LOVING IN THE PRESENT

“Since you’re having difficulty conceiving naturally, I’ll recommend IVF,” the doctor said gently. “Discuss it with your partner and let me know your decision.”

“Okay Doctor, I’ll do that. Thank you." Fay forced a smile. Four years of marriage and the result of her not getting pregnant was always the same result— failed. This was the last time she’ll be attempting to get pregnant through IVF, and if this also failed, she is going to give up.

As she left the hospital, her phone started ringing. It rang when she was at the Doctor’s office a while ago but she didn’t answer it before. It was Teddy calling again. She answered the phone immediately.

“Didn’t you see my call before?” Teddy asked. His voice cold as usual.

“I was—“

“Anyways come to Trinity hospital now.” He said and disconnected the call.

Teddy had never called her before in their four years of marriage. He was always cold and acted like he didn't know her at all. Wondering if something had happened to him, she called a cab and went to the hospital?

On the way, Fay was restless. Teddy was in the hospital, could he have had an accident? Is he sick? What could have happened to him?

As the cab got to the hospital, she rushed inside, only to find Teddy seated on the bench, not injured or like someone sick.

He was fine, so why did he call her then?

"Are you okay, Ted?" She asked, looking over his suit, which was clean and nice.

"Yeah," he responded, frowning at her because she was sweating and looked so bad.

"Why did you call me here, then?"

“Celia isn't doing well,” He said, "I need you to take care of her."

Fay froze.

Celia?

Celia Thame—his ex-girlfriend.

What? Fay couldn't believe what she heard looking at him.

She never thought they were still in touch!

Teddy said nonchalantly, "She's pregnant, and I'm not sure the caretaker will do a good job. I want you to become her caretaker."

The words slammed into her chest.

Pregnant.

With his child.

Pregnant? Like she was going to have his child?

Was this a joke?

Shocked. Anger and pain... Fay felt a lot of different things at once, and they all hit her hard. This is what she gets after giving up her family and friends and spending four years on this marriage? It was crazy!

"Teddy, I…I'm your legal wife!" She choked because she couldn't believe he said. "How could you do this? How could you do this to me?"

The fact that he even told her about her pregnancy was even more shocking. So like what, he expected her to jubilate? Hug him for getting his ex-girlfriend pregnant?

"That's enough! Remember how we got married without love?” His voice was really icy.

Fay would always remember. Four years ago, she married him after saving his grandma. What he never knew was that she had loved him long before that—quietly, foolishly.

"But——“

"Take care of Celia," he replied, looking at his watch and getting anxious. "I'll give you anything you want."

Her heart shattered.

Four years collapsed into dust in that moment.

It felt like a punch to her chest, breaking up four years' worth of memories.

Fay had always been cautious around him, shielding his feelings and swallowing her own hurt. Even when his mother treated her with open disdain, she never complained. No matter how she was treated in this marriage, she endured it all for his sake. But now, she could endure no more. At last, she understood the truth—she was nothing more than a substitute for his one true love, squandering her life in a marriage devoid of love

She made up her mind right then and there.

She said in a strong voice, "Let's get a divorce."

"You couldn’t conceive this four years of marriage. Shouldn’t you even be happy that someone else is carrying the child you couldn’t? Okay, tell me how much you want?” Teddy remarked coldly, "The doctor said Celia needs to be taken care of. And only you can take care of her. It’s only you I can trust. I don’t want any harm to befall the future heir of the Ward family.”

Couldn’t conceive? Really Teddy? Did he forget how she tried this four years to get pregnant for him? The endless hospital visit, the endless treatment? She even wanted to attempt IVF just to give him a child and all he could do was get someone else pregnant. Not just any other lady, but his ex-girlfriend!

"I don't want money," she said with a sad smile.

"You can have the Swamp Villa, and I'll give you $70 million. Don’t be greedy now.”

"No, I said NO! I don't need it," she stated firmly. “I Just want a divorce..."

Teddy’s face got darker when he saw how determined she was. "Faye, I hope you don't regret this!"

"I won't."

Teddy contacted his secretary right away. Soon, two divorce papers were sent. "Go help Celia out now. This is your last chance," he remarked, holding the papers, telling her to reconsider.

"No need." She quickly signed the divorce papers and gave them to him. After that, she left without looking back.

Teddy was annoyed as he observed her. He could tell that she had changed. The Faye he knew and married for four years would never have done this? Even when his mother and people accused her of only marrying him for his money, she still stayed, still loved him and unable to let go of him.

Could it be she was only playing hard to get? He was sure by the next day, she would agree to take care of Celia and come back to her senses. But why did she sign the divorce papers then? Teddy felt confused about this but brushed it off, the Fay he knew will definitely come back.

Fay went back home and packed her bags. She left the things Teddy bought her and only took her own things.

Standing alone outside, she called a number she hadn't called in four years. “Francis, I...I want to come back home," she said through tears.

"Don't cry. Where are you? I'll be there soon!"

Twenty minutes later. Dozens of helicopters roared over Fay’s head as they slowly came down. On this heartbreaking day, they were coming to help her...

The doors of the helicopters opened open, and a group of bodyguards in suits walked up to her, bowing low. "Miss Roy."

"Hello" Fay said. Her eyes moved beyond the guards, who instantly made room for a handsome man.

"Fay!" The man ran to her.

"Francis!" She wailed and jumped into his arms. Her older brother, Francis Roy, hugged her tightly. His soothing words made her feel a little better. "Don't worry, Fay. I'll take you home.”

At the Roy House. Finally, the helicopters landed on a huge lawn. A big mansion was not far away, and it was surrounded by beautiful plants and trees.

Marc Roy, was really excited for his daughter to arrive back to Blu city after four years of not seeing her and her being away married to Teddy.

"Hey, Dad and Mom, I'm here!" Fay shouted as she ran over and threw herself into her parents' arms, "And I'm divorced now..."

Mae Roy, Fay’s mom, leaned out and gently patted her daughter's thin shoulder to soothe her. "Don't worry, sweetheart. We are here for you. Your three brothers will take care of you. Nobody's going to bother you anymore."

Fay hugged her mom tighter and said, "Mom, it's so good to have you here."

"Did you break up with him because he messed up, Fay?" Mae asked with a dubious squint.

“Sorry, my bad. I was so stupid to try to love someone who didn't love me back. Trust me, Mom, I won't make that mistake again," Fay stated with confidence.

"That's great,” Mae smiled and said, "My strong daughter is back."

Marc waved his hand with excitement. "Let's give a billion dollars to the orphanage's charity project in Fay’s name so that jerk knows what my daughter can do."

Francis smiled. "Of course."

The phone rang that moment. Her brother Hugo called her. "Welcome back sister. I have a present for you after your divorce. Look at T*****r," he remarked on the phone.

Fay opened T*****r and saw that Hugo had broken  his partnership with Ward Group. It was a hot topic. People started to wonder whether something was wrong with Ward Group when they saw what Hugo did. Because of this, the Ward company's stock prices fell sharply.

Teddy must be going crazy trying to deal with this, right now.

"Good job!" Fay felt a rush of joy. She went back to the living room with her family after looking it up.

A girl in a blue outfit rushed in. "Congratulations on your divorce, Fay!" Roxy Lowe said with a lot of excitement, "I've missed you so much, honey,"

Fay and Roxy were best friends and told each other everything.

"I miss you too." Fay hugged her tightly.

"Get ready now. We're going to the club to celebrate.” Roxy said and lightly patted her shoulder.

"Of course. Yeah.” Fay smiled and went to the closet to choose a dress and get ready.

She was the daughter of the most wealthiest and powerful Roy family whose one call could end a country, yet she fell for someone not even close to the top ten wealthiest families, and even had to put on a disguise just to be with him.

But Teddy joked with her feelings for him, never knew the big sacrifice she had to make just to become his wife. Well, it was his loss now.

~~~~

At the club. Everyone looked at Fay as she stepped in wearing a bright beige open-back dress.

Roxy smiled as she held Fay’s arm. "Look at you, getting people's attention. Don't worry about that scumbag Teddy Ward, okay? Men are waiting in line for you.”

Fay smiled back, no longer bothered by the fact that Teddy’s name was still mentioned.

"Want to meet some hot guys?" Roxy asked, Fay shook her head.

"No, not into guys anymore. Just wanna focus on my job and life now.” Fay said.

Roxy opened a bottle of wine and filled two glasses for them. She clinked her glass with Fay’s and raised it. "Staying away from guys is the proper thing to do. Congratulations on your divorce! Cheers!"

At the same time, Teddy was sitting at a booth on the left side of the club, swirling his wine and looking unhappy. He had come to this club with his close friends.

Hugo Roy had stopped working with Ward Group completely, which was a huge blow to the company.

Cody Holt, his friend, knew he was thinking about hid divorce to Fay, what was bothering him. "Hey mate, at least you don't have to deal with that clingy ex-wife anymore," Cody said.

No more pain! Teddy looked at him but didn't say anything.

Ezra Gil was sitting next to Cody. As he wanted to say something,  he saw a woman he knew and blurted, "Ted, am I seeing things? Isn’t that your wife there? Sorry, your ex-wife Fay?”