EX-HUSBAND'S REGRET: "Mommy, please forgive Daddy."

"Darling, when are you going to divorce her? Now that I'm here, I can't bear the thought of sharing you with any other woman, talk more of living under the same roof with her."

Alexa halted in her tracks as she caught the sultry and familiar tone of a woman's voice echoing through the walls of her matrimonial bedroom. She remained fazed as she stood outside the door, questioning if she had truly heard what she thought she had. Her skepticism dissipated when the velvety voice of her beloved husband, filled with reassurance and tenderness, followed in response to the other woman.

"Come on, sweetheart, you know Alexa is still pregnant with my child. I've told you before that once she gives birth, I'll divorce her and send her away, I promise."

And in that moment, it dawned on Alexa that she was truly the subject of their conversation. WTF!

She remained momentarily frozen to the spot, her mind spinning with conflicting thoughts as she was struck dumb with disbelief and confusion. She couldn't believe her ears. Had her husband just reassured another woman that he was going to divorce her after she had their baby, despite not being a surrogate but his legally wedded wife? Was this for real? No, it was impossible. Jordan couldn't have said that, could he? Alexa knew Jordan had mentioned something familiar to her before, but she refused to believe this.

Overwhelmed by her emotions and unable to hold back anymore, Alexa finally pushed the door open, only to be confronted with a sight that filled her with horror. She stiffened as her eyes fell upon the awful and painful tableau: her beloved husband, Jordan Salvador, sprawled on their bed with his childhood sweetheart, Luciana Henderson, nestled against him in just lingerie. Alexa's heart thudded against her chest in shock and disbelief.

Tears streamed down Alexa's face as she turned to her heels and ran out of the room as fast as her legs could carry her, not caring about her pregnancy. She had sacrificed everything for this man, and this was the betrayal she received in return. No.

***

Alexa had given up her family's name and inheritance just so she could marry her cold-hearted husband, Jordan Salvador. He was the absolute love of her life, the man whom she had sacrificed her dreams for. It was all worth it. I mean, have you seen Jordan? Before now, Jordan Salvador was literally the kind of husband every wife wished to have as theirs. He was handsome, caring, well-mannered, and kind-hearted, and to crown that, he was also a freaking multi-billionaire. Alexa loved him so much, and Jordan loved her as well; what else could she possibly ask for? Oh, her family's approval.

It wasn’t her fault that her parents had disapproved of their marriage and severed ties with her. Alexa had been taught to follow her heart, and that was precisely what she had done.

But three years later, Alexa found herself lost in a whirlpool of emotions as she remembered the decision she had made. Everything had changed after two years of marriage with Jordan. He was no longer the kind, caring man she had fallen in love with, rather, the cold-hearted and ruthless billionaire everyone had warned her about. Although her feelings for him remained unchanged, the same couldn't be said for Jordan. Jordan was her everything, the one she could transverse a thousand miles for, also enduring all the disdain from his family and the neglect that accompanied it. It was all worth it. So, Alexa had convinced herself.

Alexa could still feel the sting of those icy words as she recalled Jordan's response to her some weeks ago.

"The only reason I haven't divorced you yet, Alexa, is because of my child you're carrying inside of you," Jordan coldly reminded Alexa the other day when she confronted him about his change in behavior towards her.

Alexa hadn't believed him then. Despite Jordan's cruel words to her, she still clung to him, unable to see his faults. Her love for him clouded her judgment, and despite the pain he caused her, she apologized for questioning him. It wasn't the first time he had spoken to her like that, and yet she remained by his side. However, for the first time, Alexa truly felt hurt by the depth of Jordan's foolish and blatant actions.

That very evening, she had just arrived from the hospital after a check-up on herself and the baby. She had been elated to share the news with Jordan that their baby growing inside of her was doing just fine and was very healthy when she walked into her matrimonial home to see Jordan on their matrimonial bed with another woman. The woman Alexa later discovered to be Jordan's childhood sweetheart, Luciana Henderson.

Alexa had been shocked and caught off guard by Jordan's betrayal, but nothing pained and shocked her more than when his gaze accidentally landed on her as she stood speechless by the doorway staring at them with tears welling in her eyes. Instead of withdrawing and apologizing for his mistakes, rather he deliberately ignored her and pulled Luciana closer to himself possessively, even searing her up in a hot kiss, knowing fully well that his wife was watching. Alexa felt her heart being stabbed all over again as she replayed the moment in her head.

As Alexa hurried down the stairs, she unexpectedly collided with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law in the living room. A wave of anxiety washed over her at the sound of her mother-in-law's voice. The wicked witch, Catherine Salvador. Just when she thought her day couldn’t get any worse, she found herself facing this woman too.

"Where are you rushing off to, dear child?" Catherine inquired, interrupting Alexa's racing thoughts. Catherine, a woman in her early sixties with a formidable presence, stood there with a disapproving expression that lacked any warmth.

Alexa halted. With her head lowered, she remained silent, hot and ugly tears rolling down her face and her body trembling as they approached her.

She was acutely aware that neither of them intended to offer her any sympathy, it was merely their usual routine of taunting and belittling her. It seemed like a futile effort to even try to explain things to them. Alexa just wanted to be left alone.

"Are you deaf? Mother asked you a question!" Ivy Salvador snapped at Alexa, standing directly in her line of sight.

In that moment, Alexa felt an intense resentment for them. She hated Jordan's family. They were as cruel and heartless as serpents. Before now, they mistreated her and punished her for no reason, yet her love for Jordan compelled her to endure their cruelty. She believed that a little suffering from her husband's family was a small price to pay for love, even after the huge sacrifice she had already made.

Catherine's lips curled into a smirk as she eyed Alexa, finally comprehending her tear-stained face. "Oh, poor child. I think I understand your problem... My son has finally made the right choice, hasn't he?" she continued in a tone that was both condescending and mocking. "He is home with Luciana, isn't he?"

Alexa's heart tightened painfully, and more tears spilled down her cheeks. The pain she was feeling currently was excruciating.

"Isn’t he?!" Catherine pressed again, noticing Alexa's deliberate ignorance of her question.

Ivy, in a fit of anger, seized Alexa's chin and tilted her face upward to meet their cold stares. "I won't have you keeping my mother quiet, you stupid nobody. You have no right!" Ivy continued icily. "Now, tell us, is Jordan home with Luciana?"

Tears only flowed down Alexa's face as she struggled to form an audible response. Her voice broke as she nodded. "Y- yes." She swallowed bitterly, her face contorting with anguish.

Catherine and Ivy smirked, with Ivy releasing her chin. "Good girl." They praised mockingly.

Afterward, Catherine went closer to Alexa, her tone soft yet laced with venom. "I believe you know who and what my son wants now, Alexa. Don't you think it's time you stop forcing yourself on him and get lost? Hmm? I mean, I think so."

Alexa sniffled, staring at them pathetically with her tear-stained face. "H- He's my husband, Mother-" She stammered amidst sobs.

Catherine's derisive scoff cut off Alexa's words. "Mother?" Catherine laughed sinisterly. "Mother. Oh please, shut it. I can never be a mother to a low-life and no-class housewife like you. I forbid. Never. You see Luciana? She's got it all... I admire that woman a lot. In contrast to you, she's the complete opposite. She's a celebrity singer with a global following. She's kind, resourceful, and respectful. The perfect woman for Jordan, not a gold digger like you!"

Catherine's callous words only served to unleash a torrent of tears from Alexa’s eyes, cascading down her cheeks. Memories flooded back into Alexa's mind, reminding her of how this same malicious woman standing before her had persuaded her three years ago, to abandon her dreams and legal career so she could properly tend to her marriage. Though Alexa had initially refused, persistent persuasions from Jordan finally led her to succumb to their wish. Alexa couldn't believe that they were now weaponizing that same sacrifice against her.

Alexa's thoughts were interrupted.

"And to add insult to injury, Mother..." Ivy added tauntingly. "She's even pregnant with Jordan's biological child."

"Oh yes," Catherine chimed in and nodded in affirmation.

If shock could kill, Alexa would've been dead by now. This revelation struck her like a thunderbolt, leaving her reeling with chaotic thoughts. Luciana was pregnant with her husband's child? The reality was too much to bear. Her face twisted in a mix of pain and disbelief as she stared at them, utterly dumbfounded.

She stammered. "W- what?"