Chapter 3 : Shock of a lifetime

After moving around to check the decor one last time, Bianca rushed back inside, searching for her husband…She went straight to the place he usually retreated to, his home office…The door was locked.

She knocked once then again but there was no answer…After a moment, Bianca stepped back. He was probably resting. Or on a call. She decided not to push it.

Instead, she headed to the bedroom.

She went straight to the dresser to touch up her makeup. Her curls had started to lose their shape, the top of her hair puffed and frizzed slightly, pushed back by sweat from earlier, from all the running around… and from the shock of what Charles had said earlier.

She smoothed it down carefully, forcing herself to breathe.

By the time she was done, it was already time.

Guests were arriving.

Bianca slipped fully into her birthday-girl role as the elevator carried her downstairs. When the doors opened, she glanced around instinctively, looking for Charles.

He wasn’t there.

She didn’t think much of it. He probably went ahead to greet the guests. Maybe he wanted her to walk in alone, to have all the spots  on her.

Charles had always been like that. He had always put her first and everything had always been about Bianca’s happiness.

Even when it came to him…

Bianca was still lost in her thoughts when she saw Rosina descending the stairs.

She stopped breathing for a second.

Rosina looked stunning.

She had changed into a red gown, bold and elegant, the kind that made people turn without realizing why. The dress hugged her perfectly. Her makeup popped. She looked… different. Beautiful in a quiet, effortless way.

For a brief second, Bianca wondered if Rosina might outshine her.

Then she dismissed the thought just as quickly.

Best friends didn’t compete. They wanted the best for each other.

And Bianca knew she looked just as stunning.

She rushed to Rosina’s side and grabbed her hands.

“Wow,” Bianca breathed. “You look beautiful. Stunning.”

Before Rosina could respond, Bianca was already pulling her along.

“Come on,” she said quickly. “We can’t keep the guests waiting.”

They moved together toward the entrance.

Applause broke out as they stepped in. Cheers followed. Bianca smiled automatically, waving as flashes went off around them…

Her eyes searched the room and landed on Charles, who stood at the front smiling…Bianca smiled back, showing all her thirty-two teeth.

Then her gaze shifted to more familiar faces.

Her heart skipped.

Rosina’s parents were there.

Bianca was impressed. They had flown in just for her birthday, people who were more family than guests. The ones who had paid her university tuition when she had nothing.

Bianca leaned closer to Rosina…“Auntie and Uncle are here,” she whispered.

Without hesitation, Bianca walked straight toward them and wrapped them in a tight hug, holding on longer than necessary.

“Thank you,” Rosina’s mother said softly.

Bianca pulled back, confused.

She was the one who owed them everything. And yet… they were thanking her.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Bianca nodded quietly, then turned back and walked toward Rosina’s side.

She sighed happily, still smiling, soaking in the cheers and applause surrounding them.

Then a voice rang out from the crowd.

“Congratulations! Motherhood looks beautiful on you!”

Bianca let out a small chuckle, turning slightly toward Rosina. For a second, it caught her off guard then relief washed over her. So they knew.

Her heart fluttered. Maybe this was all part of the surprise. Maybe they had figured it out before she could say anything.

Around her, the details finally seemed to fit perfectly..

They wanted to prank me first, she thought, smiling to herself.

The MC’s voice rose again, muttering something Bianca didn’t catch.

Then Charles took the microphone.

He looked straight in Bianca’s direction, and her breath hitched. Her palms turned damp at her sides, but she smiled anyway.

“Nothing could have stopped me from making the right decision today,” Charles said proudly. ‘‘Today, we welcome the woman carrying my child. The woman I loved with everything in me.”

The lights shifted.

A spotlight followed him as he stepped forward, walking toward them.

Bianca lifted her hands, already reaching for him, ready to place them in his.

But Charles walked past her.

He stopped beside Rosina.

And took her hand.

The smile on Bianca’s face didn’t disappear right away. It stayed there, frozen as her mind struggled to catch up with what her eyes were seeing.

Charles bent slightly, kissed Rosina’s hand and murmured softly,

“My love.”

People clapped. The hall filled with cheers but only Bianca felt it crashing down on her.

She swayed.

For a moment, everything blurred. Her body trembled, though she didn’t know why.

This had to be a joke. It had to be.

She stepped forward and reached for Charles’s back, her fingers brushing his jacket.

He turned just enough to look at her. His expression was hard….“Don’t embarrass me today,” he muttered. “You can sign the papers after the party.”

Bianca stumbled back….Her hands were still raised, empty as she watched Charles guide Rosina toward the stage.

The cheers continued, as if her world hadn’t just split open.

She tried to move again, panic finally clawing into her chest, but a strong grip caught her arm and pulled her away from view.

Bianca turned, already dizzy, and met her mother-in-law’s furious glare.

“What rubbish are you trying to pull?” the woman snapped.

“Are you trying to ruin my son’s special day? For goodness’ sake, let my son be happy for once.”

Bianca stared at her, confused, shaking.

“I… I… I am we ”

The words shattered before they could form a sentence.

Mrs Camilla lifted her hand sharply. “I’ve had enough of you and your nonsense. Stay away from him.”

She turned and hurried off, joining the happy crowd that didn’t care that Bianca existed.

Bianca looked around.

The man she had loved more than her own life was kissing the belly of her best friend,

The woman she had trusted her whole life.

Her world collapsed.

From the stage, Charles’ voice rang out as he dropped to one knee, asking Rosina to marry him.

Bianca took a slow breath, trying to steady herself.

But the loudest voice she heard wasn’t the cheers.

It was her mother-inlaw shouting,

“Leave her alone. Let her faint. Let her die. All she does is waste my son’s money.”