Chapter 1

Lisa's POV

"Mrs. Moreno," the doctor said, stepping closer with a file in hand bearing my name. Her expression was grave, eyes fixed on the report. "We've successfully evacuated the baby from your womb.... but I'm afraid there are some complications. Going forward you have to be very careful. The abortion pills have made your womb very fragile and any more abortion in the future can cause you to lose your life."

Her words hit me like a sledgehammer, ripping my heart apart. I opened my mouth to talk but no words came out. So I just nodded slowly, trying so hard not to blink as doing that would cause the tears that I have been holding back to fall.

Dr. Vexley forced a smile and continued. "You can be discharged now. Where is your husband? I don't see him anywhere around here."

Right. Where the hell is Bryan? He had left hurriedly yesterday after telling me he had to take care of some business deals. He should be here by my side, comforting me but he had disappeared into thin air.

I couldn't tell the doctor that, so I lied, "He quickly stepped out to grab something."

She nodded and stepped out of the room after checking my vitals one last time.

The moment, the door shut behind her, I finally broke. My tears streamed down, hot against my cheeks, fingers curling tightly around the bedsheets like it was the only thing holding me together.

Pulling the zipper of my bags open, I retrieved the picture of the x-ray of my baby—the one I never got the chance to meet. I trailed my fingers on the black and white image and a choked sob slipped past my lips.

Two months ago, I discovered that I was four weeks pregnant for my husband, Bryan Moreno on our third year wedding anniversary. It was the happiest day of our lives and we looked forward to becoming parents. But a week ago, while at work, I noticed blood slipping down my thighs and I collapsed before I knew what was happening.

When I woke up two days ago, the doctor diagnosed that I  lost my baby from the complication of using an overdose of abortion pills and a surgery was carried out on me to remove the dead child.

Abortion pills? The words felt strange to my ears because I don't remember using any. How did an abortion pill get into my system, just how? Why would I want to get rid of the same child I have looked forward to all my life?

I had done a lot of thinking, trying to fight out who could have fed me with an abortion pills but I couldn't think of anyone. Other than Bryan, Selena—my best friend, and Anna, my colleague at work—no one else knew about my pregnancy.

And now, I'm on the verge of losing my life for something I didn't have an idea about.

I wiped my tears off with the back of my hand, still sobbing and suddenly felt suffocated by the pungent smell of the hospital, felt haunted by the sterile cold walls—They were quiet reminder of what I have lost. I needed to get out of here as soon as possible.

Straining my weak hands, I reached for my phone on the bedstand. With trembling fingers, I swiped the screen open, dialing Bryan. It rang once. Twice. Thrice. Up to the tenth time, but he wasn't answering.

What the hell is he doing? I let out a frustrated sigh, slamming the phone on the bed. Maybe he is busy with the new investors he talked about?

Still willing to go home, I stood slowly from the bed, changed away from the hospital robe into a loose dress and packed my few belongings. I made my way out of the hospital, the afternoon sun brushing against my face.

"Gray wood street," I muttered to the cab driver as I slid into the backseat. I heaved deeply, resting my head on the door as different thoughts swirled my mind again. The baby. The pills. The complications.

"Ma'am," the cab driver voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "We've arrived." He was staring back at me weirdly and that tells me he's been calling me for a while but I had zoned out completely and didn't hear him.

"Oh..." I quickly retrieved a few dollars from my purse, handing them to him. "You can keep the change."

"Thanks......" He gave a grateful smile.

I forced a smile, stepping out.

With slow, heavy steps, I made my way towards our small but comfortable apartment. Inside, I was surprised to see Bryan's car parked at the garage. If he was home, why didn't come over to the hospital? I shoved the thoughts off. Maybe he just got back.

I froze the moment I stepped into the living room. The air in there was thick with a scent of sex, and lust.

A low, breathy moan echoed down the hallway. My heart twisted. No, no, no… This can't be happening, right?

Dragging my weak body forward, each step felt like a betrayal to my soul. I walked down the hallway, the open bedroom door exposing more than I could bear. My trembling hand reached for the doorframe as I stared inside.

And there he was.

Bryan. My husband. The man who swore to cherish me. The man who was supposed to be there for me at this challenging time.

Naked. Thrusting into Selena from behind. In our matrimonial home and on our bed—the one I paid for.

Her ass was arched backward, fingers digging into the bedsheets like a lifeline, her moans reverberated through the room like a prayer chant.

My world tilted. My breath caught in my throat, and the forbidden sight playing out before me felt like a dagger in my chest, ripping me into a thousand shard pieces.

He saw me first and instead of regrets or remorse, he didn’t even flinch. He didn’t bother to cover himself. He didn’t look ashamed. He pulled out of her, stared right into my eyes and smirked devilishly.

What?

Tears blurred my vision.

Selena gasped and scrambled to pull the blanket over her chest, but then her expression soon shifted and a sinister smile curled up her lips.

Bryan simply got off the bed and reached casually for his pants, pulling it on before strolling towards me.

“You’re back early,” he said. Calm. Cold. Like I had just walked in on him while reading a book.

That was all?

That was all he had to say?

I was fighting for my life at the hospital and he was here fucking my best friend?

I stood frozen, the hospital bag still slung over my shoulder, my knees barely holding me upright. “How… how could you?” I whispered, my voice raw with pain and breaking.

He looked me dead in the eye and said, “You were becoming irritating. Always trying to prove you are better than I am."

My heart cracked.

Still wrapped with the blanket, Selena stood. "Yes.... Lisa. Do you think Bryan would remain in your shadows forever?"

"My shadows? What the hell did you mean?"

"Bryan doesn't need a woman that is too successful and won't submit to him," she clarified and I understood what she meant.

Over the years, Bryan has always been insecured. I take up all the bills without complaints since I had a well paying job, yet he complains that I don't make him feel like the man.

How was I supposed to do that?

I have supported every failed business proposal of his, clothe him, feed him and yet he does not see it as being supportive.

Then Bryan walked over to the desk, picked up a brown envelope, and tossed it at my feet.

“Here,” he said. “These are the divorce papers. Sign them. I’ll have them filed by morning.”

I stared at the envelope like it was a live bomb. My fingers trembled at my sides.

“Why?” I choked out, the word tasted like blood. “Why would you do this to me? After everything—after the baby—”

He rolled his eyes. “You think I wanted that baby? That was your dream, not mine. You really think you can tie me down with that, don't you? Thank goodness, I got rid of it."