Chapter 1

"You're pregnant. Congratulations, Mrs. Worwick."

The doctor's words left me stunned.

Pregnant? That's insane!

As I drove home, every possible emotion hit me at once — panic, fear, anxiety, but also an overwhelming happiness. I'd always wanted to be a mother, but that didn't make it any less terrifying.

I got home and started preparing a special dinner for my husband. I wanted to share the news in the most beautiful way possible, and what better way than with a candlelit meal?

I took care of absolutely everything, even set candles on the table for an elegant touch. I was incredibly anxious. Maybe it was the pregnancy, but I couldn't shake this nagging feeling of unease in my stomach. I decided to ignore it. Nothing was going to ruin this moment. Nothing.

When my husband arrived, it was already past midnight. That didn't surprise me — he always works tirelessly to keep his company afloat.

"My love!" I exclaimed, beaming. "You're home, Daven!" Like a giddy little girl, I threw myself into his arms and kissed him. He kissed me back immediately, despite being exhausted.

"Sorry I'm late, baby." He replied, gently stroking my cheek. I shook my head and gave him a smile. "It's fine. I made dinner. And I have some big news for you!" I said, bursting with happiness. He raised an eyebrow and smiled, but before he could respond, his phone rang.

I noticed the way he looked at the screen, his expression turning dark.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I need to take this call." He didn't give me a chance to respond. He walked outside and answered. I couldn't hear what he was saying "he was speaking in a near-whisper" but there was something in his voice, something surprisingly tender.

Barely five minutes later, he came back inside, grabbed his keys, and looked at me.

"Don't wait up for me tonight."

That was all he said before he left, leaving me in shock.

What the hell was that?

The unease inside me grew, along with my anxiety. But I trusted my husband. It was probably a work emergency. Yes, I was sure of it.

That night, my husband didn't come home to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, I checked my phone — not a single message from him. I turned on the TV and put on the news, a daily habit. It's always good to know what's going on in the world.

I was about to make myself a coffee when I froze at the top story.

"Actress Marizza Lancaster has returned to London."

I knew that name all too well. That woman... She was my husband's first love. The uneasy feeling in my gut only intensified. My husband hadn't come home last night, and I couldn't stop replaying how he'd rushed out the moment he received that call. But he wasn't with her... right?

"And that's not all! She was spotted at the airport with a mysterious man. Could he be her partner?"

I stared at the TV screen, and there he was — my husband — beside his first love. His arm was around her waist as he guided her away from the fans. You couldn't see his face clearly, but a wife knows her husband, and that man was Daven.

The pressure in my chest made it hard to breathe. My mind started spiraling.

"He didn't come home last night because he was sleeping with her."

"You always knew you were just a replacement."

"No matter what you do, you'll never measure up."

I tried to push those intrusive thoughts aside and went to work. It's the same company my husband owns — I'm his assistant.

When I arrived, I threw myself into my tasks. I hadn't seen my husband since he left last night, and I still hadn't seen him now because he'd been tied up in back-to-back meetings. But it was maddening, because every single one of my coworkers was buzzing about Marizza.

"Miss Lancaster is back, do you think the boss will finally marry her?"

"She's so gorgeous, I'm jealous!"

"I bet they're back together. He went to pick her up at the airport last night!"

Hearing them say that was like being stabbed over and over, but I couldn't blame them. The truth is, no one knows about my marriage to Daven except our closest friends and family. He wanted it that way, and I respected his wishes.

I gathered some papers that needed his signature and walked to my husband's office. The door was slightly ajar.

Inside, I could see Daven behind his desk signing documents, and across from him sat the twins, Caleb and James — both partners in the company and Daven's best friends.

I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help overhearing what they were saying.

"Don't lie to us, man. We all saw the news today. You went to get Marizza the second she landed! Tell us" you're still into her, aren't you?

My heart was racing. I needed to hear my husband deny that accusation, but instead, he answered with another question.

"Why? Do you like her?" Daven said, his tone playful. But I didn't miss the fact that he'd dodged the question entirely.

"Of course I like her," Caleb replied with an arrogant grin. "But she's your girl, and I respect that."

His girl... I felt like I was going to be sick, until I heard James's voice.

"Cut the crap, Caleb. Daven is married to Evangeline." He reminded his brother, sounding frustrated, as if he were annoyed by Caleb's speculation about their friend.

I felt a sliver of relief, until—

"Oh, give me a break, James. Daven only married Evangeline because Marizza left him at the altar. Otherwise, he never would've looked at her twice. I mean, have you seen her? She's nothing compared to Marizza."

God, I wanted to cry.

"Besides, you're missing the obvious. Daven went after Marizza the second she came back." I watched Caleb's eyes search Daven's face, looking for confirmation, but Daven still said nothing. "They say the longer you're apart, the stronger the feelings get. I wouldn't be surprised if you already fucked her."

The moment I heard those words, I couldn't take it anymore. I stormed in. I was livid, and I think they noticed, because both brothers backed away from my venomous glare.

I ignored them entirely and went straight to my husband. I couldn't help but notice he was wearing an expensive, impeccable suit — one that was not the same as the night before. My blood boiled.

I slammed the papers on his desk. He looked up, studying me with that stoic expression of his, but I knew him well enough to see the bewilderment behind it.

"Sign them. Now." I ordered, which was ironic considering he was the boss."He said nothing, signed the papers, and handed them back. I took them and walked out."

Not before hearing them say:

"Shit... Do you think she heard what we said?"

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