Chapter One

Marianna’s POV.

“Congratulations Ms. Lauren. You are pregnant” The doctor said with a smile on her face.

I stared at the test results in disbelief. “Anna Lauren. Two weeks pregnant”

I had been feeling sick for the past few days and decided to come for a check up.

“Am I truly pregnant?” I asked, voice shaking slightly.

It's been three years since I've been married to my husband, three years since we desperately wanted a child and now, I'm pregnant!

“Thank you doctor. Thank you so much” I said breathlessly before standing up, the metallic chair scraping against the ground.

“Make sure to come for prenatals regularly. This stage of your pregnancy is crucial, we need to stabilize your uterus” she said.

I could barely understand her but I nodded with a wide smile. I just can't wait to leave and inform Drey, my husband, about it.

“I'll take my leave now, doctor” I bowed slightly and walked out of the office, clutching the results in my hands like it was my lifeline.

“Pick up, Drey” I prayed earnestly in my mind as the ringing tone of the phone continued.

Drey didn't pick up because he was probably in a meeting. We were going to see each other at home after work.

“Drive back to the bakery” I said to the driver who bowed his head immediately.

“Yes ma'am” he responded.

Back in my office in the bakery, I could only smile widely, daydreaming about the look that would be on Drey’s face when I tell him about the pregnancy.

I caressed my stomach and my smile widened. “I have a baby. Finally, I'm going to be a mother” I whispered.

“This won't do” I stood up, saying loudly. “I should just go home and wait for Drey!”

I picked my phone and texted him. “I have something to tell you once you are home, honey”

A small giggle escaped my lips as I grabbed my bag and walked out of the room.

…

The house was filled with silence, the air hitting me differently today.

Everytime I get back from work, there was no child of mine to welcome me back, but today, there was hope. In nine months, I'll be having a baby.

“You are back early today, ma'am” The cook’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I turned my face to her and my lips curled into a smile. “You can leave early today, Ms. I'll cook dinner”

She looked at me surprised. I also couldn't recall the last time I cooked dinner but today, I will, because it's a special day.

She didn't object and only bowed. “Yes, ma'am”

A few minutes later, I was in the kitchen, cooking my husband's favorite.

Grilled salmon with wild rice and roasted vegetables.

When I was done, I served the meal. I placed some avocados on the side and looked over the table to see what's missing.

“Ah!” I exclaimed. “The wine”

Immediately, I made my way to the wine cellar. I picked a Pinot Noir fruit wine and placed it at the center of the table.

With a smile still plastered on my face, I moved upstairs.

“Now, I should go change and wait for my husband's return”

Meanwhile, in my room, my phone had been ringing and I had been left with two missed calls from my best friend, Vivian.

I returned the call and she picked up immediately. I might as well share the good news with her.

“Hey Vivian.” My voice was loud, laced with cheerfulness.

“Listen, Anna. I would have loved to talk for long but I'm really busy right now” she smacked her tongue.

Vivian works as an assistant make-up artist for a modeling agency. She's always busy and I understand her.

“It's fine. I have something to tell you but we can talk later” I replied quickly.

“Yours can wait, but I don't think mine can” she babbled.

“I think I saw your husband a while ago!” Her voice was panicked. “I sent you some photos!”

“Take a deep breath before you check, Anna!”

What does that mean?

Vivian hung up almost immediately and my phone beeped twice with images. I clicked casually but the sight on my screen made my body stiffen, my blood suddenly running cold.

There were pictures of my husband and a woman leaving a five star restaurant with Drey holding her hand.

Thoughts went through my head but I shook them off immediately.

“It's nothing,” I told myself. They could be business partners, friends or something. No way it's what I'm thinking.

A few moments later, I heard the clicking sound of the door, indicating someone just entered. Drey is back.

The smile on my face before the call with Vivian returned and I walked out of the room, heading downstairs.

“I'm so sick of having to be careful of your wife every time,” a female voice said.

I paused at the stair landing, hiding behind a huge pillar. I watched Drey, who was standing with the woman from the restaurant in front of him.

When I looked closely, I realized the lady was his secretary. The one I introduced to him!

My breath hitched. Drey went to a restaurant with his secretary while holding her hand?

She placed her hand on his chest, caressing it while I blinked in disbelief.

“Just wait a little longer, you'll legally be my wife” Drey kissed her lips. The sight was so shocking and disgusting that I suddenly felt like puking, and his words? They made my legs buckle.

“Right” His secretary smiled widely. “Tomorrow we get rid of her”

“Yes. We took everything from her and now I'm done with her!” Drey smiled, making everything so surreal. “Tomorrow, she dies”

The words resonated in my ears but I couldn't believe them. Every single word and action felt like a prank, like a cruel joke.

“We should have done this sooner. She almost found out we killed her parents” his secretary added.

I stumbled backwards, eyes widening in shock, hands covering my mouth to prevent myself from screaming.

That can't be true. Drey Lauren has always been my husband, my comforter, my safe place. For three years, he was the only thing I could ever call mine. No way…… just no way he could have done that.

My husband can't be cheating on me with his secretary. There's no way he killed my parents, he also can't be planning to kill me. But the truth was right in front of me while I chose to be in denial.