I'm Sorry Love.

ALEXIS'S POV

I woke up before the first light of dawn crept into the sky, my lower back was already screaming in protest. 

At seven months pregnant, every time I moved, it felt like I was doing a chore, but I still forced myself out of bed. At this time everyone else was still asleep.

I rubbed my swollen belly gently, feeling the baby kick lightly as I slipped into one of my oversized maternity dresses. The fabric stretched across my body, reminding me of how much I had changed. 

I used to be slim and graceful even for a low-ranking Omega. Now I was plus-sized, heavy, and slow. But it was worth it. I would do anything for Dyson and our family.

“I know, baby,” I murmured softly to my stomach. “Mama’s trying.”

Another kick touched my palm and despite everything, I smiled slightly.

I made my way downstairs to the massive kitchen and started preparing breakfast like I did every morning. 

Eggs, bacon, fresh toast, pancakes, and fruit platters for the entire Lecrae family. My hands moved swiftly, chopping, stirring, and frying even as my ankles felt swollen and my back ached badly.

One of the maids walked in quietly and stared at me with concern. “Mrs. Lecrae, you should sit for a bit. We can handle this.”

I shook my head gently. “It’s okay, Mia. If breakfast isn’t perfect, they’ll complain all morning.”

The girl hesitated before lowering her voice. “You’re carrying the Alpha’s child. You shouldn’t be standing this long.”

I forced a small smile, that title meant nothing in this house. The smell of food soon filled the air. I was already plating the scrambled eggs when I heard their voices.

“Ugh, look at her,” Clarissa’s voice came through the kitchen entrance. She was the eldest of Dyson’s sisters, and by far the cruelest. “Still pretending to be useful even when she looks like a whale.”

Denise laughed, leaning against the marble island. “Pregnancy really ruined her, didn’t it? She used to at least be tolerable to look at. Now she’s just… pathetic.”

Olivia, the youngest, scrunched her nose as she grabbed a piece of bacon straight from the plate. “Mother is right. Dyson deserves a real woman, a strong one not some weak, low-ranked Omega who can’t even keep her figure. How can she ever be Luna like this?”

Clarissa snorted loudly. “Imagine carrying an Alpha’s child and still looking this terrible. Honestly Alexis, have you looked at yourself recently?”

Denise folded her arms. “At this rate she’ll probably crush the baby before delivery.”

The three of them burst into laughter and I slightly tightened my grip around the spoon I was holding. Then slowly, I turned my head and looked at them. “Finished?” I asked calmly.

Clarissa rolled her eyes. “Excuse me?”

“I said are you finished?” I repeated. “Because unlike the three of you, some of us actually have things to do this morning.”

Olivia scoffed loudly. “See her talking back.”

Denise folded her arms tighter. “And what exactly are you doing apart from stuffing your face and getting bigger everyday?”

I looked at her flatly. “Cooking breakfast. Which none of you clearly don’t know how to do.”

Clarissa’s face darkened immediately. “Watch your tone, Omega.”

“And watch yours,” I replied before turning back to the coffee. “Pregnancy is already stressful enough without hearing barking first thing in the morning.”

The kitchen went silent for a minute. Mia quickly lowered her head, trying to hide her smile.

“You insolent little—” Clarissa started angrily.

“Careful, girls,” Helena’s voice joined them as she entered the kitchen in her night robe. Dyson’s mother barely glanced at me. “Don’t stress her too much. We wouldn’t want her to ‘accidentally’ ruin breakfast again.”

Olivia giggled. “Or cry again. She does that a lot lately.”

“She’s too emotional,” Helena replied dryly. “Weak women always are.”

This time I exhaled slowly before looking up at Helena. “Maybe if people weren’t constantly trying to make pregnant women miserable, they’d cry less.”

Helena’s eyes narrowed at me instantly.

Denise laughed mockingly. “Oh, she suddenly found her voice again.”

“I’ve always had one,” I answered quietly. “You people just prefer pretending I don’t.”

Clarissa stepped forward. “You really think being pregnant gives you the right to speak to us this way?

“No,” I said tiredly. “I just woke up too exhausted to pretend your insults are funny today.”

My hands were shaking slightly as I arranged the plates on the tray, but I refused to back down because of their childish jabbing.

Then I heard rapid footsteps sounding on the stairs, and my heart lifted a little.

It was Dyson.

He walked into the kitchen looking handsome as always in his neatly ironed suit, and perfectly styled dark hair. I turned to him with a small, tired smile, hoping and praying he would say something this time, at least just once.

Clarissa immediately spoke up. “Brother, tell your wife to stop stomping around the kitchen like an elephant every morning. Some of us are trying to sleep.”

Denise laughed. “The whole house practically shakes whenever she moves.”

Before Dyson could speak, I looked at them. “Then maybe sleep earlier instead of drinking and gossiping all night.”

Olivia gasped dramatically. “Wow.”

Clarissa glared at me. “Brother, are you hearing her?”

I looked at Dyson quietly. Please say something. Anything at all.

Instead, he frowned, rubbing his temple. “What’s all this noise so early in the morning? My head is pounding, Alexis. Can’t you be quieter?”

My heart took a painful nosedive. “I’m sorry, love. I was just trying to make breakfast.”

“Well, try doing it without turning the kitchen into a marketplace,” Helena added.

Dyson sighed heavily, already grabbing his cup of coffee. “I have an important meeting today. Don’t wait up for me tonight.”

I blinked at him. “Tonight?”

He took a sip of the coffee absentmindedly. “Yeah.”

“But…” My voice softened. “It’s our anniversary.”

For a minute he looked surprised before his expression went back to being poker again. “I know,” he said simply.

That was it? No smile. No kisses. Nothing.

Olivia smirked behind him. “Maybe Alpha Dyson finally got tired of anniversary dramas.”

Clarissa added, “Can you blame him?”

I looked at them coldly this time. “It’s funny how invested you all are in another person’s marriage.”

Denise smirked back. “Maybe because it’s entertaining watching it fall apart.”

Dyson ignored them completely and I swallowed hard. “Will you at least be home for dinner?”

He checked the expensive watch around his wrist. “I said don’t wait up, Alexis. I’ll be busy.”

He didn’t even look at me properly or at least touch my belly gently. Nothing. He simply turned and walked out, leaving me standing there with the tray in my hands and his sisters’ and mother mocking me with their laughter.

“See?” Olivia said smugly. “Even brother is tired of you.”

Clarissa smirked. “Honestly Alexis, if I looked like that, I’d avoid mirrors and men too.”

I lifted the tray and looked directly at her. “Well then, its a good thing nobody asked what you would do.”

Her smile vanished immediately and Helena clicked her tongue in irritation. “Enough. Serve breakfast and stop creating scenes.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away quickly. He loves me, I told myself. He does. In his own way. He married me despite his family’s disapproval, that has to count for something. He’s just under a lot of pressure. Once the baby comes, things between us will be better….they have to be.

The rest of the day dragged on with more chores and more subtle jabs from Helena and the girls. 

By evening, though, the mansion had totally transformed. Staff moved everywhere, setting up flowers, candles, and elegant decorations. My heart fluttered with excitement as I watched them work.

Today was our third wedding anniversary.

Dyson must have planned something special. That’s why he told me not to wait up; he was probably preparing a surprise. A romantic dinner, maybe even a renewal of vows, something to remind me why I left my family behind for him.

I spent extra time in our bedroom getting ready. I chose a pale emerald green maternity dress that flowed beautifully over my bump. 

I tried styling my hair, added a bit of makeup, and stared at my reflection for a long time. My cheeks were fuller and my body rounder, but I still wanted to look beautiful for him. For us.

“You can do this, Alexis,” I whispered to myself. “He chose you.”

When I finally came downstairs, the dining room looked absolutely magical. 

There were beautiful golden lights, fresh roses on the table, and the scent of expensive wine and roasted dishes that filled the air. I sat at the long table, resting my hands on my belly. After everything I had endured in this house, Dyson had finally planned something beautiful for us.

I smiled happily, ignoring the way Helena’s jabbing eyes kept scanning me with disapproval. Clarissa, Denise, and Olivia were already seated, throwing their usual vile words.

“Some people really don’t know when to stop eating,” Denise muttered under her breath, glancing at my plate. “No wonder she’s ballooned up like that.”

Olivia giggled. “At least she tried dressing up tonight. It’s too bad the dress is struggling.”

I finally looked at them with a forced smile. “You three talk about my body more than I do. It’s getting a little concerning.”

Clarissa rolled her eyes. “Trust me, nobody is jealous of you.”

“I didn’t say you were,” I replied calmly. “I’m just wondering why you’re all so obsessed.”

Denise sucked her teeth loudly.

I kept my smile in place. I didn’t want to fight tonight. I just wanted peace with my husband, just one night where I could feel like his wife again. 

The front door finally opened and I immediately straightened my posture, feeling very excited. Dyson was home. But the moment he stepped into the dining room, my smile froze in time.

He wasn’t alone.

Standing beside him was a stunning woman. Tall and elegant, with flawless skin and long dark curly hair that cascaded down her back. She wore a designer maternity dress that hugged her body perfectly, showing off a neat, attractive baby bump. She looked radiant and confident, she looked like everything I was not.

My stomach went six feet under.