2: Pregnancy

SOLACE

“You're weeks pregnant, Mrs. Rivera, congratulations!” The doctor happily announced. “Though, your body needs some vitamins; the fetus is developing healthily.”

“I-I’m pregnant?” My voice trembled,  I wasn’t able to immediately believe the words she said.

“Yes, Mrs. Rivera. You heard it right, you're weeks pregnant, and it’s healthy.” She gave me the prescription. “It’s a shame that you’re not with your husband; I’m sure he will be happy too about this news,” she said, smiling. She even patted my hand, like giving me her support.

I immediately wiped the tears from my eyes and chuckled.

“It’s fine, I will surprise him with this.” I caressed the laboratory result I was holding. “I know he will be happy once he knows he’ll be a father,” I whispered as I remembered the words he said before our wedding. We might have had a fight these past few weeks but I know he will be happy once he hears that we will be parents now.

He wants children, this may be the way for us to fix our marriage.

“Indeed. Congratulations again; let’s meet at your next session again.” She said and call the next patient 

I nodded and stood up; even though I was already outside her office, the smile on my face remained. I can’t hide how happy I am right now, knowing that we're finally having a child on our own. Even though I want to call him right now, I’m sure he’s busy with the company problem right now, so I will wait at home and surprise him with the news of my pregnancy–

“Ouch! Are you blind, can’t you see that I’m here?!” A loud voice of a woman echoed in the hallway, some of the other patients looked at our side to watch what’s happening.

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to! I was reading my test and…”

“I don’t need your explanation! What if something bad happened to my baby and me? What can you apologize for?!” Her voice kept rising, but somehow, it was so familiar.

So familiar that I’m sure I heard it numerous times already.

I immediately picked up my laboratory results and looked at her; we both looked stunned when our eyes finally met.

“Y-You…” She stuttered and stepped back, but someone held both her arms and stopped her from moving.

“What happened? Are you okay?” He checked her body, making sure she was alright. “Did they bump your stomach?”

“No, Mr. Rivera, I’m fine.” She pushed his hand that made Trenton confused.

“What’s wrong?” He asked and finally decided to look in my direction; like our reaction earlier, his eyes widened. “Solace, what are you doing here?”

I gripped my palm tightly; I should be the one asking those questions of him. He clearly said that there’s an urgent problem in the company and he needs to be there, so why is he here with his secretary caressing her stomach so gently?!

“I thought you were in the company; why are you here and with…” I glanced at Aster, who once again clung her arms to his.

“Are you accusing me of lying?” He retorted.

“I’m simply asking you, Trenton. Isn’t it normal for me to ask you, since what I know is you're busy with the company problem, and suddenly meet you here?” I calmly replied, even though I could feel my heartbeat banging loudly in my chest.

 “She suddenly felt sick, so I drove her here. Don’t put malice to everything I do. I’m simply helping my secretary; it’s nothing!” He said and walked toward me. “We're already married, so what’s the point of you getting jealous? You keep being unreasonable, and it’s tiring to be honest!”

Unreasonable?

Tiring?

I scoffed and laughed sarcastically; I looked straight into his eyes.

When I’m the one asked him to drive me to the hospital. He said I should just call a cab. Yet, here he is driving someone else because he’s worried about his employee?

“Then keep helping her; I’m going,” I said and started to walk, but he immediately held my hand to stop me.

“I will take you home,” he said and was about to step forward when Aster held the hem of his suit, the way I did earlier to stop him too.

“M-Mr. Rivera, my stomach still hurts. I’m afraid to be alone, please…” Her voice trembled, tears forming in her eyes.

I looked at him, the sharp stab of disappointment straight through my chest as I saw his hesitation. Earlier, he didn’t even think twice at all and even looked at me with annoyance in his eyes, but now…

“You go first; I will call a cab for you to take you home safely,” he said, but I slapped his hand away from me.

I’m his wife, I should be his priority. How could he choose her over me?

“You chose her over me, your wife?” I could not help but ask, my laboratory result almost crumpled in my palm.

“She’s sick and needs someone to accompany her,” he explained. “She’s my secretary; I should make sure that she’s safe.”

“And I’m your wife,” I stated.

I can’t believe I still need to voice it out for him to realize he’s choosing someone else over me, his lawful wife. Not only in the eyes of people, but also in law and church.

“She’s pregnant; if something happens to her and the baby, the company will face a backlash!” He said, and caressed my arms. “Sol, be understanding for once.”

My heart sank.

“I’m pregnant too,” I whispered and looked at him. “I’m carrying your child, Trenton.” I feel like the more I speak, the more I fight for it… something inside me is getting twisted tightly.

This news should be a surprise for him, not a bargaining news so he chose me.

“W-What?” His hand fell on his side. “You’re pregnant?”

“You heard what I said clearly, yes I’m pregnant with your child. So, I’m making you choose, her or me?” It’s the first time I’ve done it, asking him to choose me for once.

Just once, Trenton… Just once make me see that everything I did for this relationship is worth it, that my love for you is not just your second best.