Chapter 1

~Rose~

My head slumped drowsily onto the table, but I forced myself to stay awake. Sitting right in front of me were my husband and his girlfriend.

This morning, he had told me he was going to see her. I insisted on coming along, thinking he was only joking, but he wasn’t.

If I had known he was serious, I would’ve just stayed home. Now, all I could do was silently pray their conversation would end quickly so I wouldn’t feel any more humiliated.

I glanced at his girlfriend. She had been with him for over three months now, his longest relationship with any woman. He changes girlfriends like clothes, always showing them love and attention. But never once had he treated me, his legal wife, that way.

I sighed and looked down at the table. Even though I was sitting there, I felt out of place. Knowing my husband was with another woman right before my eyes was heartbreaking. But what could I do? Nothing. I loved him too much to risk upsetting him.

Should I leave and give them some space? The thought crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. He was my husband, I had every right to be here. Still, I couldn’t help feeling foolish, like some desperate girl chasing after love. Damn it, Rose.

Absentmindedly, my hand slipped, and the drink spilled across the table. I panicked instantly.

“Rose, how much clumsier can you get?” my husband barked.

His loud voice startled me, and I jumped to my feet, hurriedly wiping the table with my napkins.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

“She’s already ruined the outing. Let’s just reschedule, James,” his girlfriend said as she stood up.

I could only watch helplessly as she walked away, already knowing I’d be blamed for everything. And just like I expected, my husband’s voice boomed again.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Can’t you do anything right?”

My palms were sweaty, clenched tightly in anxiety. He didn’t even look at how pale I had become, he simply turned and walked away. I leaned against a nearby chair for support, my body weak.

“I... I... I…” My voice trembled as I stared after him. I knew he saw how terrible I looked, but he still scoffed and left.

My breathing grew shallow and quick. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but I was certain something inside me was slipping away. My life... it felt like it was crumbling.

Even at my weakest moment, my husband still treated me no better than his girlfriend. I wanted to scream, to cry, to curse this miserable life, but none of that happened.

Suddenly, a sharp pain twisted in my stomach, and everything went black.

*****

Entertainment News

[Renowned bachelor and playboy, James Walter, is rumored to be vacationing with his new girlfriend, sources say.]

Tears slid down my cheeks.

It hadn’t even been a full day since I regained consciousness in the hospital, and now this. This was what I saw on the TV in my room the next morning.

“Why does James keep doing this to me?” I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t.

No one could possibly understand the storm inside me. I wanted to yell, to tear my hair out, but I had to stay calm, for the baby.

Yes… I’m pregnant.

The doctor had just told me. And for a second, I felt joy. Just a second. But the news on the TV wiped it all away.

I glanced once more at the screen before picking up my phone. I had tried my husband’s number, but he wasn’t answering. So, I called his assistant instead.

“Ma’am?” the assistant answered.

“Where is he?” My voice was flat and heavy. He definitely knew why I was asking, he must’ve seen the news too.

“Ma’am, I—” he started, but I cut him off.

“You better tell me where he is,” I warned coldly. “Unless you want me storming the company, screaming that I’m his wife.”

“A-Ah, no, no!” he stammered in a panic.

His reaction only made me feel worse, but it got the job done. In his nervousness, he spilled everything. I hung up right after.

My phone slipped from my hand as a bitter chuckle escaped my lips. Three whole years of marriage, and guess what? No one knows.

Pushing my sadness aside, I left the hospital, weak and dragging myself to the hotel where I now knew James was staying.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t give out the room number,” the hotel worker said politely.

I had only just arrived and was already being refused entry. Not that I didn’t know the room number, I just wanted to go through the proper channel. But clearly, that wasn’t working.

“Here,” I said, slipping him some dollar notes.

Immediately, his expression changed into one of satisfaction.

“Miss, this way.” I followed the hotel staff, ignoring his overly polite tone.

Inside, I felt a sharp pang of regret over the cash I had just handed him. That money came from the little I had managed to save, don’t ask how, when I’m married to a billionaire. He never gives me a dime.

Now, standing in front of his hotel room, I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing.

Would I see something different behind that door? Could it be, just maybe, that James was alone in there?

I knew better than to hope for too much, but a part of me still clung to the possibility that, just this once, my husband wouldn’t treat me like garbage. That maybe, for once, he wouldn't disappoint me.

I knocked gently. The door didn’t open right away. A few long minutes passed before it finally creaked open.

I held my breath, my body trembling slightly.

Then James appeared.

His eyes widened in surprise but quickly hardened into a glare. “What are you doing here, Rose?”

I forced a shaky smile. “Oh, you're here? I wasn’t sure… Can I come in?” I tried to sound casual, but his angry expression made my nerves spike.

Was I wrong to come? At least now I knew he wasn't in the middle of a romantic getaway. Maybe the rumors were wrong?

Just as I turned to leave, a loud crash came from inside the room.

I froze. Had I imagined that?

James’s expression tensed, his jaw tightening, and that’s all the confirmation I needed.

There was someone else inside.

Pain stabbed through my chest. I had hoped. Stupidly, I had hoped. I felt tears threatening again, but I blinked them away. I’ve cried too much already this month.

“Get out of my way!” I snapped, voice sharp with rage.

I don’t know where the strength came from, but I shoved him aside and stormed in.

My eyes scanned the room wildly. No one.

Then I heard the sound, water running.

My heart pounded in my chest. Someone was in there.

My fists clenched. I was ready to confront whoever dared to hide.

And then the bathroom door swung open.

Standing there, was my friend.