Chapter 4: Alone

“It’s all crocodile tears!” Cara shouts as they walk into the room, sneering at me and my family with disdainful looks.

“Leave! All of you leave our property!” Aunt Linda commands, gesturing to the door.

“We don’t want anything to do with people like you! I’m sure they knew their daughter had been shamelessly sleeping with a common gardener!”

“We didn’t know!” my father snaps, shaking his head.

“We never knew she could stoop so low!” Mother adds, glaring at me. “She is no longer a part of our family! We also want nothing to do with her!”

Aunt Linda’s lips curl into a satisfied smirk. “Very well then,” she strides to me and grabs me by the arm. “You’re not spending another second on this property!”

I don’t even bother to protest as they drag me away. Marcus and my family watch as they throw me out of the house like a piece of garbage.

“Don’t worry about your clothes, or even credit cards. It’s all Marcus’s money, and we won’t let you leave with anything he paid for!” Aunt Linda says, gesturing to the guards. “You should be thankful we let you wear the ones on you!”

She spits in my face, her saliva sliding down my cheek.

“Now, off you go with that bastard!”

In tears and with a broken heart, I run… run as far as I can, like I’m escaping from a nightmare.

I come to a stop when my legs give out, shaking with so much anger and pain.

“I’m so sorry, my baby,” I cry, caressing my belly. “This world is a very cruel place, and I promise to protect you from it!” I swallow hard, pressing my belly gently. “From now onwards, I will be your mother and your father. I will never let those who have discarded us come close to you.”

But how am I going to raise my baby all alone, with no one to turn to, with no money and no support?

“Ashley!” I gasp, suddenly remembering the one person who can help me. The one person who has ever loved me selflessly.

I glance around me. I had run and walked such a long way, I’m already in the middle of town. I don’t know where she lives, but her company is very close by.

*****

My eyes widen when I see her. Ashley looks effortlessly gorgeous, dressed in designer wear and sparkling accessories. Why am I surprised? She owns this company. Maybe it’s because I used to be a part of this dream.

“What are you doing here?” she demands, her face hard and cold. She isn’t happy to see me at all.

“A-Ashley… I… I know I shouldn’t be here.” I clutch myself as fresh tears sting my eyes. “B-but… I need your help, please.”

She doesn’t react. She just stares at me, waiting for me to explain. The old Ashley I knew would have held my hands, assured me things would be fine before I even revealed what was troubling me.

Through soft sobs, I tell her everything that happened: the accusations, my family’s betrayal, the divorce, and how I was kicked out. And throughout, she doesn’t show any concern. Of course she doesn’t. Why would I expect her to care after everything that happened between us?

“So what exactly do you want me to do?” Her voice is sharp, angry.

“I… I know I don’t deserve your help… but could you let me stay at your place until I find my feet again?”

She looks me dead in the eye, her expression cold. “No, Isla. I cannot let you stay in my place.” Her jaw clenches, anger rising in her eyes. “How could you even come here after everything you did to me? After ruining our friendship for that man?”

My chest tightens, a pang of pain filling me as I recall everything. Ashley and I had been best friends since childhood. We both were gifted at designing gems and jewelry. We had a dream of owning a jewelry company together.

We did everything together, supported each other, more than best friends; we were sisters. We studied Fine Arts and Gemology together. We were the best in our class, on the road to achieving our dreams… until Marcus came into my life.

“I warned you, Isla!” she snaps hotly. “I told you not to marry that man! You gave up our dreams and goals for a cold, cruel man! A man who is well known for his hatred and disdain towards women!”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, tears running down my face.

She scoffs. “Oh, you’re sorry now.”

“Ashley… please… help me!” I plead.

“I will not. You are on your own, and I don’t want to get involved in your life, Isla. You made it clear you wanted nothing to do with me! You broke our friendship because I tried to help you see what your family and that cruel man were doing to you. And now that they’ve abandoned you, you come crawling back?” She shakes her head in disgust. “You better leave before I call security.”

Ashley gives me one last look. “Don’t ever come close to me again. I don’t want your face reminding me of the past.”

Before I can say anything, she walks away.

I did this to myself. I ruined my own life. If only I hadn’t sacrificed my dreams for Marcus and my family… I wouldn’t have lost her. I would’ve had a name of my own, my own identity, just like her.

*****

I’ve been walking around for hours, sitting in alleys and on broken benches, trying to find somewhere to sleep. It doesn’t matter where: even an abandoned car, a half-built site, or a dark corner, but it’s hopeless. It’s already getting late, and I’m extremely hungry. I haven’t eaten since morning, and all I can think about is what my baby must be going through with his mother in this state.

At this point, I’d do anything to save my baby from suffering. My baby is innocent. He or she shouldn’t suffer the cruelty this world has thrown at us.

My stomach growls, my head aches, my vision blurs. I’m dizzy, afraid I may pass out if I don’t find something to eat.

I press my hand against my belly, whispering through my tears, “Hold on, my love… hold on for me. I’ll find a way.”