorenzo obeyed without hesitation. They walked away together, leaving me feeling powerless and betrayed. I realized that Sophia still held a significant influence over Lorenzo, even though he was married to me. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and insecurity.

Mira's voice snapped me back to reality. "What was that? Did you actually lie about who you are?" she asked, her tone laced with disbelief.

I forced a chuckle. "You know Lorenzo doesn't like me introducing myself as his wife. He would be very mad."

Mira's response was a sarcastic laugh. "What's wrong with you? I feel like I've lost my friend. This isn't you. What's going on?"

I shook my head, avoiding eye contact. "Please, let's not talk about it. Let's go see my mom."

Just then, Mira's phone rang, and she answered it, her expression changing from concern to urgency. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I'm needed at work," she said, already turning towards the exit.

With that, she rushed away, leaving me alone in the hospital hallway. I sighed and continued towards my mom's ward, my heart heavy with emotions and my mind racing with thoughts.

As I approached my mother's bedside, I gently stroked her face, and her eyes slowly fluttered open. She gazed at me with a mix of pain and love, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Zia, my dear, how are you?" she whispered, her voice weak and fragile, as she grasped my hand with a trembling grip.

I forced a smile, trying to hide my worry. "I'm fine, Mom. Don't worry about me. How are you feeling?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.

She attempted a smile, but it was clear she was in agony. "I'm...I'm okay, dear. Just a bit tired," she lied, her eyes darting away, unable to meet mine.

I knew she was hiding the truth, but I played along, not wanting to upset her further. "That's good, Mom. Lorenzo sends his love and best wishes for your recovery," I lied trying to make her happy..

I knew she was hiding the truth, but I played along, not wanting to upset her further. "That's good, Mom. Lorenzo sends his love and best wishes for your recovery," I lied, trying to make her happy.

Her eyes lit up with a hint of excitement. "Oh! My son-in-law. That's nice. When are you both going to give us a grandchild? You know I have only a few months left. I barely have a year to live," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Tears rolled down my eyes as I held her hand, trying to hide my emotions. "Mother, why are you so desperate for a grandchild? You're focusing on that instead of your recovery," I asked, my voice trembling.

She squeezed my hand, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm not desperate, dear. I just want to know that you'll be okay after I'm gone. I know how hard it was for me to grow up without your father. I don't want you to feel lonely without me around. A child will fill the space in your heart. Remember, I barely have a year left," she said, her voice breaking.

My heart was aching, and I couldn't hide my sadness anymore. I wanted to tell my mom the truth, but I didn't want to hurt her. So I pretended everything was okay. "Mum, you'll be fine," I said, gently stroking her hair. My voice was shaking, and my eyes were welling up with tears.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a message. I quickly checked it, and my heart sank. It was from Lorenzo. "We're having dinner with my mom. Be there on time, and don't mess up," the message read. I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. I didn't want to leave my mom's side, but I knew I had to go.

I tucked my phone back into my bag, feeling a mix of emotions: sadness, anxiety, and guilt. I didn't know how much longer I could keep up this act, pretending everything was okay when it wasn't.