Her return

Ashley sat down patiently, waiting eagerly for her test results. She had been feeling nauseous and fatigued lately, and her late period made her even more restless.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, pulling her from her thoughts as the gynecologist appeared before her with a bright smile.

“Mrs. Montclair, I’m happy to announce that you’re expecting,” she said, handing over the results.

Ashley froze, her legs rooted to the ground. On her way to the hospital, the thought had crossed her mind, but she’d tried her best to discard it.

She walked out of the hospital, her hands trembling slightly as she got into the car. As the driver pulled away, she bit her lip, wondering how her husband, Dante Montclair, would react to such news.

He had been acting strange lately, coming home late, leaving her messages on read, and completely ignoring her existence. The thought made her stomach twist. She hoped he would react positively, that maybe this baby would bring them closer.

With that new thought, Ashley inhaled sharply, restraining her mind from running wild.

It was just past six in the evening when Ashley turned off the stove and let out a quiet sigh of relief. The scent of simmering beef filled the kitchen. She wiped the light sweat from her forehead and slipped off her apron, draping it neatly over the counter.

Carrying the serving dishes to the dining table, she arranged them carefully, hoping tonight would be different, hoping Dante would come home early for once so she could break the good news to him.

Lately, he had formed a habit of staying out late, and the unanswered calls from earlier had left her with a knot of worry. Each time she tried, the line had come back with the same cold message: User busy.

The click of the front door opening broke her thoughts. Dante strode in, whistling a cheerful tune that echoed through the quiet apartment.

“You’re back!” Ashley said, genuinely surprised and even more taken aback by the light in his eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time he had come home in such a good mood.

“What’s the occasion? You seem happy,” she remarked, stepping forward to take his jacket from him.

He didn’t answer right away, just slipped off his shoes and loosened his tie.

“I made your favorite tonight,” Ashley said, smiling softly. “Go freshen up so we can have dinner together. It’s been a while, and I have something to tell you.”

“We’re having dinner at my parents’,” he said casually, already turning toward the stairs. “Reese is back from London. She came by the office to surprise me earlier, and we grabbed lunch together.”

The words hit her like a slap. She stood there, jacket still in hand, her smile frozen. Reese. The name that had lived rent-free in her marriage for years. The girl his mother once mentioned with a smile too sweet to be kind, the one who, in her eyes, would have been the perfect match for her son.

By the time Ashley found her voice, Dante was halfway up the stairs.

“You should get ready,” he called over his shoulder.

An hour later, she stood in front of the mirror wearing a cream cashmere sweater and tailored beige trousers. Silver earrings glinted softly beneath her hair, which she had smoothed into a low bun.

Ashley told herself it was just casual, but every detail, from her makeup to her outfit, carried the quiet hope of making the right impression.

Even if it never seemed to be enough.

As they drove in silence, Ashley looked out the window as the gates automatically opened and the car rolled into the Montclair Estate.

Nothing much had changed since her last visit. The lawn was neatly trimmed, the fountain pristine. The car drove down the tree-lined driveway and came to a halt.

Even though they were her in-laws, she had only been here once in the past two years. Mrs. Montclair had made it very clear she didn’t like her around.

Her first visit had been humiliating. She had come with Dante to tell his parents she was pregnant. She could still remember how Mrs. Montclair had coldly rejected her and the baby, suggesting she get an abortion.

Dante had insisted on keeping the baby, and they ended up getting married quietly, away from the public eye, with only his parents in attendance.

They stepped out of the vehicle and walked into the living area. Ashley looked around but couldn’t find anyone at first. The living room was simple yet sophisticated, furnished with nude-colored sofas and armchairs. Artworks lined the walls, continuing into the hallway alongside antique furniture.

As Dante led the way to the dining room, they found Mr. and Mrs. Montclair already seated.

“Mom, Dad,” Dante greeted, and his mother pulled him in for a hug.

“Glad you’re here, son,” she said warmly.

Ashley fiddled with her fingers nervously, feeling like a stranger in their midst.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Montclair,” she greeted in a low tone.

The table fell silent for a moment, and Ashley felt a lump in her throat.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the hallway. They all turned as Reese entered with a bright smile.

“I hope I didn’t arrive late,” she said.

She wore a fitted white blazer over high-waisted trousers, paired with black heels. Her hair was neatly styled in a low bun, and she carried a file in her hand.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Montclair,” she greeted politely.

“Look who we have here! Long time no see, angel,” Mrs. Montclair said with a warm smile, rising to give her a side hug.

“How have you been, Reese?” Mr. Montclair asked.

“I’ve been doing well, sir.”

Reese’s eyes drifted to Dante, and she smiled softly.

“Dante invited me over for dinner, and I couldn’t turn him down.”

“That’s so sweet of you, angel,” Mrs. Montclair said, motioning for her to sit. “You must be starving after a long day. Sit, have something to eat.”

Mrs. Montclair served her a bowl of vegetables and mashed potatoes.

“Thank you so much for your kindness, Mrs. Montclair.”

“Mrs. Montclair? Call me Aunty,” she said with a laugh, leaving Ashley to raise her brows in surprise. As their daughter-in-law, she had never been given such privilege.

Reese’s gaze shifted to the quiet woman beside Dante. There was something delicate about her, an almost timid grace.

“You must be Dante’s wife,” she said with a polite smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Ashley lifted her head slowly, forcing a small smile. “Nice to meet you too,” she murmured.

As dinner went on, Dante and his parents laughed at Reese’s jokes as she shared her experiences in London. Ashley remained silent, her fork moving absently across her plate.

At one point, Reese’s eyes found hers again, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“What university are you attending, Ashley?” she asked.

The question hung in the air for a moment before Ashley replied, “I haven’t started yet,” trying to keep her voice steady.

Mrs. Montclair suddenly sneered. “When her mates were busy working hard to get into top universities, she was busy sleeping around.”

A wash of shame came over Ashley. Mrs. Montclair had every right to scold her, or at least that was how Ashley had been made to feel. After all, she had gotten pregnant with her son’s child at twenty.

Karma caught up with her quickly when she suffered a miscarriage months later. Since then, she hadn’t thought about going back to school.

And now, being pregnant for the second time scared her even more.