Chapter 1

VALENTINA

“Congratulation, Mrs. Jackson. The test is positive. You're five weeks pregnant.” the family doctor's voice replayed in my head. I squealed happily, bouncing on my feet as I took in the sight on the dining. 

“Natt would be so happy.” I cried out happily, my hand went to my stomach and I caressed my stomach through my tee. Wishing I could feel my baby's heartbeat already.

I and Nathaniel had been married for three years, but unfortunately I was unable to conceive. It wasn't an issue at first because Natt loved me and he didn't bother me to give him a child. But the past two weeks had been different, my husband had been keeping his distance from me and I had been walking on an eggshell around him. It was heart-wrenching to think that my husband would be avoiding me; that was unlike him.

“That doesn't matter anymore, right?” I sniffed, tears threatening to fall from my eyes but I didn't let them out. “I’m finally carrying our child, I am going to give him a child and we would go back to how we used to be; a happy couple.” I imagined how surprise Matt would be if I finally tell him and I couldn't just wait for him to get back from work.

I dusted my palm on my shirt, putting my nose to my shirt and I gasped, chuckling like a child. “I smell like cooking oil.” I shook my head and glanced at the wall clock to check the time. I was kinda surprised to see that my husband would be home in the next few minutes.

“I need a shower.” I gasped, giggled heartily as I rushed up to the master bedroom to have a shower and get out of the smelly dress.

I spent about twenty minutes in front of the dresser, checking my reflection in the mirror. My heart was racing happily as I stared at my perfect figure in the mirror.

I was lost in my head, thinking of the perfect way to break the good news to my husband but no matter how I think I was too happy to think of anything. The honking of car outside of our house was what pulled me out of my thoughts. “He’re home.” I breathed out, pressing a palm to my chest to calm my racing heart. 

“It’s just Natt, it's my husband and he would love it no matter how I break the news to him. He loves me. He loves me so much.” I said to my reflection in the mirror who smiled back at me.

My eyes drifted to the table and I grabbed the medical result off the table. “Let’s do it.” I nodded. Sucked in a deep breath before walking out of the room.

I walked to the living room and the aroma of the meal I had prepared for him made me nodded at myself, knowing I had prepared for his arrival and I had had everything planned. I would break the news to him, we would celebrate it with a delicious meal and a glass of wine, he would take me to our room to celebrate the rest on the bed.

I bit down on my bottom lip to stop the dirty grin that had crept up my face. My cheeks were already heated up with, flushing. I had no doubt Natt would want to end the celebration on the bed, that was why I was wearing a nightie that hugged every curve of my body perfectly, giving a naughty vibe. I was prepared for the night.

“Val, compose yourself.” I cleared my throat and hid the file behind my back as I heard keys clicking against the door. The door opened and I swallowed the happy lump that had formed in my throat.

“Hmm,” Natt grunted, stopping on his track upon seeing me standing on his way. I swear, my husband wasn't like that, it was the thought of not been able to conceive that made him that way. Before, he would have rushed at me and give me that cocky smile that I loved so much.

“Hey,” I bit back the grin that was threatening to broke out of my lips. “You’re back.” I pressed my lips together, trying to keep it light.

Natt glanced at me, he looked worn out and I could swear he smelled of booze. He had been drinking, it was only 9:30 p.m. and he had already had a drink?

“Hmm,” he groaned tiredly, he didn't seemed drunk, but I could tell he wanted to be anywhere but near me so I decided to cut to the chase.

“I have news for you—for us.” I gulped, already having a bad feeling about the whole surprise thang.

“No news is good news.” he snickered, running his eyes on my nightie and I didn't miss the disgust in his eyes. He wasn't pleased with what I was wearing even though he used to love me in the nightie. 

Natt arched his brows when I stood there, not saying anything. “Spill whatever bad news you have for yourself, I need to get to bed.” tears were threatening to break out of my eyes at his remark. My husband was sounding offended and distance and I wondered how he switched from being a delighted husband to being a cold man so fast. 

“I went to the hospital yesterday when you left for work, I ran a test and the result came out today.” I gulped, brought my hands from my back and stretched out the file for him to take. He eyed the paper, not taking it from me. “I–” I swallowed hard, not sure if it was the right moment to break suck good news to him.

“You? You what?” Natt groaned out like he was running out of patience.

“I am with a child. We’re excepting a baby.” I sniffed, running a palm on my stomach.

“Good for you.” Natt scoffed, he gave me a once-over look as if I was a dog poop stuck beneath his shoes then pushed past me, his arm brushing violently against my shoulder.

No. I wasn't going to take such attitude from him. I was pregnant for him and he should at least show some love to his child even if he was having some God-knows-what issues with me.

I turned and grabbed his arm, forcing my way to his front. “Nathaniel, seriously?” I yelled, tears streaming down my eyes. “You’re going to keep up this attitude even when I'm with a child?”

Natt yanked his hand from my grip, eyeing me with disgusting look on his face. “You are with a child?” he barked at me, I held my breath, giving a small nod. “God fucking damn it! You're with a child, so what?”

“Natt?” hot tears rolled down my eyes and I hastily wiped it with my sleeve, no, I can't cry. My baby will be sad. “Aren’t you happy that I'm finally carrying our child…”

The rest of the sentence got stuck in my throat as Natt grabbed me by my neck and pushed me to the wall, my back collided with the hard wall and I let out a sharp cry.

“Repeat that statement and I swear, I will fucking kill you.” Natt grunted, eyes blazing with furry and I gasped in shock.

What the hell was going on with my husband? Why the heck was my husband not happy with the news?