Chapter 4

“I knew Raya was a witch, but Edward?” Vera groaned, shaking her head as we settled onto her couch. “I’m totally disappointed.”

I sighed deeply, running my fingers through my tangled hair. The exhaustion in my body felt like it had seeped into my bones. I rested my head against the armrest, staring blankly at the ceiling. “I gave them the satisfaction of hurting me before, but not anymore,” I said, trying to sound strong. But my body betrayed me—I felt hollow, drained.

Vera’s expression softened with sympathy. “I’m glad you divorced him.”

I let out a bitter chuckle. “Me too. But why does it still feel like I lost?”

Vera shifted closer and took my hand in hers. “Because you invested everything into that marriage, Juliet. You loved him. You trusted him. And they broke you in the worst way possible.” Her voice was gentle, yet firm. “But you’re not lost. You’re free.”

I nodded slowly, but the tight knot in my stomach wouldn’t ease. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Edward’s cold expression in the courtroom, his clenched fists, his sneer. And Raya—always Raya—standing there, victorious, smug. And my mother... the sting of her slap still burned my skin, as if she had branded me with her hatred.

The pain of their betrayal clung to me like a second skin.

Vera got up and walked to the kitchen, returning with a bottle of water. “Here,” she said, handing it to me. “You look like you haven’t eaten all day.”

I hadn’t. But the thought of food made my stomach churn.

“I just need to rest,” I murmured, closing my eyes.

Vera frowned but didn’t push. “Alright. You can stay here as long as you want.”

The silence between us stretched, heavy with unspoken words. I could tell she wanted me to talk more, to let it all out, but I wasn’t ready. Not yet.

Then, out of nowhere, nausea crept up my throat. A sickening wave rolled over me, making my head spin. I bolted upright.

Vera’s eyes widened. “Juliet?”

“I—” My stomach twisted painfully, and I scrambled to my feet, rushing to the bathroom. The second I reached the toilet, I heaved, emptying what little was in my stomach. My knees hit the cold tiles, and I clung to the toilet bowl as another wave of nausea wracked my body.

Vera was beside me in seconds, holding my hair back. “Hey, hey. It’s okay,” she murmured, rubbing my back.

When I finally stopped, I slumped against the wall, breathless and shaky.

“Are you sick?” Vera asked, concern etched on her face.

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “I don’t know… maybe it’s just everything catching up with me.”

Vera didn’t look convinced. “Juliet, you’re pale as hell.” She placed a hand on my forehead. “You don’t feel hot, but this isn’t normal.”

“I’ll be fine,” I muttered.

But then another thought crept into my mind. One that made my blood run cold.

Two weeks.

It had been two weeks since the last time Edward touched me. And that was before I found out about him and Raya. Before everything fell apart.

I shook my head, willing the idea away. No. No, it couldn’t be.

Vera’s gaze sharpened. “You’re thinking something,” she said, reading me like an open book.

I hesitated, my fingers curling into my lap. “I—” I couldn’t say it. If I said it out loud, it would become real.

Vera stood abruptly. “That’s it. We’re going to the hospital.”

“Vera, no—”

She shot me a look. “Either you walk there yourself, or I’ll carry you. Your choice.”

I groaned, rubbing my face. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re my best friend. Let’s go.”

——

The hospital smelled of antiseptic and something oddly metallic. My hands were ice-cold as I sat on the examination table, staring at the tiled floor. Vera sat beside me, her knee bouncing anxiously.

The doctor, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, entered the room holding my test results. She smiled gently, but her words sent my world crumbling.

“Congratulations, Miss Juliet. You’re two weeks pregnant.”

The room spun. My breath hitched as I blinked at her, certain I had misheard. “What?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

The doctor softened her tone, misinterpreting my shock for excitement. “You’re in the early stages, but everything looks healthy. I’d recommend prenatal vitamins and—”

“I don’t want this,” I cut in, my voice strangled.

Vera’s head snapped toward me. “Juliet—”

I slid off the examination table, panic clawing at my chest. “I can’t have this baby.” My heart pounded violently. “I don’t want anything that ties me to Edward. I just want to be free.”

Vera stood up, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. “Breathe,” she said softly. “Juliet, just breathe.”

Tears burned my eyes. “I can’t do this. I can’t—”

She pulled me into a tight hug. “I know you’re scared. I know this isn’t what you wanted.” Her voice was steady, grounding me. “But you’re not alone. You have me.”

I clung to her, my body shaking.

After a long moment, she pulled back and held my face in her hands. “Listen to me,” she said. “You don’t have to decide anything right now. But you’re stronger than you think, and you have options.”

I swallowed hard, my throat aching.

Vera sighed. “I was going to tell you this later, but… I’m relocating to London.”

I blinked at her, still dazed. “What?”

“I got a job offer,” she said. “It’s a fresh start. And I want you to come with me.”

I stared at her. “Vera…”

She held my hands. “You said you wanted to get away from Edward. From your mother. From everything.” Her grip tightened. “This is your chance.”

My mind raced. London. A new city. A new life.

Could I do it? Could I really walk away from everything and start over?

I thought of Edward’s cruel words at the courthouse. You’ll regret this. No man will ever want you. I thought of my mother, her disgusted glare, her unwavering favoritism toward Raya.

I thought of my unborn child, innocent, unaware of the chaos surrounding its existence.

And then I realized something, I had nothing left to lose, I took a shaky breath and looked Vera in the eye.

“I’ll go with you.”