Days passed in a blur of empty routines and forced smiles. But as the sun rose on another day, I pushed aside the memories of what I saw in the mall. Of what I and Regan talked about. I promised myself I would try everything I have on this marriage.And that involves staying and giving everything I have. Including chances.As I stirred from my fitful slumber, the weight of exhaustion pulling at my limbs, I found myself greeted by the sight of Regan still sleeping beside me. It was a rare occurrence.His features softened. With each rise and fall of his chest, I couldn't help but admire the sculpted contours of his physique, the gentle curve of his jawline and the way his tousled hair fell in disarray across his forehead. Regan slept with a sense of ease, his chest rising and falling in a steady. The absence of a shirt allowed me to appreciate the taut muscles of his torso. As I watched him, a sense of admiration washed over me. I couldn't help but be drawn to him, to the man who is st
As lunchtime approached, I happily packed the food I had lovingly prepared into a lunchbox. Today is a special day.Susan stands beside me, “I think you should just ask Marlon to send it, Miss Anastasia”I shook my head, "It's been a long time since I've done it myself. And I am sure Marlon must be too tired and sick of delivering lunch for Regan. It is his day off today."But Susan still looked concerned for some reason. “Why? Is there something wrong?”“No, nothing, Miss”I nodded and carried the lunch bag. “I should get going.”“Take care on your way, Miss”I walked out of our house, my house clicking on the garage. I don’t ask for drivers. For me, it was nicer to drive on your own. I entered my Red Mercedes-Benz and sped off the Dynastar Enterprises. It is a billion-multinational company owned by Regan.As I parked my car, I looked at the towering building in front of me. Then I walked inside. The guards greeted me with a polite nod, but I couldn't help but notice the unease that
But just as I took a step, a woman's voice pierced the air from inside Regan's office. I froze, my heart skipping a beat, then seemed to stop altogether, as if time itself had paused in that agonizing moment of realization. Every instinct within me screamed to flee, to escape the inevitable pain that awaited me. Yet, despite the overwhelming urge to run, something compelled me to turn around, my eyes narrowing as I faced the trembling secretary."Who is inside?" My voice was cold."No one, Ma’am. Please, just ignore it and leave."Her pitiful expression only fueled my resolve. "Move.""Ma’am, please, just go back later. I swear no one—""I said step aside."Reluctantly, she bowed, her trembling hands opening a path for me to pass.Without hesitation, I pushed past the secretary, my hands trembling as I reached for the door handle. With a deep breath, I pushed it open.As I entered the room, my worst fears were realized in an instant. Zarina stood before me, her cheeks flushed, and her
As the elevator doors slid shut behind me, I leaned heavily against the cool metal wall. Tears streamed down my cheeks unchecked. I lifted a trembling hand to wipe them away, but they seemed to flow endlessly.As I reached my car, I fumbled with the keys, my hands shaking uncontrollably. The engine roared to life as I peeled out of the parking space, the tires screeching against the pavement. My vision blurred with tears as I drove aimlessly through the streets. I didn't know where I was going, but I didn't care. All I wanted was to escape.To get as far with Regan as I can.It was then that I saw it – a bridge in the distance. Without a second thought, I veered off the main road and drove underneath it. The car came to a stop, the engine ticking as it cooled.With trembling legs, I stepped out of the car and leaned against its cool metal frame, the tears flowing freely down my cheeks. Each sob tore through me like a knife. I doubled over, my body wracked with heaving sobs.The memori
Tonight, I wore my best dress—a sleek, black satin maxi dress that hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating my graceful silhouette. The dress had a plunging neckline and a slit up the side that added a touch of elegance and allure. My dark, wavy hair cascaded down my shoulders, framing my face softly. I meticulously painted my lips a bold shade of red, a striking contrast against my fair skin.I sat in the corner of the restaurant, the glow of candlelight forming shadows across the tablecloth. The ambiance was romantic, but my heart was still heavy with dull ache. After my breakdown, I went back to the mansion like nothing happened.I’ll stay with Regan, with my husband no matter what. That’s what I decided three years ago.I wore my best dress and painted my lips a bold shade of red like always.This restaurant held a special significance for me—it was where Regan had first brought me after he saved me ten years ago. I was 17 when I got lost in the pouring rain, terrified by the thund
As I rose from my seat, a wave of dizziness washed over me, causing the room to spin. The waitress quickly hold my arms."Are you okay, Ma’am?""Yeah, I'm fine," I slurred, attempting to steady myself on the table."Are you sure you should be driving?""I'll manage, thanks though. Just need some fresh air."She nodded reluctantly as I made my unsteady way to the door. The truth was, I was more than fine—I was tipsy, bordering on drunk. I hadn't realized I'd consumed so much wine, but my high tolerance for alcohol often masked the effects until it was too late.Struggling to maintain my balance, I made my way out of the restaurant and to the parking space. My head pounding with every step.“Ugh shit” I groaned, holding my throbbing head.As I approached my car, relief washed over me momentarily. But as I stepped forward, something fell on my face—tiny droplets that quickly morphed into a downpour. I stood frozen, feeling the cold droplets soak through my clothes, mixing with the tears
Regan’s POVI reclined against the headboard, the weight of the whiskey glass heavy in my hand. The scent of alcohol hung thick in the air, mingling with the subtle perfume that clung to Zarina's skin.She shifted beside me, not bothering to cover her naked body. "You should sleep here in the penthouse tonight."I shook my head, taking a long sip of the amber liquid. "No, I need to go home.""Why do you always go home to her?"I paused, grappling for an answer that I didn't have. Why did I always return to Anastasia, even when I knew I shouldn't?"I... I don't know."But deep down, I knew she was right. I should have stayed away from my wife, but something within me resisted. As Zarina's words echoed in my mind, a pang of guilt washed over me. Today was our anniversary, a day that held significance for Anastasia, even if it held none for me. She always prepared for our anniversary, despite knowing that I would never be there to celebrate with her.I don’t know why she can’t let our ma
I stormed out of the penthouse, the sound of Zarina's pleading voice fading behind me as I raced down the hallway. After I reached the parking garage and practically threw myself into my car. The engine roared to life as I slammed my foot down on the accelerator, the car lurching forward as I sped out into the rainy night.Rain pounded against the windshield, the wipers working overtime to clear the deluge. But I barely noticed. All I could think about was Anastasia, alone and waiting, somewhere out there in the storm.“I told her not to wait” I grumbled.For the first time, I pushed the speedometer beyond its limits. When I finally arrived at the restaurant, my heart sank. The doors were locked, the windows dark. Raindrops cascaded down the windows. With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I noticed Anastasia's car still parked in the lot—the red car.I stepped out into the rain, the cold droplets soaking through my clothes. I checked my phone, h
The large garden loomed ahead, its vibrant flowers and sprawling yard basking under the afternoon sun—so bright, so full of life. The contrast made my emptiness feel all the more suffocating.Then, suddenly—SLAP!The force of it sent me crashing to the ground. A sharp sting spread across my cheek, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth where my teeth cut into my lip. I gasped, my mind spinning, the world tilting as I stared at the dirt beneath me, too stunned to move.“Marianne, what the hell?!” Sheila shrieked.And then, in the chaos of it all, her voice sliced through the air like a blade."She’s pregnant!" Sheila’s voice cracked as if the weight of it had finally been too much to bear.The world went still. The air shifted, suffocating and thick with an emotion too heavy to name. Marianne stood frozen, her breath catching in her throat. Her anger twisted into something else—shock, disbelief, devastation. Her lips parted, but no words came out.I could barely move. My body was
Sheila froze. I finally looked at her, and there was nothing in my gaze. No fight. No anger. No will left to argue. Just sheer, crushing exhaustion.“I’m tired,” I murmured. “I feel sick. I don’t want to do this right now.”Sheila opened her mouth to protest, but then she really looked at me. I knew what she saw. I was pale. My lips were dry, almost cracked. The dark circles beneath my eyes were so deep they looked bruised. My hands, resting limply on my lap, trembled slightly.I wasn’t just exhausted.I was broken.Sheila swallowed hard, her frustration shifting into something else—something much more painful.For the first time, she didn’t argue. I just turned my head, looking back out at the horizon, my eyes unfocused, lost in the vast emptiness stretching before me.Sheila was quiet for a moment. I thought she had given up, that she would just walk away like everyone else eventually did.But then, suddenly, she broke.A soft sob escaped her lips, barely audible at first, before it
A Week LaterThe house was quiet. Too quiet.I sat motionless on the balcony of my bedroom, staring out at the vast expanse of green surrounding the mansion. It was a beautiful home—secluded, peaceful, far from the suffocating noise of the city. The kind of place people would call an escape. But for me, it was just another prison.Beside me, the plate of untouched food sat, the scent alone making my stomach twist. Nausea curled in my throat, threatening to rise. It had been this way for days. Every time I tried to eat, I ended up hunched over a toilet, dry heaving until there was nothing left. The exhaustion had settled deep into my bones, dragging me down, and making my body feel unbearably heavy.Susan and the other maids were here. I hadn’t asked them to resign; after Susan had called to tell me they resigned, I told them to stay. I didn’t know why. Maybe I didn’t want to be alone. Maybe I just didn’t care.They moved around the house, doing what they could, but none of it reached
My head shook automatically, small, frantic motions, my chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths. "I—I don’t—what are you—?"Caroline pressed forward, her voice calm but firm. "Regan and Zarina—this is what’s best, Anastasia. You need to understand. The child, their child, deserves—"The words sliced through me like a jagged blade, making me flinch as if she had physically struck me. My ears started ringing, drowning out whatever else she was saying.Zarina’s child.Regan’s child.The bile rose so fast in my throat that I thought I would throw up again. My vision blurred, my hands shaking uncontrollably as I forced myself to focus on Caroline’s face. She was still talking—explaining, justifying, yapping—but the words jumbled together into meaningless noise. I barely recognized my own voice when I finally spoke. It was hoarse, breathless."Is this…" I swallowed hard, forcing the words out, "…because Zarina is pregnant?"Caroline visibly tensed. For the first time, she falter
After Sheila left, silence flooded back into the room, heavy and oppressive. I stared blankly at the untouched tray of food she had left behind. Forcing myself, I took a small spoonful, but the moment it touched my tongue, nausea surged violently. My stomach twisted painfully, and I barely made it to the small bathroom before I doubled over the sink, retching.Tears pricked at my eyes as I wiped my mouth with shaking hands. My body felt drained like all the energy had been sucked out of me. I pressed my forehead against the cool surface of the mirror, staring at the hollow-eyed reflection that stared back at me. The weight of everything—the betrayal, the heartbreak, the loneliness—wrapped around me like an unshakable fog.I forced myself back to bed, curling into myself, arms wrapped protectively over my belly. I wouldn’t cry. Not again. I was too exhausted to cry.Just as exhaustion began pulling me under, the door burst open again, revealing my mother-in-law, and startling me awake.
When I opened my eyes, the room was bathed in pale, cold sunlight filtering through the half-closed blinds. Everything felt disorienting, surreal, and heavy—as if the very air around me pressed down on my chest. For a few seconds, I stared blankly at the white ceiling, the only sound the steady beeping of machines at my side.And then it hit me—the baby.Panic surged through me like wildfire. My hands flew to my stomach, pressing desperately against the blanket. Fear rose so fast it choked me, and I gasped, tears instantly blurring my vision.“No… please, no,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “My baby…”I glanced around frantically, my heart racing. The room was empty. Sheila wasn’t here. No nurse. No doctor. No one to tell me anything. The silence suddenly felt deafening. I couldn't wait another second. I had to know.I pushed myself up, ignoring the sharp ache that jolted through my body. Every movement felt like agony, but I didn’t care. All I could think about was my child. I swung
Susan and the maids rushed toward me as I descended the stairs, their worried faces blurring as my vision swam. My legs felt like they weren’t my own, each step unsteady. The world tilted, and for a terrifying second, I thought I would collapse right there on the marble steps.“Miss Anastasia!” Susan gasped, reaching out just in time to steady me. The other maids circled around, their hands hovering anxiously, unsure if they should hold me up or let me go.I swallowed thickly, blinking rapidly to chase away the dizziness. My chest was tight, each breath a struggle against the sobs clawing their way up.“I’m fine,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, but my body betrayed me as I wobbled again.Susan’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re not fine, Miss. Please, let’s get you some water, sit down for a moment—”But I shook my head, my heart hammering in my chest. No. I needed to leave. I needed to get away from this place, from him. The moment I stepped outside, the cool air hit my
I felt sick. I felt so utterly sick."What if I was pregnant too?" the words came out my mouth before I realized it, my voice so soft I almost couldn’t hear myself.Regan’s head snapped toward me. And for the first time, he hesitated. For a single, gut-wrenching moment, something flickered across his face—something almost human—but it was gone as fast as it came.Then, with the same cold finality, the same knife to my throat, he answered:"Then I would ask you to get rid of it."Silence.I stopped existing. I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry. I just stopped.The world tilted. My body felt weightless, my ears ringing so loudly I couldn’t even hear my own breathing. I stared at him—at the man I had loved more than anything—standing there, looking at me as if I were nothing.I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. I wanted to hate him. I wanted to rip him apart, to throw something, to scream why why why until my throat bled. But I couldn’t do any of it. Because what was the point? He had already ma
The words escaped me in gasps, strangled and desperate. I needed him to stop hurting me. To stop choosing her. To stop breaking me every time he looked at me like I didn’t matter.I gripped him harder, my fingers trembling against his chest. “Why, Regan?” I choked out, “Why did you let it get this far? Why didn’t you—” I couldn’t finish. I couldn’t get the words out. The truth was suffocating me.I lifted my head, looking up at him through the tears streaming down my face. My heart was pounding in my chest, so loud I thought it would burst. My hands shook as I cupped his face, but he didn’t meet my gaze. His eyes were focused somewhere past me, distant. Empty. I didn’t know this man anymore. I didn’t know the man I had loved, the man I had trusted with everything.“I don’t want to hurt anymore, Regan. Please… just make it stop. Please.” My breath hitched, and I clutched him tighter, pressing my forehead against his chest, wishing that I could somehow make it all go away. “I loved you.