Two

Annabelle’s POV

Why does whatever I say or do set him off? It was the same cycle everyday, always fighting over irrelevant things, it is starting to get really boring. I dabbled quickly at my tears to hide them, Adrien despised them; he had warned me countless times against crying and about how it made me seem weak. I cleaned them not wanting to aggravate him any more than he already was.

“Apologies,I didn't mean it that way” I quickly muttered swiping away the stray tears that still escaped,

He laughed in response, a distasteful look on his face. My head was throbbing with an existing bad headache and a certain dizziness I couldn't explain. I slid my hands over to his before speaking,

"Why do we keep doing this,Adrien? Constant fights will not do anything more than destroy our marriage together ” I asked softly, all of these is starting to pull me down badly,

"I won't do anything you don't like anymore,"I pleaded, trying to ignore the emptiness in my heart as I spoke,

I would apologize a hundred times every day even when I had done nothing wrong if it would mean no more fights,

“Tomorrow is our third wedding anniversary,I have a present for you” I quickly switched the topic to lighten the mood, letting go his hands with a small smile I walked towards my dresser where I placed the small gift I got him,

"Uh-uh. Go to bed; I'm tired of staring at your face," he muttered, grabbing his laptop as he left the room. I watched his retreating form as the feeling of rejection grew, guess I would have to sleep alone again tonight.

It was 2am in the morning and I have not been able to get even a wink of sleep, I was burning up badly with the worst headache, the painkillers I took an hour ago didn't seem to be working.

“Maybe a shower will do” I muttered to myself forcefully pushing myself to stand up. Sitting in the bathtub, my mind went over the day's events as I let the water cool my aching muscles. Why couldn’t Adrien just love me back? I was slowly becoming more and more depressed daily; this was not like me at all, I don't deserve any of this. Did I make a mistake marrying him?

"No, I didn't",I quickly denied,I married him because I love him, that couldn't have been a mistake right? A drop of tear fell on my cheeks and the others followed suit, at this point I didn't have control over them anymore, they now have a mind of their own.

My eyes fluttered awake to the relentless beating on the door, did I sleep off in here? Adrien must be really pissed. Shivering already, I managed to walk to door unlocking it for him to come in,

He stared at me a little before bursting into fits of laughter, if this was a different situation where he wasn't laughing at my pain I would have taken my time to admire and compliment him properly because he looked ravishing.He was dressed for work in his black suits and trouser with a white shirt tucked in, displaying his tan chest with two buttons left undone, Adrien always favored leaving two of his shirt buttons undone; he only wore ties on rare events.

"What are you doing here??" His asked his voice as cold as usual,

Adjusting my stance, I reached for a towel and covered myself,

"I suddenly fell asleep last night," I answered, trying to hide my very obvious shivering self, Adrien stared at me disdainfully probably ashamed at my failed attempt to hide how cold I really was, with a small scoff he took off his jacket sliding it over my shoulders to create a little warmth.

I turned to smile at his courteous behavior, “Thank you” I appreciated,

“Whatever” he shrugged rolling his eyes,

“Today is our third marriage anniversary," he spoke up again, he remembered,

"Let us go for dinner later," he offered a slight edge to his tone, although I knew his grandfather always asked him to do it, just like every other anniversary we have had, I would like to tell myself this one is different. I nodded my head in reply as I stretched out my hands and pulled him in for a hug which he reluctantly returned, I could at least bask in the little affection I get on our anniversary right?…

"Don't murder yourself in my house! You should do it somewhere else!” Adrien's powerful voice boomed pulling me out of my fantasy; typical, but can't a lady dream of a little care and affection. I was still seated in the bathtub shaking profusely, with a brooding Adrien towering over me,

Noticing Adrien’s current mood, I quickly got out of the bathtub, grabbing a towel to cover myself, mumbling an apology.

I stood beside him, contemplating my next words,"Let's have dinner together tonight," I said,

"I'm busy,I won't be able to meet up," he coldly replied,

"It's okay," I started clutching his arm, "I’ll wait for you." He grumbled an incoherent reply turning to leave, I would take that as a yes then,

“I'm off to work," he said, exiting the bathroom without giving me the opportunity to reply. I slumped my shoulders dejectedly but quickly straightened knowing I would still get to have dinner with him today.

I quickly had a hot shower this time around to reduce the cold, settling for comfortable joggers and a sweatshirt and then headed downstairs for breakfast.

“Good Morning Emily” I greeted our house keeper, Madam Emily, who was focused on serving breakfast,

“Morning sweetie, I hope you had a good night rest?” she asked as I settled into one of the seats,

“Yes I did” I lied the persistent pounding in my head and the fever from last night a perfect reminder that I definitely didn't have a good night rest,

“That's good to hear” she grinned setting a glass on the table,

“Thank you” I appreciated her once she was done setting up breakfast,

“It is always a pleasure, ” she replied before walking away.

A few minutes into my meal I felt a bile rush up my throat, unable to control it I rushed to the toilet, letting everything out, so much for a nice breakfast this morning.

This wasn't the first time this has happened, in fact this has to be the third time this week, I guess I would have to visit the hospital before dinner today. I can't afford to ruin the day with this sudden sickness, with that thought in mind, I quickly sent a text to my boss from work informing him of my absence for the day. I worked at an art shop where I produced beautiful sketches and paintings, I have always loved to paint and draw since I was a child, the only reason I agreed to go to a business school was because there was no one else to take over from Dad, my sister, Annie, was obviously too far invested in the fashion world to run a business so I had to give up my dream for her. After my marriage to Adrien I decided to take it up once again, I had even painted a little gift for Adrien on our wedding day, silly me to think he would hang it up on the wall or something, he had put it in the attic away from eyes that would admire it’s beauty.

Although, the painting i had made from a picture I had taken of Adrien would always be my favorite, even my boss commended the work saying “all the emotions could be felt through the painting.’’

I discreetly knocked on the doctor’s office as anxiety took over, after a faint ‘come in’ from her, I pushed open the door and walked in,

"Good morning Doctor," I greeted taking a seat opposite her,

“Morning Mrs. Benjamin,How might I be of to you?” the doctor asked with a polite smile, which I happily returned, despite everything I couldn't shake off the joy that filled me as she addressed me by Adrien’s surname.

After explaining to the doctor and giving clear details on how I have been feeling recently she decided that she would have to conduct a pregnancy test,

“A pregnancy test?” I questioned,Adrien has not even slept on the same bed with me for over two weeks now so you can't even picture what our sex life is like,

“Yes, Mrs.Benjamin” she replied, she looked excited for me already,

“I doubt I am pregnant, it must be a flu or something” I argued, I couldn't tell her why I was so sure, it would be embarrassing to say my husband and I have only slept together four times since we got married right? The last time was over a month ago, I said to myself.

“Better safe than sorry, right?” she insisted standing up from her seat, well what is the harm in just checking right?

“Okay then” I agreed,

“Beautiful” she remarked as we walked out.

"So when will I get the results?" I asked once the tests were concluded.

With a little chuckle, the doctor responded, "You can come pick it up later in the day or I'll send it to you through an email.”

I adjusted her clothes as I spoke,"Alright then, you can send it through email, that is fine by me”,

"I'll get going," I informed leaving the room. As I walked towards my car I couldn't help but let my thoughts consume me, Adrien and I never talked about kids, ever, I don't even think he would want to have kids with me considering our relationship, I can't be pregnant, at least not now.

Glancing at the time, I realized I had slept off after lunch, it was 6:30 pm already, Adrien wasn’t home yet meaning dinner would be homemade then, so much for a little anniversary date,

It was almost 8pm when I was done preparing dinner and setting the table, I had dismissed Madame Emily so we could have the house all to ourselves. I sat on the couch deciding to wait for Adrien, grabbing my phone to check my mail, my earlier thoughts tried to resurface, what if I was indeed pregnant?

I feel a lot better after taking the drugs I was given at the hospital but I am still very much interested in finding out what the problem is. Unlocking my phone, I clicked on my Mail app, as my heart was beating rapidly. Opening it, I discovered a message from the hospital was already sitting there, my eyes grew saucers in size as my thumb hovered around it, taking a deep breath I tapped it,

“She was right, I am two months pregnant for a man who doesn't want me” I muttered to myself..