Chapter 7: The Signs I Refused to See

How did Adrian know when Ella was on her period?

I asked myself, but I couldn't find an answer.

"No, it's not. I'm just having an upset stomach," Ella said softly.

"Mrs Black, please don't get the wrong idea about Boss. He once helped me get my medication during a time like this, so that's why he knows," Ella explained, as though she had somehow heard my thoughts.

"Then you should stay and rest," my mother-in-law suggested.

"It's okay, ma'am. Thank you," Ella replied softly.

"Adrian, what work do you have? Can't it be postponed until tomorrow? Ella needs to rest. Not everyone has to be a workaholic like you," my mother-in-law said.

"Yes, Mum. I was actually thinking of sending her home too," Adrian replied.

"Boss, don't let me trouble you. I'll just order a cab. There's no need to inconvenience yourself," Ella offered.

"It's no trouble. Let's go."

Adrian reached for Ella and gently supported her as they left together.

As they walked away, confusion washed over me. I couldn't help noticing the difference between how Adrian treated me and how he treated a woman who was practically a stranger.

Yet, I was still confused.

He didn't know when I was on my period. He couldn't even tell when something was wrong with me. Somehow, though, he paid attention to every little detail about his secretary.

"Why are you still standing there like a dog that has lost its bone? I'm starving. Serve the meal!" Mrs Black barked.

I turned and headed to the kitchen.

At that moment, I couldn't help wondering whether there was really any difference between me and a maid in this house. All I could do was hope she wouldn't find another reason to complain about the meal.

---

1:00 a.m.

Adrian arrived and sat on the bed. He typed on his phone for a few minutes before getting undressed and heading into the bathroom to shower.

He had no idea I was still awake, lying quietly on the bed.

Ring! Ring!

His phone rang.

I glanced at the caller ID.

It was Ella.

The call ended, and a message popped up on the screen.

Are you home yet, Adrian? If so, good night and sweet dreams.

The message was from Ella.

I stared at it, surprised.

Ella called her boss by his first name and even sent him good-night messages?

I quickly shook the thought away.

There was nothing wrong with sending someone a good-night message. They worked together, after all. Perhaps I was simply reading too much into it.

I rolled over to the other side of the bed, pulled the blanket over myself and closed my eyes.

---

The Next Morning

I woke up and found Adrian's side of the bed empty.

Of course, he had left early for work. We hardly had any time to spend together these days.

"You're still sleeping at this hour? What good are you in this house?"

Mrs Black's voice rang through the room as she stormed inside.

"Good morning, Mrs Black," I greeted her.

"Don't greet me! The morning isn't good. It's terrible!" she snapped. "Tell me, why are you so lazy? You sleep while my son works hard to provide for this family, and despite everything he does, we see no results from you. I only know that pregnant women sleep a lot. I never knew even a hen that can't lay eggs could be this lazy!"

I glanced at the clock.

It was only eight in the morning.

But her shouting was nothing new. By now, it felt more like part of my daily routine.

I had nothing to say, so I decided to leave the room and get the housework done.

Smack!

Mrs Black's hand struck my cheek.

"So now you're walking away from me?" she shouted. "Every day, I'll give you another reason to regret ever being born!"

With that, she stormed out.

I pressed my palm against my cheek, still feeling the sting of the slap.

My own mother had never raised a hand against me before.

Yet here I was, enduring such treatment from the woman who was supposed to be my family.

I sank onto the bed, questioning myself.

Had I made a terrible mistake?

I remembered how my parents had questioned my decision to marry Adrian. They had asked whether I was truly sure about him, but I had been so convinced of my love that I refused to listen.

---

Five Years Ago

Things with Adrian had been moving smoothly. Almost too smoothly for Dad's liking.

"Does he actually love you?" he asked one evening.

"Dad, I've kept my identity secret this whole time, and he still loves me," I replied. "He proposed last month."

Zane nearly choked.

"What? Mira, don't you think that's a little fast? Is this guy playing you?"

"Playing me? Of course not. I've watched him for months. He's a good person, and nothing about him screams player."

"Fine, then maybe he's after your wealth."

"Zane, were you even listening? I never told him who I am."

"You think that matters? You've been helping him out for months. Who do you think called Mr Carter and asked him to do Adrian a favour? A man isn't stupid, Mira. He knows you have connections, even if he doesn't know exactly what they are. I think you're love-blind."

I turned to Dad, hoping he would support me, but he only sighed.

"I think your brother has a point, sweetheart. Men aren't always what they seem."

"But you're good, Dad. Don't you believe good men exist? Adrian is one of them."

"You don't understand," I insisted. "Zane is just being overprotective. I love Adrian, he loves me, and that's what actually matters."

---

Present Day

This wasn't what I had pictured.

I hadn't imagined being treated like a maid, having no one listen to me, or going through life without my husband caring for me or standing by my side.

These were never the things I had planned for.

---

Afternoon

I was scrolling through pictures of babies, imagining what my family would look like when I finally had a child.

Would Mrs Black treat me differently? Would Adrian become a loving father? Would he finally learn to stand up for me? Would she make time for me and the baby?

Those were the questions running through my mind when Chloe's name suddenly flashed across my phone screen.

I picked up immediately.

"Hello, Chloe. How are you?" I asked.

"I'm good, but there's fire on the mountain!" she replied, her voice burning with anger. "Tell me, did you know Adrian is cheating on you?"