Chapter Two: Finding The Truth

That night, after returning home, I waited for George to step into the shower. I booked an appointment for an abortion.

And I purchased a plane ticket to Chicago. Three days from now, I would be gone.

I immediately dropped down my cellphone immediately he emerged from the bathroom with his hair damp, he spoke casually, as if it were of little importance.

"Honey, I'm going on a business trip abroad in three days and I'll be busy for over a month."

How right? A month was just enough time for his wedding, and plus his honeymoon.

I looked up at him and asked softly, "George, I haven’t been feeling well lately. Can you stay? I’d like you to spend more time with me." I said to hear his reply..

His brows furrowed instantly, his voice turning cold and harsh. "Honey, we’ve been together for seven years and you know how I am. I don’t like women interfering in my work. Be good and wait for me at home. I’ll bring you back a gift when I return."

At that minute my last shred of hope crumbled. I lowered my gaze, swallowing my disappointment. "You're right. I was just being selfish. Go ahead."

Satisfied, George’s expression softened and his furrowed eyebrows turned back to normal, his lips curved into a bright smile.

He pushed me down onto the bed, his breath laced with the scent of alcohol as he murmured into my ear.

"Darling, the nutritionist says your body has recovered well. Why don’t we have a baby tonight? I really want to watch our child grow up with you."

A wave of bitter irony washed over me and I gently pushed him away.

"Not tonight. You’ve been drinking. It could harm the baby’s health."

Knowing how much I cared about this, George didn't suspect a thing. He kissed my forehead before drifting off to sleep. As his breathing steadied, I quietly reached for his jacket. That was when I discovered it. A second phone. One I had never seen before.

I tried severally to unlock the phone but the passcodes I assumed just weren't it and that's when an idea came into my mind.

I typed in Brittney’s birth year and the phone unlocked..

Although I felt bitter, but I didn't really care. I wanted to convince myself and find out if everything is indeed true and if I had indeed wasted seven years.

My heart pounded as the phone unlocked and the lock screen wallpaper wasn't so surprising but it did make my stomach churn. It was a clear picture of George and Brittney. Kissing.

I tapped the messages icon and then I found a chat between he and Brittney and he had stored the cell phone number as ‘My Love’ meaning that I was just a substitute when Brittney was away..

I swallowed the bitterness as I continued to scroll up to read the conversation.

The messages began with George sending a smiling sticker with love arrows and a heart beside it..then his message read..

‘Brittney, I got the specimen for you. It’ll be shipped over by helicopter this afternoon. And more over it's Fresh!. It won’t affect your research data.’

Another message read below, ‘You ran out of the last specimen? Don’t worry. Rory is pregnant again. I’ll find a way to induce premature labor. You’ll have a new one soon. My girl, you are such a diligent and hardworking lady. You are going to be a great doctor one day.’

And another, ‘Brittney, when will you return to Brooklyn? I’ve been saving my wife’s place for you. Rory is just a tool for me to relieve stress. I promise there's nothing serious between us!’

I gasped silently as I read the messages and tears began to roll out of my eyes..

My hands trembled as I touched my stomach, tears spilling down my cheeks. This child… should never have come into this world.

I continued scrolling and I saw photo albums filled with pictures of them…together from childhood to adulthood.

Tens and thousands of photos, each one captioned with a different love note.

Seven years of our hidden marriage and he had spent most of it on ‘business trips!’ and all of them were just silly excuses to be with her.

My breath hitched when I checked his saved messages. More than a hundred versions of wedding plans.

Every detail, big and small, meticulously arranged. All personally planned by George…..just for her!.

The wedding arrangements were all arranged in grand style and It made me remember our wedding registration…

That day I hadn't even got one single present from George and when he noticed my displeasure, he just patted me on the head and told me not to worry that flowers and jewels were for little girls..

“My darling is not a little girlie, is she?” He has said and I had stupidly agreed with him..

But here he was buying expensive and luxurious jewls for his bride.

I wondered what happened to ‘Not being a little girlie!’ and his actions to Brittney made me realize that I was nothing but a toy indeed.

Looking at the photos of them smooching and cuddling amidst that sea of blooms, I suddenly bursted into laughter–then burst into tears.

Taking a deep breath, I snapped pictures of everything with my cellphone–the wedding plans, the gifts, the messages, the jewelry store in her name.

I searched all drawers for the one thing that bonded us–or maybe not…

And then, I found it. The fake marriage certificate…

At the time, George had told me he didn’t want me to be troubled, so he arranged for the people in charge of the registration to come to our home for the formalities.

But…turns out, they were just actors….

I tore the certificate into pieces and tossed it into the waste bin.

Returning to bed, I stared at George’s sleeping face–so cold, so calm, so handsome and so vulnerable.

Once, this sight would fill my heart with warmth and pleasure. Now, it only made me sick and a night of silent sorrow and agony left me sleepless…..

…

The next morning, as usual, George had the servants prepare an elaborate breakfast for me.

In the past and just yesterday ago, I was always touched by his thoughtfulness, believing he truly cared for me. But after seeing those messages, I realized it was just all an act and a sentimental scheme to make me commit suicide myself..

‘Oh why did I ever get entangled with this ruthless mafian?’ I would ask myself..

But what answer did I get?--Nothing!

Every carefully prepared, nutritious meal I have ever eaten–Brittney had already tasted it from the beginning.

The only difference was that hers were personally prepared by George himself.

Thinking about that made a wave of nausea crash over me…

I barely made it to the sink before throwing up.

George rushed to help me and he stayed by my side with his hands gently supporting me.

“Darling, what’s going on?” A glimspe of excitement and joy flashed in his eyes.

“Are you…having a baby again?”

I caught the look on his face and inwardly snorted.

Why was he so happy? Was he just waiting to use this child to please his beloved again?

I wiped my mouth, forcing a drained smile.

“No. You know how weak my body is. After losing those babies, I can barely take in anymore.”

George cupped my face with his palms, his tone filled with gentle reassurance. “Rory, don’t blame yourself, my love…. It wasn’t your fault. I don’t hold it against you. Just focus on getting better and I’m sure….we’ll have a healthy child one day.”

He placed his hand on my head and patted me to reassure me severally my, his tone turned even lighter. “Don’t be sad, alright? Today is my father’s 70th birthday. Many guests are coming to join us in the celebration. We need to be there, my darling...”

Then, his voice twisted slightly. “But… since our lovely marriage is still a secret, even my mother doesn’t know. So if anyone asks about your identity–”

I already knew what he was about to say so I cut him off with a faint smile. “I understand. I’ll just say I’m your secretary.”

His face lit up with satisfaction. “I knew you’d understand, Honey.”

…

When we arrived at the Lorens Mansion, the first thing I saw was Brittney clinging to my mother-in-law’s arm stupidly, acting as though she were a spoiled child.

She was dressed in a designer red dress, pretending to take my mother-in-law’s wrist to check her pulse as she said jokingly, “Mother, you have the healthiest body! You could probably live to be two hundred years old.”

My mother-in-law beamed, delighted by her praises.

With a smile, she slipped off the jade bracelet on her wrist and placed it into Brittney’s hand.

“This belonged to the Loren Family’s ancestors. It is passed down to the wives of the next generation.”

Brittney turned to me, her smile filled with deeper and hidden meanings. Yet, her words were sweetly innocent. “Auntie, this is too much for an ordinary guest like me. I couldn’t possibly accept it.”

My mother-in-law laughed. “Oh, George brought his girlfriend today! That’s his choice of a future wife, isn’t it? Maybe she’ll give us five grandchildren one day. You should give it to her instead.”

Her eyes finally landed on me and she gave me a dangerous side eye as she scanned me as though I was nothing, her gaze filled with open disdain as she took a distained look at my simple, black dress.

But George had said I looked great on it…but I knew it was all part of the act to disgrace me..

And..I wasn't going to let that happen..

Not ever–Not now…

I was definitely tired of this mother in law drama…

“What girlfriend? That’s just George’s little secretary from work.” Brittney replied. Then, her expression darkened in disgust….