CHAPTER 2: SHATTERED VOWS.

~ANNIKA~

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut as Angelo's words hung in the air. My mind reeled in shock, and my heart raced with disbelief.

"End the marriage?" I whispered, my voice trembling. I thought I must have misheard him, that this was some cruel joke.

But Angelo's expression was unyielding, his eyes cold and detached. I felt like I was staring into the eyes of a stranger.

"I've made up my mind to end this marriage," Angelo said, his voice dripping with malice.

My eyes blazed with anger as I sat up straight, shocked. "You're willing to discard our four-year marriage like it means nothing?”

"It means nothing to me," Angelo said, his eyes filled with hate. "I'm done with you, Annika."

I felt a wave of sickness rush over me as I tried to understand what he was saying. Our marriage, our lives together, and our love were all ripped away in an instant.

The marks he left on me during sex remained fresh. I could still feel the heat from the intercourse in my pussy.

I attempted to convince myself that Angelo's words were a reaction to tonight's events, but deep down, I knew better.

"Does Pa James know about this?" I asked, trying to gauge Angelo's seriousness. Tears streamed down my face as I realized the gravity of the situation.

Pa James, Angelo's grandfather, was my only hope when things went awry between us. But Angelo's response left me stunned.

"Lissa has returned," he said, his face icy cold. "Don't bother Pa James; my decision is final."

His words cut through me like a knife, leaving me breathless and unable to think. I could only stare at Angelo, shocked and horrified.

"And remember our agreement," Angelo added, his voice detached. The contract had stipulated that if I failed to produce a son within two years, he had the right to divorce me.

But this was our third year, and I had been granted a one-year reprieve due to Lissa's absence in Paris I guess. Now, her return threatened to destroy everything I had built with Angelo.

It seemed like a lifetime ago that the weight of Angelo's lingering feelings for Lissa had finally lifted. Her departure for Paris had been a relief, allowing Angelo to obey his grandfather's wishes and marry me.

But now, Lissa's return has changed everything.

"My lawyer will send over the divorce documents," Angelo said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Take your time."

Just then, his phone rang, and his expression changed instantly. "I'll be right there," he said, urgency lacing his voice.

The mention of that one name sent me reeling. I bit back a scream, my emotions in turmoil.

Angelo pocketed his phone and stormed out of the mansion, leaving me with a whirlwind of questions.

"Why is she back? What does she want? And why did Angelo look at me like that?" I wondered, feeling like I'd already lost him.

I clutched the pregnancy test results, my hand instinctively cradling my stomach. I'd been searching for the perfect moment to tell Angelo, but now I doubted I ever would.

"Should I tell him?" I thought, my mind racing. Fear of his reaction held me back.

I decided then that I wouldn't tell him. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing. I'd protect our unborn child from the pain Angelo seemed so willing to inflict.

A wave of nausea washed over me as I struggled to comprehend Angelo's words. Our entire life together, the laughter, tears, adventures, and milestones, was being torn apart in an instant.

I reminisced about our shared moments, the giggles, sobs, victories, and setbacks. How could Angelo so callously discard it all?

I whispered, my voice trembling with anguish. Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn't hold them back.

I wept for our marriage, our love, and the life we'd built together. I wept because I couldn't believe it was all ending.

The sound of Angelo's engine fading into the distance left me wondering where he was headed, partially drunk, at such a late hour.