Chapter one

Ava's POV

I stared at the two pink stripes on the pregnancy test stick and sank onto the bed. My legs gave out under me, trembling from a mix of shock and disbelief.

“Oh my God… I’m pregnant,” I whispered to myself. Then, louder, with a squeal I couldn’t hold back: “I’m pregnant!”

My hands shook as I held the test to my chest. My mind raced. What would Luca think? We have been trying for a bay for quite some time now. I remember when I first met him in college. He was a shy boy who worked in the coffee shop outside campus.

I had fell in love with him when I first saw him. I asked him out about five times before he finally agreed. My parents didn't initially want me to marry him because of his poor background but I had to beg. I was in love.

But lately in our marriage, Luca had been very busy with work. He is always traveling or working late. But I dare not complain. He said he was doing it so he can be worthy of me.

I decided to call my best friend, Mira. But as I picked up the call, I thought against it. Let me suprise her then tell her so we can plan how to suprise Luca together.

I went into the bathroom and I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I smiled and I rubbed my still flat stomach. “Hey, baby.” I whispered to myself. “Mommy is so excited to meet you.”

I glanced at myself in more time and then entered the shower.

I slipped into a cute skirt and jacket, glancing at myself in the mirror. Joy tinged with anxiety shimmered back at me. I ran a hand over my stomach, imagining the tiny life growing inside me, and felt a thrill of excitement ran through me.

Luca has been distant lately, but this is the beginning of something new for us.

I grabbed my bag and headed out,but not before stopping at the bakery to get a small cake, perfect for the moment. Frosting white and soft, with a pink ribbon of icing looping over the top. It was starting to look cloudy.

“It seems it wants to rain.” I muttered to myself.

As I got to Mira's place, I saw two shoes by the door. I didn't pay much mind to it. I had left the cake in the car. I was about to go get it and perhaps give her some privacy when I heard it.

That voice…. I don't know what made me turn back. Maybe out of curiosity, but I walked towards the voice.

“Luca, you are such a naughty boy. Ava thinks you are on a business trip and you are here in bed with me.” Mira's voice echoed.

“Oh, come on. She is happy playing wife. Besides, I'm doing this for her. Her family hates my ass. They think I'm after her money.” Luca's Voice rang out and something inside of me shattered.

“But, aren't you using her for her money?” I heard Mira say in a teasing voice. And they both laughed.

“But you, Mira, you are sexy, hot, you always make me be on my toes around you. It's exciting, fresh.” Mira giggled. “Unlike Ava. She is like a puppy. If I say jump, she'd ask how high. It's exhausting and boring. She doesn't know how to please a man.”

Hot tears ran down my cheek before I could stop it. As they continued laughing unaware of my presence, something wrapped around my ribs. It felt hard to breathe.

I don't know where the courage came from, but I pushed open the door and I could see both of them freeze.

Mira scrambled for the duvet using it to cover herself while Luca eyes widen in shock.

“Ava, what are you doing here?”

Luca asked and I let out a bitter laugh.

“What am I doing here? I should ask you the same.”

“Is this Japan?” I asked him in a watery voice.

“Ava, it's not what you think it is.” Mira let out.

“We…we….” her voice died down in her throat.

I don't know when the tears started falling again.

“Luca, after everything I've done for you. I loved you so much, I almost went against my family for you. I got you a job in my father's company and I gave you money to start up yours. You got into debt and I paid it all. Is this how I get my than—”

“I didn't ask you for all that.” Luca cut me off. His words felt like a slap across my face. I was taken aback and I opened my mouth but no words came out.

“Luca! Don't say that.” Mira said, slightly hitting his chest.

“Ava has done so much for you. You should be grateful.”

I let out a harsh laughter at the ironic scene in front of me.

God, I felt like an idiot.

Mira then climbed off the bed and walked towards me, wrapping the duvet around her body.

“Ava, I'm so sorry, I..I. Luca seduced me. I didn't mean to.. I promise.” She said pouting.

I didn't know where I got the courage but I slapped her across the face. Hard.

She gasped. “Ava!” Luca's voice shot out.

You deserve each other.

I stormed out of the room and walked out of the house. It has started raining. I heard Mira's voice calling after me. But I got into my car, started the engine and zoomed off.

Tears blurred my vision as I drove away. Away from them. I can't believe my husband would chest on me. And with my best friend. A new wave of hurt washed over me.

Then my phone started ringing. I knew it was probably either of them. I didn't want to pick it. I ignored it but it stared ringing again.

I got angry and I decided to pick it. But just when I leaned over to take my phone from my bag, I heard a truck horn. I didn't see it earlier and by the time I did it was too late.

I slammed my legs on the brakes but the tires slid across the wet road like it was ice. I pressed my foot harder on the brake, but it wasn’t enough. The car spun, tumbling forward, tires screeching in protest.

The cake toppled over, frosting smearing across the passenger seat. My hand instinctively went to my stomach. A surge of panic hit me. I couldn’t let anything happen. Not to me. Not to my baby.

The car collided with the guardrail, metal groaning with pressure until it gave way from the force collision. The glass shattered and my body slammed against the seatbelt. I tried to move, but my legs were pinned under the destroyed engine.

The phone rang again. The sound was distant, I tried to answer it, tried to pick it so I can reach for help, but my body wouldn’t obey. Blood mixed with the rain that had seeped inside, frosting smeared across the car, the cake ruined totally ruined

My mind wandered. Luca. What went wrong in our marriage. How could Mira betray me like this.

I never even got the chance to say anything about the baby.

No one would ever know I was even pregnant.

The ringing of the phone grew distant, my sight blurry, my ears ringing, my eyes heavy. And then there was only black.