Chapter 3: Aria's is pregnant

Sylvia*

“Who the fuck are you?” Greg groaned, pain twisting his voice as his arm stayed locked midair.

“Please… please let him go,” I begged, my voice cracking.

“You know him?” Greg snapped.

“I told you I was admitted here,” I said quickly. “He brought me here. Please, let him go.”

He released him, and Greg pulled back, hissing as he rubbed his wrist.

“How the hell did you end up knowing a thug like him?”

“Watch your mouth,” he warned calmly. “Unless you want to be admitted too. The name is Dave.”

“Dave or whatever,” Greg scoffed. “What are you doing with my wife—hold on, Sylvia… are you cheating on me with this guy?”

“Cheating on you?” I laughed bitterly. “Oh, I wish I was.”

“What? With a thug?” Greg mocked, eyeing Dave. “Is he your bodyguard or what? All muscular and scary.”

“He’s everything you are not,” I shot back. “He was kind enough to bring me here when your mistress pushed me and my elbow was bleeding—yet you took her to the hospital even when you saw the blood on my elbow.”

“Uh… it’s—” Greg faltered. “But that’s still no excuse to cheat. Come on, Sylvia, you’re a good woman. Don’t let small moments ruin you.”

“No wonder they say good people suffer the most”.

“What?” he barked.

“Please,” I turned to Dave, my voice soft. “Can you take me out of here? I need to ease myself.”

“I told you to rest,” Dave said calmly. “You shouldn’t be stressing yourself, my lady.”

“Your what?” Greg snapped.

No one answered him.“Greg, love,” Arias chimed in sweetly. “Let Sylvia be. She’s obviously trying to make you jealous. They’re probably just acting—who knows, maybe she even paid him.”

“You know I don’t stoop as low as you do, right?” I scoffed.

“What? Sylvia, how dare you!” Arias shrieked.

“Looks like your lover is throwing a tantrum,” Dave said coolly. “If you’ll excuse us.”

“Excuse you? That’s my wife you’re holding!”

“The last time I checked,” Dave replied coldly, “you abandoned her for someone more important. So why do you suddenly care?”

“You think I’ll let you get away with this? Do you know who I am?” Greg threatened.

“Oh please,” I muttered. “Not now.”

“Whoever you think you are,” Dave said, his voice low and deadly, “you can’t survive in my world. Push me again and I’ll burn you down.”

He lifted me effortlessly and walked toward the bathroom. Greg and Arias stood frozen, mouths hanging open. I stuck out my tongue at them before disappearing inside.

“Uh… how do I ease myself?” I whispered.

“How else do you normally do it?” Dave replied.

I glanced at him, embarrassed, and he immediately turned and stood outside.

I was done quickly. He carried me straight back to my room. Across the hall, I caught Greg watching us. Satisfaction curled in my chest.

“Why do you keep carrying me?” I asked softly.

“You look fragile,” he said.

The word hit me somewhere deep. No man had ever called me that. I twisted my gown nervously.

“Are you shy?” he asked.

I nodded, smiling.

“You don’t need to be. Feel free around me.”

“I don’t even know you,” I said honestly. “And… like Greg said, you look like a thug.”

“That’s because of my line of work.”

“What work?” I asked.

“My name is Dave Colombo,” he said calmly. “Only son of Jeffrey Colombo of the—”

“The Colombo Group,” I breathed in awe.

“You know it?”

“Who doesn’t?” I said softly. “I never imagined I’d be this close to a Colombo.”

“Well,” he smiled, “here we are.”

“I’m sorry for how I acted earlier. Forgive Greg too.”

“No, my lady,” he said gently. “Please rest. Don’t worry too much.” Then he paused. “Tell me about yourself.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“There’s nothing special about me.”

“Anything at all.”

“I’m Sylvia Johnson. Daughter of Raymond Johnson. I married Greg after school… and now my marriage is falling apart because his first love returned.”

“Can I help you?” he asked.“Can I help you?” he asked.

“With what?”

“Anything. I can help you escape this marriage.”

“How?”

“Marry me.”

“What?!” I gasped.

“How can nobody like me dream of marrying into the Colombo family?”

“Who said you’re a nobody?” he asked quietly. “You’re important. You don’t even need to love me. Let me help you teach him a lesson. Men like him don’t deserve mercy”

My heart raced. Every word from him sent sparks through me—but I swallowed it all down.

“What about Greg?”

“You’re not thinking of going back to him after everything, are you?” Dave asked sharply. “You know he doesn’t give a damn about you.”

“Not exactly going back,” I said slowly. “I need to file for divorce first… but I want to give him one last chance.”

He sighed. “Alright.” He handed me a black-and-gold card. “Unlimited. Use it if you need anything. Call me when you decide.”

He left.

An hour later, I returned home. I cooked, set the table, and waited.

Greg arrived, anger etched across his face.

“Back already after flirting with that thug?” he sneered.

“I didn’t flirt,” I said. “If anyone did, it was you and Arias. Greg… five years. Five years and you still choose her.”

“Five years,” he shot back, “and you couldn’t give me a child.”

The words shattered me. My fingers trembled as I clutched my gown, tears spilling freely.

“I’m trying,” I sobbed.“Not hard enough,” he said coldly. “I met Arias last month and she’s already two weeks pregnant. Destiny, right?”

The room spun. I collapsed.

“How could you?” I cried.

“I waited five years. I tried.”

“So what about us?”

“I’m marrying Arias.”

I swallowed hard. “I want a divorce.”

“You want what?”

“A divorce.”

“And how will you survive?” he mocked. “An orphan with nothing? Or did that thug give you confidence?”

I stared at him. Yes—laugh. Loving you was my biggest mistake.

“Fine,” he said. “Pack your things. My lawyer will contact you.”

His phone rang. Arias.

“Lock up,” he said. “I’ve got my keys. Arias needs me.” The door slammed.

I clutched my chest and screamed—raw, broken, and alone.