~Chapter 001

It was winter in Los Angeles, the weather was frigid, and snow cascading comfortably down the sky.

Ivy walked through the glass door of a hospital—she was going to see a doctor.

Earlier today, Ivy felt dizzy, staggered and almost fell to the floor. For that, she decided to see a doctor.

She adjusted her mask as she opened the door into the doctor's office.

"Hi, Doctor Collins.." She greeted the man who had a pleasant smile upon seeing her.

"Please have your seat, Mrs Taylor." He muttered, his tone calm and polite.

When she sat down, Dr. Collins began inquiring about her symptoms.

From there, she proceeded to the lab where her blood was drawn for diagnosis.

Ivy sat quietly waiting for her results and prescription.

Whatever was wrong with her should not be more than fatigue, or whatever it was, she couldn't wait to get her medications and go back to her office.

She had so many works back there to do.

As a team leader, her desk was always choked with work.

Ivy was a very diligent workaholic who didn't joke with her job, even though her husband owned the company.

She worked hard like every other employee in the company.

A few minutes later, Doctor Collins called her back to his office, her results were ready.

Her medications must be prescribed already, it shouldn't take much time.

But when she got there, doctor Collins only asked her to sit down, she sat, but instead of handing her the medications to leave, his eyes dug into hers.

"Mrs Taylor, why are you stressing yourself so much in your condition?"

Ivy had her forehead scrunched together.

What did he mean by her condition?

When doctor Collins saw the puzzled look on her face, he realized she might not know about it.

"Mrs Taylor, you're two months pregnant and you must do away with anything that's giving you stress."

Ivy had her mouth open wide along with her eyes.

She couldn't believe her ears.

"Are.. are you serious doctor?" She asked, her breath husky and her chest going up and down.

Ivy had been married for over three years without a single case of miscarriage and now she was pregnant. Just how?

"Yes Mrs Taylor, you're already two months into it, you have to start your antenatal care as soon as possible."

Ivy's hand moved slowly to her stomach, still in disbelief.

There was a life growing inside her stomach now. She thought, her face puzzled.

Doctor Collins nodded, his smile widening.

Strings of joy overwhelmed Ivy's heart.

She was finally carrying Ryder's child.

She caressed her stomach—still flat as though there was nothing in there. But a bundle of joy was growing in there.

Even though she knew she had added a few pounds, she never imagined she was carrying an angel in her stomach.

Her smile brightened.

This was good news for her and her family.

She was sure Ryder would be so happy to hear this.

Although he had been mute and never questioned her for not being pregnant all these years, she knew he was concerned about it.

Ryder loved her so much and for the past three years of their marriage, he had never put anyone above her.

Not even his family.

Not even when his sister came trying to make her feel bad for not having a child, Ryder warned her to never come back to their home again.

He was protective of her and cherished her dearly.

"Thank you so much Doctor, I'll have to leave now to break this great news to my husband."

"Alright Mrs Taylor, make sure to start your antenatal care on time."

"Thank you."

With that, Ivy drifted away.

She hopped into her BMW 7-series and drove off.

She couldn't wait to get home and tell her husband.

She walked through that elegant door of their penthouse, her face glowing and a smile plastered on her lips as she rushed in to meet Ryder.

But when she got in, the house was quiet.

Ryder was usually back by this time and the TV would always be on running and loud as Ryder watched football or played video games. This was his specific time, but today Ryder wasn't at home doing any of that.

Ivy wondered why.

Does he have extra work at the office?

That wasn't possible, as Ryder always takes this time off, to enjoy his 1-hour moment before going back to any work he had.

She checked the time again to be sure, but she was right, this was his leisure period.

What happened? Ivy's shoulder slumped.

Where had her husband gone without informing her? He often tells her if there was a change in his schedule, what was happening?

Ivy decided to wait for when he'd return, she would ask when he started behaving like this.

With her sullen face, she walked into her bathroom for a quick shower. When she was done, she put on her pyjamas and hopped back on the couch to put on their TV.

She was going to watch the news, as a big company, its stock price was always discussed and put on the news by journalists. She doesn't often watch this, but she needed it now to keep herself busy till her husband returned.

Just as Ivy put on the broadcasting station, a recap came up.

In the recap, there was an elegant lady in a very flying hat, her skin flawless, and huge sunglasses plastered on her face. She exuded elegance, beside her was who she couldn't believe it was.

It couldn't be her husband right?

This wasn't Ryder was it? And who was the lady?