Chapter 4

Lorenzo chose to help Aubery. And, all of my hopes were shattered in that moment. I could see that I was nothing to him. Perhaps, never was.

“How could you be so cruel, Hazel? I didn’t know you would go to these lengths and lie about being pregnant just to gain sympathy, only because you can’t bear to see Aubery here? When are you ever going to stop hurting me with these schemes of yours? Try something else.”

Lorenzo carefully held Aubrey to his side and was visibly worried for her.

“All you alright, no, let me get you to the hospital. We need to get you checked.”

My heart shattered into a million pieces.

After all these years, he still believed that I drugged him to sleep with me. No matter how many times I tried to reason, Lorenzo would never listen.

“Do you think I am lying about my pregnancy?”

“I think I am going to faint.” Aubrey tried to get his attention back.

Lorenzo effortlessly picked Aubrey up in his arms and glared at me before shooting for the door. He was worried for her like a crazy man.

I winced in pain, but when I saw blood, I got scared.

It was my last chance at being a mother. I gathered every bit of my courage and ordered a taxi. I slowly dragged myself outside and gestured for the taxi driver to help me get in.

I knew no servants here would help me. So, I didn’t call anyone to help me.

That driver even helped me by calling the emergency staff to help me out of his car. I was losing my conscious now. But a man and woman in hospital uniform got me on the stretcher.

“Please doctor…please tell me my baby is alright. I have nothing else to live for…please.” I remember sobbing on the hospital bed. I felt too weak to move. My whole energy was drained.

I was already weak by sneezing whole day, but I still prepared dinner for my husband.

And, now like a fool I was paying the price for not being careful, for not keeping myself first and now my baby was to pray the price.

“Do you want this child or not? Your fetus is saved for now, but how many times have I asked you to come with your family? You can’t do this alone. You need proper care.” The doctor scolded me.

I closed my eyes and took a breath of relief. Hot tears smeared down my cheeks. I was still in so much pain, but what left my mouth was. “Thank you, doctor. I will take care of myself from now on.”

I realized I needed clear boundaries now. Shifting to another apartment to stay calm and away from this everyday stress passed my mind.

I should only worry about my child at the moment. I didn’t deserve to see hate in Lorenzo’s eyes when I should be enjoying these moments instead.

It seems like my child is my only family now. The only person who loved me the most, my mother, passed away years ago.

My husband’s grandmother and mother treat me well; I am grateful for what they have done for me, but they aren’t my family members who can share my pain.

Lorenzo had already chosen the woman he wanted to live with. He doesn’t trust me, and it can put our child’s safety at risk. I shouldn’t care for him now. I have to be strong for my baby.

Shifting to our farmhouse passed my mind as an option. The open field air could elevate my mood.

I could live separately for a while. Perhaps, I needed to walk away from Lorenzo to clear my mind. It was now necessary for my health and child’s safety.

And, somebody have to think about it because Lorenzo wasn’t.

What would happen to this marriage was something I could worry about after some time. That too, I guess I won’t have to. After Aubrey’s arrival it seems Lorenzo will leave me soon.

I felt a ball of emotions in my throat. I wonder if leaving me would be so easy for Lorenzo. Was I really this replaceable?

I got up from the hospital bed and intended to get discharged sooner. It would be ideal if I leave the house before Lorenzo and Aubrey returns back to Ricci estate.

I walked past the nurses' station and heard the nurses talking. “Aren’t the couple in room 1A the sweetest? He is so doted on his wife.”

I smiled, knowing it would never be Lorenzo and me. I couldn’t help but look in the same direction where they were pointing.

Curiously, I wanted to see and imagine what it looked like. I watched their back as the man gently rubbed the woman’s shoulder and asked, “Are you feeling good now?” The voice sounded familiar.

The woman’s laughter filled everyone’s heart. “I am better.”

“You should take care of her. Being a father is a responsibility.” But my heart had already dropped. These both voices were familiar. I knew who they were before I took these few more steps.

It was Lorenzo and Aubrey without any doubt.

“…I knew I had to get her checked up. Especially, after you told us the last time how this is a high risk pregnancy. I am trying to keep her happy but ask her to rest well. She is always carrying things for me…”

I felt the ground under my feet tilting. My whole existence was shaken. Every hope, every belief and every dream of mine dissolved there in that moment.

They were clearly in love and seemed passionate about being parents.

Lorenzo was taking care of Aubrey because she was pregnant with his child. All of the care and attention I was expecting from him was already directed somewhere else.

I felt numb. My whole body turned cold. I finally realized why Lorenzo didn’t believe me when I said I was pregnant. He didn’t care about my pregnancy because he was worried about Aubrey’s child.

Perhaps, Lorenzo thought that my womb would lose his blood, the third time too. Maybe he realized that I was telling him the truth about me being pregnant but he still didn’t care and chose Aubrey’s child over mine.

They had been secretly living a happy life together. That is why they seemed so close together.

I was the only one who could not see this coming. I was made a fool of. I could not feel the ground under my feet, but I still thanked heaven for letting me see all this with my own eyes.

Now I didn’t want to live separately for the time I was pregnant; I wanted a divorce. I wanted to break any bond that was holding this cancerous marriage together.

My mother always warned me, “Stay away from Lorenzo. He is good for nothing.”

I had promised my mother that I wouldn’t fall for Lorenzo, but I did anyway and broke that promise.

I was indeed being punished for it. I wiped my tears away and promised that I would live for myself from now on.

I returned to the mansion and called my lawyer to prepare the divorce papers.

I only packed the stuff that I bought with my own money. I decided to write a note for Lorenzo, but there were no words left.

So, I only wrote the necessary. “My lawyer will send you the divorce papers.” I placed the note and my ring on the same table where I hit my belly earlier.

I knew he would get this divorce processed sooner than later. When he would found that I am not asking anything in return, he will sign it instantly, fearing what if I changed my mind in the future about not wanting anything.

This is where everything had come to an end. Because this is where I chose myself, my child and my self-esteem.