1

“Get rid of it,” Nicholas said in a drunken tone. 

Reyna stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest, as Nicholas’s words hung in the air like a heavy, toxic cloud. The scent of alcohol on his breath added an extra layer of bitterness to the atmosphere. She had never seen him like this, and a cold shiver ran down her spine.

“Get rid of it,” he repeated, his voice slurring with the effects of the alcohol. Reyna’s mind raced, trying to process the cruelty in his words. She thought about their shared dreams and the promises they had made to each other when they exchanged vows. Now, everything seemed to crumble around her.

“No,” she finally said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions within her. “I won’t. This is our child, Nicholas. How can you even suggest such a thing?”

Nicholas’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint surfacing as he took a step closer. “Our child? This…this was not part of the plan, Reyna. I can’t have a child right now. It will ruin everything I’ve worked for.”

Reyna’s shock transformed into anger. “Worked for? What about us? What about the life we planned together?”

He scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. “Us? There is no ‘us’ anymore. You’re being naive if you think we can have a child and everything will be fine. Do you realize what it means for my career? I won’t let you ruin everything.”

The reality of his words hit Reyna like a punch to the gut. The man she thought she knew, the one she had stood by through thick and thin, seemed like a stranger. She squared her shoulders, determined to stand her ground.

“You can’t dictate my choices, Nicholas. This is my body, our child, and I won’t let you decide its fate. If you can’t accept this, then maybe we have bigger problems than I thought.”

His face contorted with anger, and Nicholas’s composure slipped further. “You’re being hysterical, Reyna. I won’t let you ruin my life with this mistake.”

The argument escalated, with voices rising in intensity until the room felt suffocating. In the heat of the moment, Nicholas’s patience snapped. His hand swung, the force of the slap echoing through the room. Reyna stumbled backwards, the sting on her cheek accompanied by a deep, searing pain in her chest.

Silence settled between them, broken only by the distant sounds of the city beyond. Reyna touched her throbbing cheek, her eyes burning with a mix of disbelief and hurt. Nicholas, too, seemed to realize the gravity of what he had done, but the remorse in his eyes was quickly replaced by a defensive glare.

But before either of them could say another word, the door swung open, revealing the concerned face of a housemaid who had undoubtedly heard the commotion. Shock and embarrassment flashed across her features as she took in the scene.

“Is everything alright, Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed?” She stammered, her eyes darting between the couple.

Reyna, her cheek still throbbing, summoned every ounce of composure. “Yes, everything’s fine. It was just a little argument. We’ll sort it out.”

The housemaid hesitated but nodded, closing the door behind her as she retreated. Left alone once more, the room felt like a battlefield, strewn with emotional debris from a clash that had exposed the fractures in their marriage.

“You pushed me to this, Reyna. You need to understand,” he spat, his tone defensive.

She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “There’s no excuse for this, Nicholas. There is no excuse for treating me like this or for treating our child like a burden.”

The weight of the truth hung in the air, and Nicholas seemed to deflate, sinking onto a nearby chair. Reyna took a moment to gather herself before speaking again.

“How do you think people will react when they find out a lawyer, a respected figure like you, is suggesting something like this?” She retorted, her voice carrying a mix of anger and sorrow. “Do you want this scandal to define your career?”

Nicholas shook his head in irritation. “Do you really think anyone would believe your accusations about my reputation?” he said acidly. “I’m one of the most respected lawyers in the state. My clients know they’re in good hands.”

Reyna swallowed back tears, though his words cut deep. She knew the justice system was far from perfect, and their influence likely protected Nicholas. But she had to stand up for herself and what was right.

“Maybe the law can’t touch you, but I still have a choice,” she replied, lifting her chin defiantly. “I won’t let you control me or what I do with my body. This is my decision.”

Nicholas’s expression darkened dangerously. “We’re not finished discussing this,” he said in a low tone that sent a chill through her. She took a tentative step back, suddenly scared of the man before her.

In the tense silence, Reyna realized their relationship had deteriorated beyond repair. She needed to get away from his toxic influence, for both her safety and well-being. But it wouldn’t be easy to escape Nicholas’s shadow—or the retaliation she feared would come.

The door swung open with an abruptness that startled both Nicholas and Reyna. In walked Olivia, her entrance almost choreographed to the unfolding drama. She strode in with an air of purpose, a folder in hand, her eyes fixed on Nicholas. It was as if she had been waiting for the perfect moment to make her entrance.

Reyna’s cousin, Olivia, was the epitome of the “pick me” attitude — always seeking validation and attention, especially from Nicholas. Her constant desire to please him had often rubbed Reyna the wrong way, but at this moment, it seemed Olivia had a role to play in the unfolding saga.

Nicholas’s face lit up with a mixture of surprise and delight at Olivia’s unexpected arrival. She handed him the contents of the folder and without a second thought, he enveloped her in a tight hug. “We’re pregnant!” he exclaimed, the joy in his voice cutting through the tension in the room.

Reyna’s heart sank. She felt a surge of anger and betrayal as she watched the scene unfold before her. The realization that Olivia might have known about this plan all along gnawed at her, deepening the rift between the cousins.

Reyna stared at Olivia in shock and disbelief. “We? What are you talking about?” she demanded. “Nicholas is married to me. How can the child be his?”

Olivia smirked cruelly. “Really, Reyna, did you think Nicholas wanted to be tied down so young? He’s been seeing me on the side for ages.”

“That’s a lie!” Reyna cried, tears spilling down her cheeks. She turned to Nicholas, pleading. “Tell her she’s wrong, darling. Tell me this isn’t true!”

But Nicholas looked away, unable to meet her eyes. The silence and his lack of denial spoke volumes. Reyna felt her world crashing down around her.

Olivia laughed, her true malice emerging. “You were just a shiny trophy wife for Nicholas. I’m the one who truly understands him.” She ran her hands over her stomach proudly.

Rage bubbled up in Reyna’s chest, overtaking her pain. Before she knew what she was doing, she swung at Olivia. Her fist connected with Olivia’s face with a satisfying crunch.

Olivia cried out in shock and clutched her nose, which was already beginning to swell and bruise. “You stupid bitch! You’ll pay for that!”

Nicholas leapt forward to restrain Reyna, pulling her away from Olivia. “Calm down, both of you!” he shouted.

Reyna wrestled out of his grip, fixing him with a searing glare. “Don’t touch me. I never want to see your face again.” She stormed out of the room, oblivious to the tears streaming down her face.

Reyna raced upstairs blindly, her vision blurred by tears. She slammed the bedroom door behind her and crumpled to the ground, her body wracked with painful sobs.

How had her life unravelled so completely in just a few short hours? The man she loved, the future they’d planned—it had all been a sham, a tissue of lies. And now she was trapped in this gilded cage with no way out.

Or was there? A spark of fury ignited within her, burning away the fog of grief. Nicholas thought he could betray her and face no consequences. Well, he had badly underestimated her.

Reyna steeled her nerves and rose on shaking legs. Her gaze landed on her suitcase, and she made a swift decision. Within minutes, she had packed only the essentials—clothes, documents, and cash. Anything more valuable could be replaced.

As she crept downstairs, the sounds of loud voices from the parlour gave her pause. “Reyna and I will speak to the lawyers tomorrow,” Nicholas was saying. “If she refuses, to comply…they’ll take care of her.”