Not Pregnant

“Mrs. Reed, you’re not pregnant. The nausea is probably just an upset stomach, and your delayed period is likely from staying up too late.”

Beatrice Reed stood in the hospital hallway, holding the scan results tightly in her hand. She stared at it for a moment then lowered her gaze, unable to hide the disappointment.

Not pregnant.

Two years ago, she married Cohen Reed on impulse while she was still in college. Their marriage had always been quiet and hidden, more like an agreement than a real relationship. 

They lived together, but slept in separate rooms, barely acting like a couple.

That only changed a few months ago, when Cohen’s grandfather was rushed into the hospital.

After that, everything between them shifted. They started sharing a bed. Acting like husband and wife. Trying to make the marriage real.

And yet… she still wasn’t pregnant.

Beatrice let out a small breath and continued walking down the hallway.

Then she stopped.

Not far ahead stood a man she knew all too well. It’s Cohen. Her husband.

For a second, her chest warmed.

Did he come here for her?

She knew there had always been someone else in his heart,.. someone he had never forgotten but two years had passed. Maybe things were different now.

That steamy night… Cohen was the one who took the first step. He told her they would try to live properly as a married couple.

She almost believed him.

Beatrice was about to call out to him but then she saw the woman walking beside him.

Her heart dropped instantly.

Even with a mask and sunglasses, she recognized her right away.

Before they could notice her, Beatrice quickly turned and slipped into the stairwell.

She ran.

Her footsteps echoed as she rushed down the stairs, her breathing uneven. After going down two floors, she stopped and pulled out her phone.

She hesitated for a long moment before calling him. He answered quickly.

“Beatrice. What is it?”

“…Cohen, where are you?”

“At the office. In a meeting.”

“…Okay.”

She ended the call.

Her chest tightened. Tears filled her eyes as she kept walking down, distracted…. and then she missed a step and fell.

***

Back in the hallway, Cohen frowned at his phone. She hung up on him?

“Mr. Reed.”

“I’m coming.”

He put his phone away, his expression turning cold. When he got home, he’d deal with her.

That night, the Reed house was quiet.

The bedroom was dark when Cohen walked in. He turned on a dim light and went straight to the bathroom.

On the bed, Beatrice lay still with eyes closed. But she wasn’t asleep.

The sound of running water filled the room, and her mind drifted back to everything that had happened earlier. Her chest ached.

Why did that woman have to come back now?

If it had been before everything changed between them, she would have agreed to a divorce without hesitation. Their marriage had always been a contract. He could marry whoever he wanted.

But now…

Now she didn’t want to leave.

Over the past few months, things had changed. The house felt warmer and less empty. They even set up a nursery together, quietly planning for a future that suddenly felt uncertain.

The bed dipped behind her.

Cohen lay down. His hand slid under her nightdress.

Beatrice stiffened immediately.

“Don’t touch me,” she said, pushing him away.

“Don’t you want a baby anymore?” he murmured near her neck.

She bit her lip, thinking about what she saw earlier. “Not today. It’s not like it happens every time anyway. I’m still not pregnant.”

“Are you questioning me?” His voice turned colder.

“So what if I am? Move.” She shoved him again, a hint of irritation in her tone.

His expression darkened. He held her down without much effort.

“It hurts… let go…” Her voice shook and tears slipped down her cheeks.

She didn’t even know what she was crying for anymore. Is it her ankle? Or maybe everything else.

Her life had always been like this. She got lost as a child. When she finally returned home, her father had a new family and only cared about her stepsister. 

And now her marriage had no love. And just when she decided to try, the woman Cohen loved came back.

Cohen suddenly stopped.

He turned on the lights, pulled the blanket aside, and grabbed her ankle.

His face darkened when he saw the swelling.

“What happened?”

“I slipped on the stairs,” she answered.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What would that change?”

“…Was that why you called earlier?”

He let go and went to get the first aid kit. Beatrice sat up quietly while hugging her knees.

Cohen poured some oil into his hands and gently rubbed her ankle. Beatrice  flinched whilelooking at him with teary eyes.

He looked the same as always… cold, composed, distant.

And yet right now, he was being careful and gentle.

“Does it still hurt?” he asked.

“…Yeah.”

She lowered her head because her emotions were a mess. 

He was everything a woman could want—mature, calm, attractive. If he wanted to, anyone would fall for him.

Including her.

“Let me blow on it,” he said quietly.

Before she could react, he leaned down. Warm breath brushed against her skin that her heart started racing.

“That’s enough,” she said quickly, stopping him.

If this continued, she might start believing in him again. Even after seeing him with that woman earlier.

Men were all the same, weren’t they?

He looked up at her flushed face, his gaze lingering. Then he leaned in.

Beatrice turned away and lay down. “I’m sleeping.”

His expression hardened slightly. After everything, she was still pushing him away. 

He put the medicine aside and lay down behind her, pulling her into his arms.

Cohen hadn’t slept well in years. But ever since sharing a bed with her, it had gotten better.

“It’s hot. Let go,” she muttered, struggling slightly.

“Move again and see what happens,” he warned while gripping her waist.

She froze.

But then his phone rang. Cohen let go and reached for it. When he saw the caller, he paused and glanced at her.

Beatrice immediately turned to look.

Their eyes met.

“Do you want a divorce?” she asked directly.