Chapter 5 — The Hidden Truth

Twenty days had passed since the night Olivia—without knowing it—had given herself to a stranger. Since then, Peter hadn’t said a single word to her. Her messages went unanswered, her calls went straight to voicemail. The silence became an unbearable weight.

It was her mother-in-law who told her the day he would be back.

That information echoed in Olivia’s mind as she wrapped up her shift at the company. Her heart pulsed with anticipation—hope tangled with fear. She needed to see him. She needed answers.

But there was something even more urgent growing inside her.

In the past few days, her body had begun sending different signals. A late period. Sudden waves of nausea. A crushing sleepiness she couldn’t control.

As soon as she left the office, she pulled into a pharmacy and bought a pregnancy test.

In the car, one hand on the steering wheel, the other slid down to her still-flat belly.

“Could there already be a tiny baby in here?” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion as a nervous smile appeared. “It wasn’t in my plans right now… but if it’s positive, I’ll be so, so happy. Because you’ll be the child of the great love of my life.”

The drive home felt slow, every red light like a test of patience.

When she walked in, she found her father, Fabrício, sitting in the living room armchair, scrolling through his phone. His face lit up the moment he saw her.

“How was your day, my Pearl?” he asked, using the affectionate nickname he always had.

She leaned down and kissed his forehead.

“It was good, Dad. Everything’s under control.”

His eyes shone with pride.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. You’re the most precious jewel in my life. I just wish your brother would follow your example… Victor is an excellent engineer, but he has no sense at all.”

Olivia smiled, trying to hide the tension consuming her.

“Dad, watch your heart… don’t worry. Victor is getting his act together, you’ll see.”

“I hope so, honey. I really do…” he sighed.

She went upstairs to her bedroom and closed the door behind her. She dropped her bag onto the chair and walked into the closet. The mirror reflected her anxious face, her hands instinctively resting on her belly.

“Let it be positive…” she whispered to her own reflection.

She returned to the bedroom, took the test from her bag, and sat on the bed for a few seconds to breathe. Then she went into the bathroom.

Minutes later, she came out with her heart racing. She paced back and forth, staring at the clock. Five minutes felt like eternity.

When the time finally ran out, she went back into the bathroom. Her gaze locked, barely breathing, she picked up the test with trembling hands.

Two lines.

The air left her lungs in a broken sob.

“Positive…” she whispered, a smile blooming through the tears that spilled without control. “Oh my God… I’m pregnant!”

She sank onto the closed toilet lid, staring at the test. The emotion was overwhelming. She imagined a tiny baby with light eyes like hers and Peter’s face. Hope bloomed—sweet, naïve.

“I’ll tell him tomorrow. Peter will be happy… he’ll be the most incredible father in the world,” she said softly, already dreaming.

That morning, she went in for a transvaginal ultrasound.

“Ma’am, how would you like to pay?” the receptionist asked.

“Card,” Olivia said, opening her bag and pulling out her wallet with a discreet smile. “I’m going to use Peter’s card for our baby’s first expense. He always said that the day I got pregnant, it would be his responsibility to take care of everything,” she added, her voice low, filled with quiet affection.

The OB-GYN welcomed her warmly.

“Shall we begin, Olivia?” she asked, gesturing toward the bed.

Olivia lay back, her heart pounding unevenly. On the screen, small images appeared. The doctor adjusted the device.

“Do you see?” the obstetrician asked gently. “That’s your baby.”

Olivia couldn’t hold back her tears.

“It’s so emotional, knowing I’m creating a life. Is everything okay with the baby?” Her voice came out shaky.

“Yes, everything looks normal,” the doctor smiled. “Now you’ll need to start prenatal care. But you can relax—your baby is growing well.”

Olivia cried again, this time silently. Finally, she placed both hands over her belly and murmured, her voice trembling:

“You’re a beautiful gift God gave us. And you’ll have the most wonderful parents in the world. I love you, my love.”

That night, Olivia got dressed carefully—an elegant dress, worthy of such a special moment. She tucked the pregnancy test and the ultrasound report into her bag. Proof of the future she carried inside her.

She drove to Peter’s apartment. Her heart sped up as soon as she arrived.

She rode the elevator up, breath trapped in her chest. When she rang the doorbell, her legs went weak.

Peter opened the door. His face was hard, his eyes cold.

“Olivia,” he said flatly.

She forced a smile, trying to hold back the emotion.

“Love… I missed you so much. We need to talk,” she said, stepping closer to kiss him.

He subtly stepped back without saying a word. She walked in, her eyes scanning the spotless apartment, as always.

“Is everything okay, love?” Olivia asked, worried.

“I’m tired, Olivia. If you can be quick…” Peter replied, his voice cold as he headed for the sofa.

They sat. Olivia took a deep breath, opened her bag, and pulled out the pregnancy test first. She placed it on the table between them, her heart pounding so loudly it felt audible.

“Peter… I’m pregnant,” she said, her voice thick but lit with hope. “We’re having a baby.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. She searched his face for any reaction—shock, joy, anything.

But what came next was an explosion.

“Pregnant?” Peter shot up, his voice loaded with rage. “Don’t you dare tell me that child is mine!”

Olivia blinked, stunned.

“What do you mean? Of course it’s yours!” she replied, her eyes filling. “This isn’t the time for jokes, love.”

He snatched the test off the table and threw it at her face.

“Don’t make a fool out of me, you slut! You slept with another man and now you want me to raise his kid?”

The words hit her like knives. Tears began to fall.

“Love… why are you being so aggressive?” Olivia asked, shocked.

Peter lunged toward her and yanked her up by the arms, brutally.

“Another man fucked you. This bastard isn’t mine!”

“Another man?” she repeated, not understanding. “What are you talking about, Peter? I… I’ve only been with you! I never cheated on you.”

“Liar!” he shouted, his gaze cruel, before throwing her onto the sofa. “You’re not going to fool me with that innocent act. You cheated on me, Olivia!”

Sobbing, Olivia went to him and wrapped her arms around him, pleading.

“Love, stop! I saved myself for you, I gave myself to you… and now you want to run from responsibility?”

Peter grabbed her face, pretending fury at that confession—but his real rage burned over the promotion he had lost. Then he spilled his version:

“Responsibility? I left you in that hotel suite and went to get a surprise. My mother called me saying she was sick, so I went to see her. I didn’t touch you. Stop lying!”

Olivia’s legs nearly gave out. Her chest tightened. Her mind spun, trying to piece things together. The memories of that special night came back blurred—drowned in wine and an unfamiliar heat. The last thing she remembered was Peter murmuring that she was “tight”…

A cold shiver ran down her spine.

“No… it can’t be…” she whispered, barely audible.

Tears streamed down her face, but they weren’t only sadness—they were fear. Something about that night didn’t make sense. And now, Peter’s cruelty tore open a deep wound.

“Peter… you’re not ready to be a father, is that it?” she asked, utterly desperate, trying to understand.

He grabbed her by the arms and dragged her toward the door.

“That’s enough!” he snarled. “While I was out there getting humiliated, you were spreading your legs for any man you could find. Get out of my life!”

He threw her out and slammed the door violently.

Olivia collapsed to her knees in the hallway, her body shaking, her eyes wide with shock. Tears fell without her even noticing.

“Whose child am I carrying?”

“Who was the man that night?”

The questions echoed inside her like screams, ripping through the suffocating silence of the corridor.