CHAPTER TWO: pregnancy

Nova's eyes trembled slowly as her eyes opened, her vision fluctuating like a camera ready to take its shot. A familiar figure wearing a white coat appeared in front of her with a satisfactory smile. He was Blackwood's family doctor. Doctor Zach.

“Great, Mrs. Blackwood, you're now conscious,” he said while scribbling something into the notepad he was holding. “You didn't suffer any injuries. The car barely hit you, but I guess you passed out from shock,” he said, his smile growing even bigger. “And… congratulations, ma’am, you're three months pregnant.”

Nova's eyes widened. Did he say she was pregnant? She was still struggling with her thoughts, trying to decipher who brought her to the hospital.

“I'd advise you not to get into any strenuous activities, as you might not be so lucky next time.”

“What did you say, doctor?” she asked, placing her hands on her stomach, not believing she was harboring an innocent life inside her.

“You are pregnant, ma’am. I know you're shocked, but I'm sure this will make Mr. Blackwood the happiest man on earth,” the doctor muttered with a toothy grin.

“Zephyr,” Nova whispered, her eyes widening. Could this change his mind and make him want her back? Maybe all he ever wanted was a child. Her eyes lit up with hope. “I think I need to tell my husband,” she mentioned with a spark flickering within her.

“Yes, you should,” Dr. Zach chuckled. “But Mr. Eryx said to wait if you woke up, and he wasn't around.”

“He brought me here?” she asked with a surprised gaze, finally getting answers to her distorted thoughts.

“Yes, Mrs. Blackwood, he was so worried about you. But he left, saying he had an emergency at the office.”

Eryx, always caring. She couldn't help but picture his innocent face, worried to death that she was hurt. Why couldn't Zephyr be sweet like his brother? Nova thought sadly. But come to think of it, Zephyr was once a sweet soul until he changed drastically into a beast two months ago.

“I'm sorry, doctor, but I can't wait. I have to tell my husband right now.” She stood up from the bed, carrying her bag, and storming outside. This child was a blessing to make things right again.

She walked weakly in the serene environment of the estate. This estate was usually quiet because it was harbored by the richest people in California. With Zephyr being the number one richest business tycoon, this was definitely his standard.

It was so crazy how she had been here twice just today. First in the morning and now in the evening. Nova increased her steps, excited at how this news would make Zephyr happy.

However, her steps decreased when a sleek black car parked in front of the Blackwood mansion. A familiar car she could recognize anywhere. It was Zephyr's. He came out before walking to the other side to open the door for Tiana. At the same time, she saw his mother and cousin alighting from the car.

“Oh, I am so excited, Zephyr. I can't believe I'm going to become a grandma soon,” his mother uttered, swinging her hands like an excited toddler.

“What?” Nova exclaimed silently. She hadn't announced her pregnancy to anyone, so how did they find out? Did Dr. Zach call Zephyr already? Or maybe it was Eryx.

She continued walking closer to them until they noticed her. Nova looked down at her hands, fumbling with the hem of her top. “Mother, I never knew you would find out before I even announced the news”. She paused, looking at their faces, expecting happy and proud expressions.

However, it seemed her presence only provoked them. Zephyr's cousin Lillian appeared angry, while his mother felt insulted.

“How dare you show your face here after what you did to my son! And what are you even saying, huh?” Mrs. Blackwood roared. Zephyr just stood there, watching Nova intently.

Nova's head tilted to one side, her eyebrows knitting together in a puzzled line. Weren't they excited because she was pregnant?

“This is what you get for marrying a stripper, Zephyr. I warned you several times, but you didn't listen. Now she keeps following us around, hoping to jilt us out of our wealth,” Mrs. Blackwood echoed with irritation to Zephyr, who had no expression on his face. “I just want this gold digger out of my sight,” Mrs. Blackwood exaggerated with a loud gasp.

“Yes, it was his fault for not listening to his mother when she warned him about marrying someone like Nova.”

“No, that is not it,” Nova tried to defend herself with a trembling voice.

“Shut up, you slut! Aren't you ashamed of what you did to Zephyr? You betrayed him with someone very dear to the family. But that's in the past because he has moved on.” Lilian said with a malicious smirk.

“Betrayal? What betrayal?” Nova was bewildered, but Lilian interrupted her with even harsher news.

“Guess what, Nova?” Lillian's lips curled into a malicious smirk. She was loving the pain in Nova's eyes. She had never liked Nova since Zephyr introduced her to the family. She was a stain on the Blackwoods, a leech that should be removed immediately. “Tiana here is pregnant with Zephyr's child.” She paused for a brief moment before continuing. “You know, I still don't understand why my cousin didn't marry her in the first place. He knew her long before he met you.”

“What?” Nova exclaimed. The pain, sharp and searing, pierced her heart. It was a physical ache, radiating through her chest and into her limbs. “It cannot be,” she muttered under her breath, her eyes darting between the figures in disbelief.

“Yes, Nova. Tiana is pregnant for me,” Zephyr announced as if he were reading some boring news.

Nova immediately placed her hands on her tummy, her chest rising and lowering with each difficult breath. She couldn't possibly tell any of them about her pregnancy. Zephyr might just deny it, and even if he didn't, he would take her child away from her.

Zephyr's mind spiraled into chaos as he looked at Nova's teary eyes. Why did he feel the need to tell her that he forgave her and that they should start again?

No! He almost yelled out loud. He wasn't going back to that cheat, he concluded, before bringing out the divorce papers he had signed. He would start a new life with Tiana from now on.

“Here. I signed it just as you instructed,” he said.

Lilian snatched the papers with a wide grin before throwing them at Nova. “Finally, Nova, you are no longer part of the family.” She placed her hands under her cheeks, feeling nothing but delight and elation.

Nova's hands trembled as she picked up the papers. They were truly signed. She blinked her eyes several times, hoping her eyes were lying. She looked at Zephyr, who couldn't even meet her gaze, and then down at his hands, which held an unbothered Tiana.

This was her cue to leave.

“What are you still doing here? Shouldn't your two tiny legs be conveying you to your wretched destination?” Mrs. Blackwood yelled with aggravation and displeasure.

Nova was already heaving with tears as she started to run away. But just after running a few meters away, she stopped. “Thank you for loving me, Zephyr, that is if you ever did.” She nodded before running as fast as her legs could take her.

She kept running with no idea of where she was heading, and soon she got tired as she knelt with her knees coming in contact with a lot of pressure to the ground. Was Nova a fool for trusting Zephyr? Didn't he promise to protect her no matter what? Didn't he promise to be with her till death do them part?

“It was all a fucking lie?” She muttered under her breath with closed eyes. She was all alone in this wretched and wicked world. And she could hear the voice of her late mother “NEVER TRUST A MAN NOVA”.

I failed Mom. She said to herself. Nova touched her stomach to comfort her unborn child. “It's me and you against the world”. She said as she almost choked on her breath.

She looked around but couldn't understand where she was. She was so weak and tired that her eyes began to close against her will. Was this the end for her?

Just when she

had given up, she heard someone scream her name with so much emotion “Nova!”