2. Divorced.

Rachel's POV

I grasped Andrew's car keys, my fingers trembling as tears streamed down my face. I had to escape. I couldn't bear the sight of them together.

The air felt thick, suffocating. I could barely breathe.

I stumbled out of the house, keys clutched in my hand. Andrew's car was packed ahead of me; I rushed to it.

I settled in, starting the engine with shaking hands. The wheels screeched as I sped away from the nightmare.

How could he?

How could they?

After everything?

I thought Victoria had been my best friend and the only one I could call family since I lost mine.

Images of Andrew and Victoria haunted me, flashing like a cruel slideshow in my mind. Their passionate moment, the way Amanda held her so delicately, their kiss.

Tears blurred my vision, but I didn't care. I drove faster, desperate to outrun the agony.

The pain is the betrayal.

What is going to happen to us now?

Who was I kidding? There wasn’t going to be an us. Not when Andrew had disrespected me this much.

I know this was the end of our relationship, but what happened to our child?

My baby?

The road blurred together—streets, lights—a colorful haze.

Suddenly, a car overtook me; a jolt shook the car. I swerved, losing control.

"Ahh!"I screamed, trying so hard to get control of the steering wheel, but the car lost control.

Crashing sounds filled the air. Glass shattered. Metal crumpled.

My hands clutched my bump, hoping for nothing to happen to him or her.

The pain I felt in my head, chest, and abdomen was unbearable. My vision was beginning to blur as I cried in pain.

I could hear the sound of people rushing towards me to help, but the pain I felt in my heart was far worse than the one I was feeling.

"Ma'am, don't move!"

A stranger's voice.

I tried to speak, but my voice was barely audible.

"Andrew..." I whispered.

But Andrew wasn't there; he was with Victoria.

And not me.

Only the haunting memories of his betrayal ran through my mind, reminding me of how undeserving I was to find true love and peace.

It was all a lie.

The last thing I remember was being put in an ambulance before everything went dark.

•••

I lay in the hospital bed, my body battered and bruised. The door swung open, and Andrew walked in, followed by Victoria and my mother-in-law, Margaret.

Margaret's voice dripped with malice. "It’s good that you are awake.”

Victoria smirked, hand on Andrew's arm. I felt a surge of anger and hurt.

Andrew's eyes avoided mine. "Rachel, what were you thinking? Do you have any idea how much that car cost?." He spat in annoyance

My heart shattered a million times.

He didn’t even bother about my well-being but his car.

Who is this man?

This isn’t the Andrew I fell in love with.

"Oh, please, honey..." How do you expect the church rat to value your wealth when she has zero ideas about how hard you work to get to where you are?” Victoria mocked.

And my mother-in-law chuckled, “She’s right, son. I can’t believe you wasted all those years with this godforsaken slum.”

My heart ached.

I tried to speak, but my voice trembled. "Andrew—“

Andrew's expression remained impassive. "I think it's best we end this, Rachel. I've brought divorce papers. I can’t continue with this marriage."

Margaret snickered. "Finally, you're free from this... this mess. I’ve tried to make you see how she is only after your money and nothing more."

Andrew nods in agreement. “Yes. At least I see that now.”

Victoria taunted, "You never were good enough for him, Rachel. Andrew has always come crawling back to me when you are always leaching off him... You are of no good use; you can’t satisfy your husband in bed. Talk less of giving him a child."

My jawline hardened, betrayal hitting me hard.

I couldn’t believe this woman was someone I regarded as my best friend.

I sobbed uncontrollably; my heart shattered.

Andrew handed me the papers. "Sign them, Rachel. It's over."

I looked up at him, pain and anger mingling. "You're doing this now? After everything? I love you so much, Andrew; we can work this; I promise I'll do better," I plead desperately.

I couldn’t go back to my family after I had abandoned them for Andrew. I gave up everything—my wealth, status, and family—for him, and this is what I get in return.

Andrew shrugged. "It's been over for a while. This just makes it official."

Margaret sneered. "You're just a failed wife and child; that must be why your parents abandoned you in the orphanage.”

Victoria chimed in, "Poor Rachel, you’re going to end your miserable, miserable life lonely.”

Her words stung.

I glared at them, tears streaming down my face. "Get out! All of you! I don’t fucking need you.”

The trio turned to leave, Andrew dropping the papers on my lap.

As they exited, Margaret tossed back, "Good riddance."

The door closed, leaving me shattered and alone.

How could they be so cruel? Didn't they care about my feelings?

I placed a hand on my bump, hoping that my baby was still there. I was going to raise her/him myself without a father, and Andrew didn’t need to know that.

He had made his choice, and it’s high time I made mine.

The doctor entered, somber-faced. "Rachel, I have some difficult news.” He announced, making my brows furrow in confusion.

What?

"You lost the baby."

My world crumbled. I burst into tears, overcome with grief.

"No! Please no,” I cried shaking my head vigorously as I tried to reach for the doctor’s hand, my tears knowing no bounds.

"I'm really sorry, Rachel,” he apologized, pulling back and walking away, leaving me to my thoughts.

I felt my whole world crumbling.

On the night of my third anniversary, I lost my man and my baby too.

How cruel could fate be?

The pain in my heart grew as I drew my knees to my chest, seeking comfort, which I couldn't get.

How could Andrew do this to me?