Rising from the ash

Chapter 1: The Anniversary

Sophia hummed a soft tune as she parked her car in the driveway, her hand instinctively going to her swollen belly. She looked over at the bags of groceries and gifts that lined the passenger seat. Today was her and Ryan's fifth wedding anniversary, and despite the growing discomfort of the pregnancy, she wanted everything to be perfect.

The sweet fragrance of fresh flowers filled the air as Sophia stepped inside their cozy home, struggling to balance the bags. She placed them on the counter and admired the small setup she had planned: a bouquet of white roses, Ryan's favorite cake, and a heartfelt handwritten card she had poured her soul into.

She rubbed her belly gently. "Your dad's going to love this," she whispered, smiling.

But in that instant, her calm was broken at the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. Ryan literally stormed into the kitchen, his face twisted with rage. He had a photo clutched in his hands, and his knuckles were white from the grip of his hold.

"Sophia!" he hollered, slamming the photo upon the counter.

Sophia flinched, startled, from his tone. "Ryan? What's wrong?"

His dark eyes seared into hers. "What's wrong? This is what's wrong!" He jabbed his finger at the photo.

Sophia's heart sank as she looked at the image. It showed her lying in bed, apparently naked, with a man she didn't know. The angle was deceptive, the image grainy, but the implication was clear.

"Ryan… this isn't what it looks like," she stammered, her voice shaking.

Oh, really?" He sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're going to tell me this is fake? That it's not you? Do you take me for a fool, Sophia?"

"I swear, Ryan. I have no idea how this photo exists. It's not real!" Sophia pleaded, tears pooling in her eyes.

Ryan scoffed, stepping closer. "Not real? Do you think I'd believe that? You're cheating on me while carrying my child?

Sophia's breath hitched. "Please, Ryan. You know I'd never—"

"Enough!" he roared, cutting her off. In his blind rage, he shoved her.

Sophia stumbled back, hands instinctively going to her belly. Her heel caught on the edge of the rug, and she fell, landing hard on the tiled floor. Pain shot through her body as she gasped, her vision blurring.

Ryan froze for a moment, something akin to regret flickering across his face, before it was masked again by the anger. Without another word, he spun and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

Sophia lay on the floor, her hands shaking as she cradled her tummy. She panicked; in a whispered tone, she begged, "Baby, please, stay with me. Please.

Her mind was racing, trying to piece together what had just transpired. The photo… where did it come from? Who wanted to destroy her marriage? And why would Ryan believe such an outlandish thing without at least giving her the chance to explain?

Sophia was still crumpled on the floor, clutching at her belly and trying to catch her racing heart amidst the sound of heels clicking against the tile. She turned her head weakly to the side, her blurred vision focusing on the figure stepping into the kitchen.

It was her mother-in-law, Eleanor Walsh-a woman with a reputation for coldness and an obsession with status. Eleanor's piercing eyes immediately locked onto the photo lying on the counter, and a cruel smirk spread across her face as she picked it up.

"Well, well," Eleanor sneered, her voice icy. "So, it's true. You're nothing but a filthy cheater."

Sophia shook her head weakly. "I didn't… I swear, it's not true—

And then before Sophia could finish, the hand lashed out at her face in a smart, razorlike crack. The sting was instant, and Sophia gasped, shocked, her head snapped sideways.

Don't you dare lie to me!" Eleanor spat, her voice low and venomous. "I knew you were never good enough for my son. From the moment he brought you into this family, I told him you'd be a disgrace. And look at you now—proving me right."

Tears streamed down Sophia's face as she struggled to push herself up off the floor. "Please… you have to believe me. This photo is fake. I don't even know that man!

Eleanor crossed her arms, a mix of disdain and satisfaction on her face. "Spare me your sob story. You've already humiliated my son. You think I'll let you ruin his life any further? Divorce him, Sophia. Get out of his life so he can marry someone worthy-someone who comes from wealth and prestige, someone who can give him the heir he deserves.

Her voice faltered as she spoke. "I love Ryan. I would never hurt him. And this baby—our baby—needs a father."

Eleanor snorted in disbelief, bending down to glare at Sophia. "That baby?" She jerked her head in the direction of Sophia's tummy. "How are we to even know it's Ryan's? For all we know, it could be that man's child in the photo. You're nothing but a gold-digging tramp, Sophia. You got my son with this pregnancy trap, and now you're caught in your own deceitful web."

The venom in Eleanor's words cut deep into Sophia's heart. She cradled her belly protectively, as if shielding her unborn child from the hatred pouring out of the woman before her.

"I swear on my life," Sophia whispered, her voice breaking. "This child is Ryan's.

"Don't you dare speak of your life to me," Eleanor snapped. "You don't belong here. My son deserves a wife from a family that can elevate his status, not some pathetic little girl from nowhere. Do us all a favor and leave before you drag him down any further."

Sophia’s tears blurred her vision as she tried to stand, leaning on the counter for support. “I won’t leave Ryan. I’ll fight for my marriage.”

Eleanor laughed bitterly, her voice dripping with mockery. “Fight all you want, dear. But when Ryan sees the truth, he’ll throw you out himself. Mark my words, Sophia—you’ll never be a part of this family again.”

Eleanor spun on her heel, the sound of her heels clicking once more as she strode out of the kitchen. But before she left, she turned back, her eyes narrowing.

"And don't think I won't make sure that child grows up knowing what a disgrace their mother is," she added coldly before slamming the door behind her.

Sophia struggled to steady herself, her body trembling as she pushed against the counter to stand. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow, but she couldn't afford to crumble now. Just as she managed to pull herself upright, a voice behind her broke the silence.

"Are you still here?

Sophia froze, her heart sinking. She turned to see Lana, Ryan's childhood friend, standing at her doorway with a smug smile on her face.

"You!" Sophia gasped, shock and disbelief laced in her voice. "What are you doing here, Lana?"

Lana stepped into the kitchen, her heels clicking against the tiles with confidence. She crossed her arms and tilted her head mockingly. "I'm here to take your place, of course.

Sophia’s heart raced as her suspicions began to solidify. “So, you’re the mastermind behind this photo, aren’t you?” she accused, pointing to the picture still lying on the counter. “You did all of this just to drive me away from my marriage!”

Lana smirked, unrepentant. "It wasn't that hard, really. Ryan trusts me more than he'll ever trust you. One little photo, and he was ready to believe the worst about you."

Sophia's voice shook with anger and despair. "You're vile, Lana. How could you do this? To Ryan? To me? To our baby?

Lana shrugged, taking a step closer to Sophia. "Ryan deserves someone better. Someone who's been by his side since the beginning. Someone like me. And you…" She narrowed her eyes. "You're just a placeholder."

Sophia straightened, hands protectively cradling her belly. "I'll never divorce Ryan. Never. You won't win."

Lana's face darkened, and her voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "We'll see about that.

Without warning, Lana pushed Sophia with both hands. The impact sent Sophia backward, stumbling, and her stomach landed on the sharp edge of the table in the kitchen. A bolt of lightning-like pain shot through her as she fell to the floor, crying loudly.

He heard the front door open. Ryan stepped into the kitchen just in time to catch Sophia as she fell, clutching her belly with a look of agony across her face.

Before Sophia could utter a word, Lana let out a dramatic gasp, clutching her cheek as if she had been struck. "Ryan!" she cried running to him with tears streaming down her face. "She attacked me! I was just trying to reason with her, and she lashed out!"

Ryan's face twisted in anger as he looked at Sophia on the floor, her hand outstretched toward him.

Ryan… please… listen to me," Sophia pleaded in a weak voice, her voice barely audible.

But Ryan's fury had blinded him. He stormed toward Sophia, grabbed her by the shoulders, and slammed her head against the cold, hard floor. The impact sent stars exploding in her vision as pain radiated through her skull.

You've gone too far this time, Sophia!" Ryan yelled, his voice full of venom. "How dare you lay a hand on Lana? After everything you've done!"

Sophia's tears mingled with the blood pooling beneath her head as she reached for him again in desperation for him to see the truth. "Ryan. I didn't. It was her.

But her words slurred into incoherence, strength sapping from her in a rush. Ryan turned his back on her, his jaw set hard, refusing to even look at her. Behind him, Lana smirked, that victorious glint in her eyes.

Darkness crept in as vision began to blur, and before Sophia lost consciousness, she could only see the cold, unforgiving back of Ryan.

The fluorescent lights above the hospital flickered, casting a cold, sterile glow over the waiting room. Ryan sat on the edge of his seat, his fingers pressed to his temples. Eleanor paced back and forth, muttering angrily under her breath. The tension was palpable, a storm brewing in the small space.

The emergency room doors swung open, and a doctor, looking grave, ap

proached. Ryan immediately stood up, his heart pounding.

Mr. Walsh," the doctor said, his voice steady but serious,