Chapter 1

Raina paced around her room, rehearsing the life-changing news. “You're going to be a father, Kai...No, too cliché.” She scrunched up her face. “I'm three weeks pregnant, Kai... Ugh, too blunt.”She murmured to herself, searching for the perfect words.

A week had passed since Kai returned from his business trip, but he had been avoiding their home. Today, she planned to confront him at his condo, determined to share the surprise that would change everything.

Three years of marriage had somehow turned them into strangers. With a deep breath, Raina grabbed her bag and headed out, only to be stopped in her tracks by her assistant, Jamie, who was waiting in the hallway.

“Good morning, Mrs. Ashborne.” Jamie greeted with a bright smile on her face.

Raina's eyebrows furrowed in surprise. “Jamie, didn't you request a week's leave?” she questioned.

Jamie shrugged, her expression nonchalant. “I just wanted to check in, make sure everything's okay. Where are you headed today?”

Raina hesitated before answering. “I was going to see Kai.”

Jamie's expression suddenly turned cautious. “Ma'am, I wouldn't advise that. You know how Mr. Ashborne gets when his work is interrupted. Why not wait until he's finished? He'll come home when he's ready.”

“But—” She began to protest,

“I understand your concerns, ma'am,” Jamie interrupted gently, “but you don't want to risk upsetting him, especially considering...recent tensions between you two. It's better to wait.” She emphasized.

Raina nodded slowly, letting Jamie's words sink in. She and Kai had been having arguments before his trip. With a small sigh, she abandoned her plan. “You're right, Jamie. I'll wait.”

Two days ticked by with no word from Kai and Raina's patience suddenly snapped. Unable to hold back any longer, she got into her car that evening and drove to Kai's condo with a mix of emotions swirling in her chest.

When she arrived, the condo door was slightly opened while a thin dim light spilled onto the hallway floor. Her heart skipped a beat as she hesitated, her hand reaching for the door handle. She pushed it open, her voice trembling as she called out, “Kai?” The only response she received was the creaking of the door as it swung open.

She stepped inside, her eyes scanning the dimly lit living room. Clothes were scattered all over the floor, his shoes kicked off in a corner, and the couch cushions were disheveled, to add to the scene, the air was thick with an eerie silence.

Her gaze drifted towards the bedroom door, where a faint chuckling sound filtered through. Her brows furrowed as she approached the door, her hand reaching for the handle. Just as she was about to turn it, the door swung open, and Kai swooped out, clad in a gray bathroom robe.

His hair was tousled and his eyes surprised. Quickly, he tossed her a smile, regaining composure. “Hey,” he said, his voice low, but for an instant, his eyes flashed with guilt.

Raina's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What was going on? And who – or what – ever made that chuckling sound.

“Hey,” Kai repeated, bringing her mind back to the present. “What are you doing here?” He asked, his eyes darting across the rest of the space.

Her eyes flickered with disappointment as she frantically tried to explain that she had something important to tell him., but his immediately cut her short. “Whatever it is can wait,” he said dismissively, his tone as sharp as a blade.  

She blinked, stunned by his indifference. “Kai, I’ve barely seen you since you came back. Did I… did I do something wrong?”

“Are you in pain?” he asked abruptly, his expression cold.

“What?” she frowned, caught off guard. “No.”

“Are you dying?”

“No—”

“Then it can wait.” He concluded, his tone curt.

Her face burned with anger and hurt. “You're really going to brush me off like that?” she spat, her voice rising.

He took a  step forward blocking the door. “Go home, Raina.”

Her eyes narrowed, her mind racing with suspicion. “Who's in there?” she demanded, her tone sharp and firm.

“No one.” He said with a lazy and unconvincing smile.

Without thinking, she shoved past him and flung open the door. Her heart sank as she took in the sight before her. Her assistant, Jamie sat on the bed, the sheet clutched to her chest, her expression calm—almost smug.

Raina staggered back, her voice barely above a whisper. “Jamie...W-What’s the meaning of this?” She stuttered, her mind racing with questions.

Jamie opened her mouth to speak, but Raina cut her off, her anger boiling over. “This is the reason you’ve been covering for him, this is why you asked for the week off, isn’t...” She choked, tears crawling down her cheeks. “You're my assistant, Jamie! I trusted you!”

Her face showed no emotion, but the corner of her lips twisted into a small, mocking smile. “You trusted me with your schedule. Not with your husband.”

Tears blurred Raina’s vision as she turned to Kai, her voice trembling. “How long?” She sobbed.

Kai’s face was devoid of remorse. “Does it matter?” he said coldly.

Her fury erupted. “You’re disgusting!” she spat. “Both of you!” she screamed.

Kai stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Raina, let's not make this any more dramatic than it needs to be.” he smirked.

Her gaze snapped to him, her tears forgotten in her rage. “You're enjoying this, aren't you?!”she spat.

He shrugged, his tone annoyingly calm. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.”

Her eyes widened in shock as he strode over to the dresser, pulled out a folder, and tossed it at her feet. “Divorce papers,”  he said coldly. “Sign them, and let's be done with this farce.”

Raina’s knees buckled, her world crumbling as she looked up at him, he was barely anything like the man she fell in love with. Kai...you don’t mean this. Please, we can—”

“We’re done, Raina,” he interrupted. His voice was cold, final. “And for the record, I never really felt anything for you. You were just...convenient.”

Convenient? She thought. The words hit her like a ton of bricks, but Kai wasn’t finished yet.“Pack your things and get out of the house.” He said coldly as his voice dripped with hate.

Raina blinked, her tears morphing to disbelief. “The house?” She barely said, “you mean ourhouse?”

“No, my house,” he snapped, his eyes narrowing, “My name’s on the deed, remember? So technically, it’s mine, and you’re just a guest.”

“I paid for half of that house, Kai! You know that!” Her voice cracked as anger swelled up in her chest.

“And you’re welcome for staying there as long as you did,” he shot back with a sneer. “But your time’s up, pack your bags and leave, or I’ll throw you out myself!”

The words echoed in her mind as the room spun, her world collapsing around her. “No, this can’t be…”