Chapter 4

“Jessica is pregnant.”

The words stung hard as they left Brielle’s lips.

Ella froze mid-sip, the music of the club now long forgotten.

“What?” She asked, leaning in with wide eyes.

Brielle only nodded, not bothering to raise her voice- she didn’t need to. The truth echoed louder.

Jessica had shown up as one of Ethan’s many flings a year ago, but unlike his other flings, he had kept her for longer. She had been in the picture for a year, even though Brielle had never seen her.

Even though Brielle never showed it, it bothered her because, like all playboys, Ethan had a rule.

“Never stay with a woman for more than a week.”

Unlike the others who followed the rule, Jessica had stayed for a whole year!

But she suddenly showed up a week ago, claiming to be carrying Ethan’s child and begging Brielle to let Ethan go so she could have a place in his life.

“She came to you?” Ella’s mouth parted as Brielle narrated, and she nodded slowly.

“That witch has got some nerves!” She shook her head in disbelief.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The club lights flickered above them, casting a soft glow on their calm faces.

“I thought I could wait him out, El,” Brielle whispered. “I thought that maybe one day he’d grow up and leave his playboy lifestyle and see that I was enough for him. I was so foolish, El, and this pregnancy of hers was a wake-up call for me.”

Her eyes dulled as she remembered the bittersweet moments of her life.

On her wedding day, she was the happiest she had ever been. She thought marrying him would change everything, and her love for him would soften him- heal him, maybe.

Instead, she had her heart broken that same day. He came in on their wedding night and handed her a safety pill, shattering every dream of her having a child with him.

“There would be no children. It’s a temporary marriage, after all. It’ll be a waste of time to have a baby.” He said on their wedding night.

“He just doesn’t want a baby with me.” She whispered bitterly.

Ella’s throat tightened. She stood and hugged Brielle and held her for a long moment.

“Anyway, you’ve done the right thing. You have no idea how happy I am to see you taking charge of your life, Bri!”

Ella pulled back, taking Brielle’s cheeks and cracking a slight grin.

“And look around, my friend. A dozen hot men are waiting for a single lady like you! You already look like a goddess, so all you have to do is make your own choice!” She shrieked.

Brielle smiled faintly but shook her head tiredly. “Maybe next time.”

After her call with Ethan, Brielle was emotionally exhausted, and all she needed was a good night's sleep.

****

Across town, on the top floor of the R Group Electronics building, Ethan walked into his office, his lips in a thin line. The usual smirk he always had on his face- a move that always had the ladies squirming at his feet, now gone and replaced with a frown.

If Brielle had planned to irritate him and spoil his mood for the rest of the day, she would have succeeded wildly.

"Why must she make such a big deal of it?" Ethan shook his head with a scoff.

He wasn't bothered by Brielle, for god's sake, and he hated that something was out of his control.

He was still caught up in his thoughts when a knock came in. The woman entered his office, swaying her hips seductively as her heels tapped softly against the polished floor.

“You look exhausted, Ethan.” The woman said in a sweet and caring voice, calling his attention.

“I made it myself, just the way you like it.” Jessica stepped closer, placing a cup of coffee gently on his desk.

“Thank you.” He grabbed the coffee and took a sip. The taste immediately hit the back of his throat, leaving him with a slight frown, but it disappeared immediately with no trace.

“If there is nothing, you may leave. I have a few things to take care of.” Ethan indicated that when he placed the cup down, he never touched it again.

She cleared her throat. “Alright. I’ll leave now. If there’s nothing else you need-”

“Wait -” Ethan stopped her, making her face light up.

"Yes?" Jessica's breath hitched in expectation, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Tell Frederick to come in,” Ethan said, his eyes still on the computer.

Jessica’s smile faltered, and her shoulders sagged in disappointment. “Of course.” She said with a professional nod.

As Jessica walked away, her eyes flickered with something meaningful no one had noticed.