THE BILLIONAIRE’S BETRAYAL: Married To My Ex’s Brother

River’s POV

"Inmate 304, you've been released." I heard the cold voice of the warder, who had made my life a living hell in this prison. I’m very sure she was sent by the devil to punish me, and every time I hear her voice, I get disgusted.

My face slowly rose from the worn-out concrete floor, my eyes heavy with exhaustion. I’ve been feeling nauseous for months now, but I brushed it off as exhaustion from prison life.

Nine months of hard labour, endless nights spent on a thin mattress, and the weight of betrayal hung heavy on my shoulders. My fiancé Rowan, who was also my boss, was the reason I had ended up here.

He had promised to bail me out after two months after I agreed to cover up his crimes, but I guess it didn’t just work out, and I ended up serving 9 months.

Silence filled the void where his promises once lay; my heart still ached from the wounds of his abandonment. With a groan, I pushed myself up, my joints creaking in protest.

My legs trembled beneath me, threatening to collapse. I finally stood up, trying to steady myself, when I suddenly felt a sharp, stabbing pain pierce my abdomen, stealing my breath.

"Ahh!" I cried out, clutching my stomach as the agony intensified. My vision became blurry, and my knees buckled as I collapsed onto the cold floor, my palms scraping against the rough concrete.

"Help..." I whispered, my voice barely audible. The warder's expression remained unchanged, her eyes cold as stone. "Are you trying to be an actress right now, 304?” She asked.

I still couldn't move as the pain consumed me. My screams echoed through the cold, grey walls as I clutched my stomach, overwhelmed by searing pain. "Why now?" I cried, tears streaming down my face. "I just got released..." 

But no one responded—the warder, the other inmates—everyone turned a blind eye. Suddenly, the warder rushed out the moment she figured I wasn’t joking. "Stay here; I'll get help!" she called over her shoulder.

In no time more warders burst in, their faces filled with concern. "We need to get her up," one said, and with that, they held my hands, lifting me. And then I felt it—a warm gush spreading down my legs.

"No...no...this can't be happening to me," I whispered, horror-stricken. One of the warders glanced down. "Did your water just break?" She asked, and her eyes widened in shock.

Many thoughts ran through my mind. How? The warders quickly supported me, guiding me out of the room. "We need to get you to the clinic, now," she yelled.

The warders rushed me to the cell's clinic, their grip tight as I stumbled. My whole body was trembling as fear sank in. "I didn't know I was pregnant..." I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

As we entered the clinic, the bright lights and antiseptic smell overwhelmed me. The nurses swarmed around, their faces blurred. A kind-faced nurse helped me onto the hospital bed, her hands gentle.

"A cryptic pregnancy," the doctor murmured. “It’s rare, but it happens.” I felt the sharp pain seize me again, making me scream in agony.

The doctor’s voice became urgent. "It's time, 304; we need to get your baby out.” The doctor moved swiftly, preparing me for delivery. I felt exposed and vulnerable.

"Push!" the doctor urged, her voice firm but encouraging. I screamed, my body straining. The pain consumed me, unlike anything I'd experienced before.

"It hurts, doctor," I cried, my voice hoarse. "Just one more push, 304," the doctor coaxed. With a final surge, I screamed again, pushing.

The pain peaked, and then... silence.

-

A tiny cry filled the room. "It’s a baby girl," the doctor announced, smiling. Tears of joy and shock streamed down my face as the nurse placed my daughter in my arms. I couldn’t believe I was a mother now.

As the nurses tended to me and my baby girl, my thoughts turned to Rowan: Would he accept this child? The uncertainty lingered, but one thing was clear: my life had forever changed.

I cradled my baby girl, still surprised at the fact I had just been released and now I have a child. I never imagined giving birth in prison or that I was even pregnant.

“River!" 

I turned to the familiar voice. Nova, my best friend and my lawyer. "Awwww, River, I'm so happy for you!" Nova exclaimed, rushing to my side.

“How come you never told me you were pregnant?” She said, her face full of shock. “I had a cryptic pregnancy, Nova,” I smiled weakly. Nova had saved me from a lifetime in prison, working tirelessly to prove my innocence.

"Thank you, Nova," I whispered, grasping Nova’s hand. “River, are you okay? You seem... lost,” Nova asked.

“I’m fine, just overwhelmed,” I replied, avoiding eye contact. “You deserve better than someone who abandoned you,” Nova said gently.

“I know, but Rowan... he’s different. He’s busy, that’s all,” I rationalised. “Anyway, you’re free, River. And now, you have a precious reason to start anew."

As I gazed at my baby, I knew Nova was right. This little one was my second chance. After a few hours, the hospital discharged me, Nova arranged for a cab, and in no time I was back home.

Thankful for Nova; she had already helped me clean up my apartment and ordered a few things I needed while we were at the hospital. My thoughts swirled to Rowan; maybe he had been trying to help me get out too.

I couldn't bear the thought of him abandoning me just like that. "I love him so much," I said subconsciously. I dialled Rowan’s number repeatedly, but it went straight to voicemail.

"Maybe he's busy," I said to Nova, trying to sound convinced. Nova nodded sympathetically, her expression sceptical. I paced back and forth, my phone glued to my ear.

I had been calling Rowan and his assistant all day, but no one answered. "River, you just gave birth. Please rest. Why don't you try tomorrow?" Nova suggested.

My eyes welled up with tears. "I just want to see him." Nova’s expression softened. "He'll come around tomorrow. Rest now, okay? Your baby's asleep."

"I'll see you tomorrow, River. I have a case to handle in the morning." I didn’t say a word as I moved to Nova, hugging her tightly.

“Thank you for everything, Nova, and I know you’re going to crash that case tomorrow,” I said, giving her a smile and watching her leave. I looked down at my baby girl, sleeping peacefully.

"Mummy is here for you," I said, allowing the tears I had been holding to fall.

~Two days later~

Rowan’s voicemail greeted me again. I slammed my fist on the bed in frustration. Why Rowan? Don’t you know I have been released?

Immediately an idea struck me: what if I take my baby to Rowan’s home, surprising him? I knew he didn’t like it when I came over unannounced, but I had no choice right now.

I tried to call his assistant again; this time around he picked up, but there was silence. "Why isn’t he saying anything?" I wondered.

Just then, my phone buzzed with an anonymous text: "Meet Rowan at The Emerald Grand Hotel.” My heart skipped a beat. Was this his assistant? 

I quickly grabbed my baby's things, covered her properly, and called a cab. "The Emerald Grand Hotel, please," I instructed the driver. As we drove, so many questions ran through my mind.

What would Rowan say? Would he be happy to see me and our child? We arrived at the hotel, and my eyes widened. The entrance was buzzing with people, fancy decorations, and flashing cameras.

I couldn’t help but wonder what Rowan was doing here. I took a deep breath, paid for the fare, and stepped out. Another text arrived: "Come inside, River. He's waiting." My smile widened.

Did Rowan want to surprise me? I pushed through the crowd, my baby snug in my arms. And the moment I entered the main hall, my smile froze.

In front of me was Rowan exchanging vows with no other person than my best friend Nova!