Episode 2

Nadia 

Tears of joy dotted my vision as someone brought a bouquet of flowers to him. 

And suddenly, I became self aware.

What kind of a wife didn’t bring gifts for her husband?

I suddenly realized the heavy decor in the room. Expensive balloons. Flower arrangements. My gut clenched in guilt. All I had was bad news.

I was starting to feel even worse when more flowers got delivered but then the words “Love, T” caught my attention and I frowned in confusion. 

And suddenly, I started to look at the rest of the room.

“Love, T”

“Congrats! T”

Why was T everywhere? And Who the hell was T?

All these gifts were from one person. I was still trying to make sense of it when I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat.

 “Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please.” when everything quietened, he continued, “This is the definition of a miracle.” 

I joined the media to clap in admiration, clearly forgetting about the T issue.

Greg was all smiles, his radiance was alluring.

Even if all I had for now was this miracle in front of me, it was enough.

Emotion overwhelmed me as he twirled in his feet. For five years, I’ve been his only caretaker. His family were nowhere to be found and mine hated him.

But now, look at him.

Tears clouded my vision as I cried softly, covering my mouth with my trembling hand.

We’ve been through so much together, this moment felt so unreal.

“Greg,” I whispered, emotion bubbling in my throat. I didn’t even realize I was moving until I was halfway to him.

I smiled through the tears pouring down my face. “Oh my Goddess, Greg! You’re walking. You’re really walking! We did it!”

I didn’t notice the instant silence or the coldness that seeped into Greg’s eyes.

I ran forward, arms wide to embrace him, filled with nothing but raw, unfiltered joy.

But just before I could reach him, he pushed his arm out and shoved me aside. I stumbled back, hitting the edge of a chair. 

A sharp pained grunt escaped my lips in shock.

I raised my head, only to see disgust and pure anger as he barked. “And what the fuck are you doing here?”

I was at a loss for words, the crowd now taking candid pictures as I managed to stand up in confusion.

It wasn’t until a camera shuttered in my face that I realized what I had done.

“I’m so sorry,” I tried to walk to him but his stance had turned dangerous.

His jaw clenched, “Security!” he bellowed, “Get her out of here.”

Two men in black suits stepped forward and a certain coldness seeped into my spine.

Surely, My husband would never treat me this way. Right?

Even if I had broken the rules he had given.

But Greg growled. “What the hell are you waiting for? I said, get her out. Now!”

My knees felt weak, and my vision became dizzy. “Greg, please…” I whispered, not understanding how he could treat me like this and on camera.

I was his wife for goddess sake.

“I don’t know who you think you are barging in here like this, but I won’t have crazy fans showing up at my moment. Learn your place.”

Crazy… fan?

My eyes widened as I realised what he was doing. Without saying anything more, I followed the guards out of the room. I understood, but it still hurt, the way he had rejected me publicly.

The sun was long gone by the time I got home.

I leaned against the door once I closed it behind me. Greg hadn’t meant it, I told myself. He was, probably just shocked to see me. 

I mean, who wouldn’t be, right?

I exhaled shakily and forced myself to move. It was my fault and I had to apologise. After all he had in five years, instructed me on the do’s and don'ts for when we were in public and I had embarrassed him.

I wore the silk emerald dress he had complemented once. I even curled my hair and used a bit of makeup.Anything to feel more… normal. Anything to make tonight right again.

Even though I still had to tell him about our baby.

By 8 p.m., everything was ready. The table was set. Candles lit.. I kept checking the door every few minutes. Each sound had my heart racing, hoping it was his car.

But by 10 p.m., the food was cold, and my hope had faded.

At 11:03, I checked my phone. No messages. No missed calls. I blinked away the sting in my eyes and pushed back from the table. I didn’t cry. I couldn’t. There was nothing left in me to cry out.

Maybe he needed space. Maybe he was just dealing with the media and didn’t want to talk yet.

I carried the untouched food into the kitchen and slowly packed it away. Just then, my phone buzzed against the counter.

I wiped my hands on a towel and picked it up with hope. Greg!

But it wasn’t.

It was a notification from a news app.

“Trending: Delusional and crazy! A female 

 fan Crashes Greg Newton's Recovery Reveal”

I clicked on the video and it displayed me at the hospital looking so pale, sick and tattered.

The video zoomed in on the moment he shoved me away. 

My hands trembled violently as Another notification popped up.

This time, it was from social media. A video had gone viral.

“Greg Newton makes a surprise appearance at Diamond Gala!”

I clicked it. There was Greg, vibing to music with a drink in hand. I stared at the screen like it was a bad dream I couldn't wake from.

I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat. I don’t remember grabbing my coat, or locking the door. I just remember stopping a cab.

“Diamond Gala,” I said flatly to the driver.