Chapter 1: I'm Pregnant

Aria’s POV

“God, please...let the test result be negative,” I whispered, clasping my trembling hands together, silently praying.

I sat in the doctor’s office, the sterile scent of disinfectant filled the air, thick and sharp in my nose. The fluorescent lights above buzzed faintly, casting a harsh white glow over the small examination room. My palms were clammy, my heart beating fast in my chest.

Beside me, Ryan Xavier—my husband—sat stiffly on the edge of his chair, arms crossed.

He hadn’t said a word since we arrived or even given me a glance of reassurance. I didn’t even need to look at him to feel the cold anger radiating from his body.

I caught a quick glance of him. His jaw was clenched so hard that I could see the muscles twitching. There was something in his eyes that scared me more than anything—pure fury.

Does he think I cheated?

I think he really thinks I did, but hell no! That isn’t true.

But…what if I’m really…pregnant?

No, I can’t be, Ryan is infertile, so how could I be pregnant?

But what would he do to me if this turned out to be true?

Throw me out? Hurt me?

No, Ryan wouldn’t…would he?

My hands shook on my lap, I quickly tucked them under my thighs to hide the tremble.

I licked my dry lips and then turned to speak to him to try and break the silence.

“R-ryan…” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He turned his head slowly, his eyes locking with mine, and then I went still.

The way he looked at me was as if I were some kind of filth, like I disgusted him. The weight of his stare made my chest tighten.

“What?” His voice came out low and tight, the kind that carried more danger than shouting. His jaw flexed again—a warning I’d learned to recognize.

“A-actually, the thing is…”

The door creaked open suddenly. I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat.

Ryan’s eyes snapped away from me to the door.

The doctor stepped in, her white coat fluttering behind her slightly. Her expression was too calm, blank, and unreadable, that terrified me more.

She approached slowly, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. My heart was thudding faster with each and every step she took towards us.

She then glanced at me, then at Ryan, her lips parting like she wanted to speak, but nothing came out.

Oh God.

Why is she not saying anything?

I trembled as my fingers dug into the chair.

“Speak!” Ryan snapped at the doctor suddenly, his voice sharp as a blade.

I jerked back, my hands gripping the edge of the chair.

The doctor exhaled and forced a smile. Then her eyes turned directly towards me.

“Congratulations,” she said softly. “You’re pregnant, ma'am.”

My heart dropped.

“What?!” I gasped, eyes wide as the word echoed in the room.

Preg…pregnant?

Wh…what is she saying?

How is this possible?

I staggered a step back, my hands instinctively pressing against my belly. My finger trembled as I rested it on my stomach.

My lips parted, but no words came. My legs buckled slightly as I looked up at the doctor again, hoping she'd say it's a joke, but she said nothing.

Then she turned to Ryan. “You both are going to be parents.”

Ryan’s expression darkened. The look on his face changed from tense silence to absolute rage. His jaw clenched, his eyes burned with fury, and his nostrils flared as he turned his gaze towards me.

I stood rooted to the spot, my lips shaking as sweat trickled down my face.

“Pregnant?” He whispered, his voice low and sharp.

“You’re pregnant?”

His tone made my blood run cold.

My lips parted, but no sound came out. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I stared at him, horrified.

“No…no,” I mumbled, shaking my head.

“This…this isn’t possible.”

I turned sharply to the doctor, grabbing her arms tightly. “Please…please, check again,” I begged, my voice cracking.

“It…it has to be a mistake. There’s no way I could be pregnant.”

The doctor blinked, clearly taken aback by my desperation. “Mrs. Xavier—”

“It’s not possible,” I cried out, clutching her arms tightly.

“Please…do the test again. There might be mistakes.”

The doctor exhaled, gently removing my hand from her arms. “I’m a professional, ma’am,” the doctor muttered softly.

“We triple-check before giving out results to make sure there’s no mistake. And by the way…you’re five weeks pregnant!”

I stumbled back a step.

Five weeks?

My mind spiraled, reaching for logic or clarity.

I’ve never slept with any other man than my husband.

How come I'm five weeks pregnant?

I’ve spent almost all my time with Ryan, sitting next to his bed and caring for him day and night.

Three whole years. I gave three good years of my life nursing him, cleaning him, feeding him… staying by his side through his kidney disease sickness, which caused his infertility.

Even when he recovered, he didn’t thank me or appreciate my efforts. Instead, he became cold and cruel—treating me like a burden rather than the woman who gave up everything for him.

But I stayed loyal and faithful, not once did I look at another man. Even when others whispered sweet words, calling me beautiful, begging me to leave my bedridden husband for them—I turned them all down.

Because I only loved Ryan.

So how?

How could I be pregnant?

“No,” I whispered again, sniffling.

“No… I didn’t—I couldn’t have…”

Ryan shot to his feet.

“Enough!”

His voice boomed through the room, silencing everyone. The doctor took a nervous step back.

I jolted, my body quivering. Then my eyes met with his cold, bloodshot eyes, filled with fury.

He glared at me with such irritation, like I was nothing more than trash.

“I should’ve known,” he hissed. “I should’ve known what kind of woman you were. I shouldn’t have let you into my life.”

My lips quivered. “Ryan, please—”

He didn’t let me finish. Without another word, Ryan stormed out of the doctor’s office, slamming the door so hard that the walls shook.

My legs locked in place, a cold shiver running through me. Tears began to spill down my face, blinding and unstoppable.

My knees buckled, and I sank to the chair, covering my face with shaky hands.

How could he think I could do such a thing?

Is this how much he trusts me?

After sacrificing years of my life for him and even losing my mother while standing by his side?

The thought gutted me. A sharp pang tore through my chest, more painful than anything I’d felt in years.

Then I shot up. I had to stop Ryan and explain things to him.

I bolted from the room, ignoring the doctor’s voice behind me, and raced down the sterile hallway.

“Ryan!” I called, my voice cracking as I ran. But he was already at the elevator, with his back turned.

“Ryan, please!” I cried again, pushing past the startled patients and nurses. “It’s not what you think!”

He didn’t even turn or slow down. By the time I reached the hospital doors, he was already in the parking lot, unlocking his car.

“Ryan!”

I sprinted after him, tears blurring my vision.

As he climbed into the driver’s seat, I ran in front of the car and slammed my palms against the window.

“Please! Listen to me!” I begged, tapping the glass desperately. “I didn’t do anything, I swear! I’ve only ever loved you—please, just listen!”

He didn’t even glance at me, his eyes stayed straight ahead, cold with fury.

And then, without hesitation, he started the car.

“Ryan—please don’t do this!” I screamed, banging the window again.

The car slowly rolled forward, and I had to move back to avoid being hit.

Then, he stepped on the gas and drove off, leaving me standing alone.

As the sound of the car engine faded into the air, I went still on the pavement. My hands slowly dropped from where they’d been pressed to the glass, and my lips quivered.

“No, Ryan can’t leave this way,” I murmured, shaking my head. I need to follow him.”

Wiping my tears with trembling fingers, I flagged down a cab.

“Number 47, Ringwood Estate,” I whispered to the driver, barely able to breathe.

He glanced at me through the mirror, concern flashing in his eyes, but said nothing and began to drive.

By the time I got to my doorstep, I found my suitcase and clothes dumped like trash by the gate.

Ryan was standing at the doorway, hauling another box in his hands.

My blood ran cold.

“Ryan!” I choked rushing forward. “What are you doing?!”

He didn’t answer, instead he turned to go back inside. I ran in front of him, blocking his entrance.

“You can’t do this! This is my home too!”

He gave me a cold, cutting look that made me freeze. He slammed the door behind him, his eyes burning with rage.

“You lost that right the moment you opened your legs for another man, you WHORE!” he spat, giving me a cold glare.

“How could you be pregnant when I’m infertile?!”

His words tore through me sharper than any blade.

How could he call me a whore?

“Ryan, please—listen…”

“Enough!” he snapped back. He pulled out an envelope from his jacket and slammed it on my face.

“I knew something like this would happen,” he said through gritted teeth. “You’ve been acting off lately, and I had my instincts. So I had these prepared.”

I stared at the bold words printed at the top of the documents. DIVORCE AGREEMENT.

My heart sank. “Ryan…” I whispered.

He grabbed a pen from his pocket and shoved it towards me. “Sign it!”

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” I whimpered. “I’ve never cheated, I don’t even know how I’m pregnant. Ryan, I—”

“Save it!” he barked. “You think I’m a fool?”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I shook my head, my heart pounding. “Ryan, please… I love you…”

“Love?” he laughed bitterly. “I can never love a prostitute and disgusting woman like you.”

My stomach twisted painfully, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. The words hit harder than they should’ve—maybe because a part of me still hoped.

Yes, I know, Ryan had never loved me or even tried to, but I kept forcing myself to believe that one day, he’d genuinely love me, but that day never came. Ryan doesn’t seem like someone that’ll budge, maybe it’s God’s will that we should separate this way.

My vision blurred. My hand shook, and slowly, I lowered the pen to the paper and signed.

I didn’t finish wiping the last tear from my cheek when he snatched the papers from my hands, barely looking at them.

“Get…out,” he said coldly.

“Ryan, please—”

“I said GET OUT!”

Before I could speak again, he turned around and slammed the door on my face, the sound echoing through my chest.

I sank to the ground, the tears finally breaking free.

“How could you think I’d ever betray you?”