Chapter Two

FLORA’S POV

     The next morning, as soon as I opened the door, there he was—Jayden, standing like an angry statue by the doorway. His face was twisted in fury, his jaw clenched so tight I thought his teeth might crack. Before I could even say a word, he barged into the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

“What was the meaning of that last night?” he barked; his voice sharp enough to cut through steel.

I stared at him like he had just sprouted a second head. Seriously, had he finally lost it? Folding my arms across my chest, I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know, Jay. Why don’t you tell me?”

He threw his hands up in exasperation. “You left the party and locked yourself in here just because you saw me and Melissa in the room?”

I couldn’t help the sarcastic chuckle that escaped my lips. “Oh, you make it sound so simple, Jay. I walked in on you and your ex making out on our matrimonial bed. What did you expect? For me to hand you both a round of applause?”

“If you had let me explain,” he huffed, his voice rising with every word, “instead of running off and locking yourself up all night—always seeking attention! I knew you just wanted to make a scene, wanted everyone to find out about that little mistake between Melissa and me, so I would get scolded.”

I blinked at him, utterly appalled. How did I ever convince myself that I loved this guy? Honestly, the mental gymnastics I must have gone through... He had done nothing but belittle me, made me feel like I was less than nothing, and yet I had put up with it all. But this? This was beyond even my twisted version of normal.

“You’ve officially lost your mind,” I spat, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. “You should be apologizing for what you did!”

Jayden scoffed, rolling his eyes as if I had just suggested something utterly ridiculous. “Apologize? Flora, you should be grateful you’re even a Kensington now.” He shrugged, that arrogant smirk plastered on his face. “I mean, isn’t that what you and your family always wanted? Your mother knew no man would ever be attracted to your fat body, so they trapped me with you. Don’t get greedy. Melissa was the woman I loved—perfect, rich, classy, everything you’re not. You? You’re just some chubby hag I have to tolerate for the rest of my life.”

Tears stung my eyes, the familiar burn of his words piercing my heart. He had thrown these insults at me countless times, but they still hurt, slicing through me like a knife. Why did I let his words get to me? Why couldn’t I find the strength to hurl something back at him, something that would cut just as deep? But I was scared—scared of the consequences, scared of what would happen if I stood up for myself.

“So, please,” Jayden continued, clasping his hands together like he was praying, “don’t cause any more drama. What happened with Melissa was just a mistake.” He waved his hand dismissively, like he was brushing off an insignificant inconvenience. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and you shouldn’t have seen that. I don’t want my mother finding out about this, okay?”

I didn’t respond. I just stared at him, my mind numb from the whirlwind of emotions crashing over me. He took a step closer, placing his hands on my shoulders, trying to look sincere. “Listen, you’re the one with the name, Mrs. Kensington. You’re my wife, and that’s an honor. No matter what happens, you still have that title and that name. Just forget about what you saw—it won’t amount to anything, alright?”

Tears blurred my vision as I stared blankly at him. The weight of his words pressed down on me, suffocating me.

“Now,” he added, his tone suddenly lighter, as if everything was perfectly fine, “be a good wife and help me pick out my clothes. You know I love it when you do that.” He leaned down, kissed my forehead like I was some obedient pet, and then went out of the room, leaving me standing there in stunned silence.

After the door clicked shut, I stood frozen, staring at the empty space where he had been. This was the man I had fallen in love with? The man I had married? I looked down at myself, taking in my curves that Jayden’s family had always made me feel were a crime against humanity.

I had always been a curvy girl, and no one ever let me forget it. Lisette, in particular, loved reminding me with her subtle jabs, making me feel like I was less because of my body. To avoid her constant remarks about how I should "tuck in my stomach," I had taken to wearing clothes that hid my curves, hoping to feel safe, but it didn’t help. Nothing ever did.

My phone buzzed, dragging me out of my pity party. I glanced at the screen—a reminder about my doctor’s appointment. I had confirmed the pregnancy with a home test, but I needed a proper checkup. The thought of telling Jayden about the baby made my stomach churn. Did I even want to tell him?

I sighed, wiping away the lingering tears as I headed out of the room. There were things to get done, and I couldn’t afford to lose myself in the mess that was my marriage.

~*~

I stood in the lobby of Kensington Enterprises, clutching the small brown envelope like it held the secrets of the universe—or at least, the results of my doctor’s appointment. My nerves felt like they were doing the cha-cha, and I couldn’t help but wonder what in the world I was doing here. Did I really think that delivering this news to Jayden would change anything? Maybe some foolish part of me hoped that telling him I was carrying his child would make him see me—really see me, not just as the wife he barely tolerated but as someone who mattered. Then again, another part of me feared that it would only push him further away, like a boat drifting off into a foggy abyss. But I just came here because the hospital was a few blocks from here, and I hardly ever saw him at home.

Taking a deep breath, I forced my wobbly legs to move toward the receptionist’s desk. The woman behind it, a sleek brunette with makeup so perfect it looked like it had been airbrushed on, glanced up from her computer. She gave me a once-over that screamed, "Are you lost, honey?" Her gaze lingered on my less-than-stylish outfit, and I could practically hear the snooty thoughts running through her head.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice oozing with that special kind of condescension reserved for people who think they are better than you.

"I'm here to see Jayden Kensington," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"And who’s asking to see him?" she replied without even bothering to look up again, her fingers tapping away at the keyboard like I was interrupting some critical national security task.

“Mrs. Kensington. I’m his wife,” I said, hoping the title would carry some weight.

The tapping stopped. Her head snapped up like I had just told her Beyoncé was doing a surprise concert in the lobby. She blinked, and then a slow, mocking smile spread across her face like she was in on some inside joke. "His wife? Really?" She gave me another once-over, her disbelief practically tangible. "You must be mistaken, sweetie. Jayden Kensington’s wife? Please."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I could feel the familiar sting of humiliation creeping in, wrapping itself around me like a too-tight sweater. Of course, she didn’t believe me. Why would she? I looked more thrift store chic than billionaire’s wife. And it didn’t help that Jayden hadn’t exactly gone out of his way to announce our marriage to the world—or to anyone, really. After all, our wedding had been more of a well-kept secret than a celebration.

“I am his wife,” I repeated, trying to inject some steel into my voice, though it came out more like aluminum foil.

The receptionist chuckled, a sound so patronizing it made my skin crawl. "Sure, honey. And I'm Rihanna." She shook her head, still amused by her own wit. "Look, if you're here to drop something off, you can leave it with me. But if you’re just here to gawk at Mr. Kensington, I suggest you move along. He’s in a meeting right now.”

My heart sank a little further into the abyss. Even here, in Jayden’s world, I was treated like an outsider—like I didn’t belong. But I couldn’t let her dismiss me so easily, not when I had something so important to say. I squared my shoulders, summoning what little dignity I had left. "I need to see my husband. It’s important."

She rolled her eyes, letting out a dramatic sigh like I was the most exhausting part of her day. "Fine. I’ll call up his office, but don’t be surprised if security comes down to escort you out."

As she reached for the phone, I noticed people in the lobby giving me curious glances. My cheeks burned hotter, and I silently wished the floor would do me a favor and swallow me whole. But I forced myself to stand tall, even though I felt smaller with each passing second.

The receptionist muttered something into the phone, then hung up and smirked at me. "Go ahead. He's in his office, but don't say I didn’t warn you."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, and headed for the elevator. Behind me, I could hear her snickering under her breath, probably already planning to gossip about the "crazy woman" who thought she was married to Jayden Kensington.

The elevator ride to the top floor felt like an eternity, each floor ticking by at a snail’s pace. My heart pounded louder with every passing second, my palms growing sweatier by the moment. What would Jayden say when he saw me? Would he care about the news I was carrying in this envelope? Or would he dismiss it as easily as he dismissed me?

When the elevator doors finally slid open, I stepped out onto the plush carpet of the executive floor. I took a deep breath and made my way toward his office, each step feeling heavier than the last. But just as I was about to reach for the door handle, a familiar, sickeningly sweet voice stopped me in my tracks.