You’re Pregnant

Camilla's POV

“It's about seven weeks old now, and…”

My OB-GYN sat across from me, the sharp scent of antiseptic filling her office.

I blinked.

“What? What are you…”

My heart kicked hard against my ribs.

“You're pregnant, Mrs. Hale.”

I stilled, a rush of warmth moving through me. I let out a shocked gasp.

“Congratulations.” She flashed me a smile, handing me the papers.

I rubbed my stomach. 

There was life in there, a tiny heart beating. Tears rimmed my eyes.

Is it Christmas today and I forgot? 

Mrs. Gina rose from her seat and enveloped me in a comforting hug. 

“Go share the good news. I'm so happy for you.”

I rushed out of the clinic, my heart almost leaping out of my chest. 

‘Calm down Camilla. Once Alex finds out, he wouldn't want you running like this.’

I slipped into the back seat, smoothening my dress over and over as a distraction.

“Are you okay, ma'am?”

My driver asked after catching my eye in the rearview mirror. A smile stretched across my lips.

“Yes, Oscar, very. Please take me home.”

I had thought something was wrong with me. 

It had been two years. I hadn't conceived, not even once. 

Alex was the most understanding, sweetest husband. I imagined the look on his face when I told him and my cheeks heated. 

The other day, he burned eggs while trying to make me breakfast in bed, and I shed tears when he left because he really didn't have to. This pregnancy felt like a win.

Finally, the car rolled into the Hale Mansion, whose interior I'd picked out myself from scratch. 

Alex couldn't help but let me do whatever I wanted, and that's why I let myself feel guilty about my fertility issues. Today was the best day of my life.

I clutched the pregnancy results to my side, then headed inside.

“Welcome back, Mrs. Hale,” the staff chorused. I wished I could share the news with them, but Alex had to hear it first.

“Thank you.” I took the stairs all the way to our bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, which was unusual.

“Honey?” I rushed in. I couldn't find him immediately, but I could hear murmuring.

“Honey—”

“...told you she was reckless and unreasonable.”

I paused. 

“...still married her, now this. Nothing to show for it.”

Alex was in the bathroom, his call with his mom on loudspeaker.

He let out a breath, a sound I recognized too well. Disappointment.

“She's not following our doctor's advice…I wonder if she even cares…don't know what to do to ease the ache...”

I stood frozen, the rest of his sentence a blur.

“Son!” She yelled.

“You can now see that that woman can't give you the family you want. I've been saying it.”

W-what?

“I'm tired of trying when she isn't being encouraging.” Alex's voice.

I staggered backwards until my back hit the wall, and a hand flew to my chest.

How could he…how could he say that?

“Then leave that barren woman. Still like Jessica?”

That name. My fingers went cold around the pregnancy test papers.

“Life would've been better without fertility issues, but…”

I totally crumpled the paper.

Life would've been better.

Was he blaming me for everything? I thought we were happy? I thought…I thought we were trying?

“You'll fall out of love with her. I'm certain there's not even any left at this point—”

“Mother!” he thundered so hard I shook, but it was too late. He couldn't take it back.

Thoughts of Jessica consumed me. She was laughing at me.

“Say the truth, son.”

Alex let out another breath, his voice low. I strained to hear the rest but only managed to catch the end.

“I'm exhausted…”

“...I should suggest IVF or surrogacy…beg her...”

A violent rushing filled my ears. How long had he thought about this while he gave me morning kisses? 

He had to beg me? I was being difficult? I didn't want a child as much as he did when I cried myself to sleep after every negative test result for years?

“...If she doesn't agree, I'll divorce her…try with Jessica…”

The result fell to the ground in a crumpled ball. He was planning to replace me with her? Her?

On wobbly legs, I crouched and picked up the pregnancy test result.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked down at my stomach. Just maybe…maybe I misheard. Maybe he meant well—

I'm exhausted…

My chest tightened.

If she refuses I'll divorce her…

I pressed my eyes shut.

I had no idea how long I stood there taking deep breaths before I walked back down the hall.

I clicked my heels against the marble as loudly as possible, then pushed the bedroom door open. I threw the test result into my bag.

“Honey?” He hastily ended his call and came out of the bathroom. He was dressed, seemingly headed out for a meeting.

My breath caught when I saw him, like it had been doing every time I'd seen him, even though we're married.

I love him. God, I love him. I can't…

He rushed towards me, picking me up and spinning me around like I was weightless. This time around, it felt like I was in the arms of a stranger. 

“I missed you. Couldn't wait for you to get back.” I didn't even know if I could believe him.

Would he truly consider her? He could actually shatter my heart like that?

“I missed you too. Sorry I kept you waiting.” He put me down, then his head tilted slightly.

“Why are you crying? What's wrong?”

I froze. 

I reached for my face and my cheeks were soaked. I never stopped forcing the tears back, did I? 

My lips thinned as I thought of an easy lie.

“I saw a woman with a child on my way back. I don't know why I got emotional.”

He tried to put his arms around me but I stepped back.

“It's okay, I'm fine.”

He nodded, letting me go. I couldn't tell him the news now.

I needed a shower. I needed to get away from him. I dropped my things on my vanity and walked inside the bathroom.

I took off my dress, stood in front of the mirror and obsessively stared and rubbed my stomach. 

I'm pregnant. 

It's all mine. I'm going to take care of my child. I'm going to be the happiest mom—

“We can try again now. I've cancelled my meeting.” Warm hands wrapped around my waist from behind, wet kisses met my neck, and his voice almost made me lose my mind, but I fought it.

He'd already put an expiration date on me and our marriage.

“I want to get some rest, Alex.”

I watched his brow raise from the mirror as I pushed his hands off me.

“Is something wrong?” I almost wore a bitter smile.

I've never denied him sex before.

Camilla, what have you been doing for two years for love? My mouth itched to ask him about Jessica, but I pushed back.

“No. Just let me rest.” He finally backed off.

“I love you.” His lips met my cheeks again for a second.

“I love you too.” The words tasted salty on my tongue.

After the shower, I walked out, our wedding photographs on the wall the first thing I saw. 

Our lips were locked together in one, and in the other, he smiled at the camera while I stared at him with a loving glint in my eyes.

I looked happy, and I'd always been happy. 

Should I just stay? Pretend none of this ever happened?

I'll divorce her.

No. I shook my head.

I picked up my phone and called my friend who lived overseas. Darlene's excited voice burst through the other end.

“Camilla—”

“Please. I need your help.” I cut in, my voice shaky. After the call ended, I took one last sweep of our bedroom.

After dinner, Alex excused himself, saying he had a late night meeting.

“Okay, please come back soon.” I steadied my voice.

“I will.” He dashed out. Who knew where he was really going?

I shook on my seat for what felt like hours after he left. My ring, now heavy on my finger, slipped off. 

I didn't pick it back up.

The next morning, I rose before the day itself, with a tiny suitcase I'd packed.

The staff caught me at the front door.

“Mrs. Hale?” Their gazes dropped to my suitcase, then flicked nervously towards the stairs. It felt like they knew something I didn't, like they weren't surprised.

“A short trip.” my smile almost cracked my face. 

“I'll be back before you know it. Please let my husband know, since he didn't come home last night.” Bitterness fueled the last bit of the sentence.

Alex didn't come back. 

For the first time in our marriage, he spent the night out with no updates. It couldn't be a coincidence.

“Yes ma'am,” they chorused.

The driver took me to the airport, and within the next couple of hours, I was in the air, leaving my marriage and everything behind. 

My heart was heavy as I rubbed my stomach. Alex had lost us before he even knew about us, and I would make sure he never found out.