Chapter 2: Back-Stabbed

Elena’s POV

I crumpled onto the floor, heartbroken by Lucian’s painful words and his distrust of me. Not to mention Lydia’s betrayal. Drawing my knees into my chest, the tears flowed from my eyes as I choked back sobs.

I’ve loved Lucian for so long. Our marriage couldn’t end like this. It just couldn’t.

Our marriage hadn’t started with love. Lucian’s grandmother had been my benefactor. I was an orphan, and she’d stepped in to fund my education. Once I’d finished school, she insisted that Lucian marry me.

Lucian had resisted at first, but she sang my praises like a nightingale. I was ‘loyal’, and ‘smart’, and ‘pretty’. All the makings for a perfect wife. Eventually, Lucian had relented, unable to disobey his grandmother’s wishes.

Which suited me just fine, since I’d always had a crush on Lucian. It was a secret, intense crush, one that I kept close to my heart. Lucian didn’t reciprocate my feelings. Not at first. But I believe that I could win him over. If I was the perfect, doting wife, he’d learn to love me. So that’s what I’d been. 

And it had worked.

Lucian had been cold and distant at first. But over the past few months, something had shifted. His demeanor towards me had softened. He started coming home from work earlier. He brought home my favorite bottle of merlot. And one night, when he thought I was asleep, he pulled the blankets up over my shoulders to tuck me in.

And now we were having a baby. Wiping away the tears from my cheeks, I stood up. I couldn’t just sit here and let him walk out on me. Deep down, I honestly believed that if I could just explain everything to Lucian, he’d realize that I’d done nothing wrong.

So, I decided to go to the hospital to get the real medical report, so I could show Lucian that I was a loyal and devoted wife after all.

At the hospital, I found my obstetrician and asked her to print off the original medical report for me. But as I stood out in the hallway, waiting for the report, I heard a familiar voice.

“This is wonderful news.”

Turning my head, I saw that the voice was coming from an office, the door slightly open.

“Lucian and I couldn’t be happier.”

Lucian?

Furrowing my brow, I crept towards the office. Peeking inside, I was shocked to see Lucian and Lydia sitting at a desk across from an obstetrician. Their backs were turned to me, but it was them for sure.  

What were Lucian and Lydia doing in an obstetrician’s office?

Together?

“Well, you’re not very far along yet, but so far, the baby looks perfectly healthy,” the doctor said, flashing them both a smile.  

Baby?

Lydia was…pregnant? My mind began to race.

“And you’re the father, I assume?” the doctor asked.

To my utter horror, Lucian nodded. Then he took Lydia’s hand in his.

“I am,” Lucian said. “The proud father to be.”

What?!

Lydia was carrying Lucian’s baby?

Something inside of me snapped. Lucian had accused me of cheating on him, when really, he was the one cheating on me?

Without thinking, fueled by my own rage, I flung open the door. Lucian and Lydia whipped their heads towards me.

“Elena?” Lucian asked. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here?” I snapped at him. “Apparently I’m finding out that my husband and my best friend have been sneaking around behind my back. That’s what I’m doing here.”

"Stop making a scene. If you have something to say, we'll talk at home. Don't embarrass yourself here!" Lucian yells at me impatiently. Normally, I would have crawled to him by now—I feared his reproach. But now, I can't back down.

“So it’s true?” I seethed, marching towards them both. “You’ve been having an affair?” My eyes locked onto Lydia. “You’re carrying his child?”

"Enough, stop going crazy. This has nothing to do with Lydia." Lucian can't wait to shield her behind him. His disgusted gaze sweeps over me, and my whole body trembles.

"Lucian, don't do this to me..." I reached out my hand, begging my husband to change his mind. But he turned a blind eye to me and held Lydia's hand. 

Clearly, they’d been sneaking around for some time. It was written all over their faces.  

“Is this why you lied about the medical report?” I asked Lydia, my face incredulous. “So Lucian would think I was an adulteress and kick me out? You framed me?”

“He never wanted to marry you,” Lydia said, both of them standing up. Lydia slid behind Lucian. “Look at you. Why would he? You were foolish to think a man like Lucian could ever love someone like you. I’m twice the woman you are. He’s made his choice.”

Her words were like slaps to my face. I couldn’t believe this! She was supposed to be my best friend.

My blood boiled. Infuriated by her audacity, and overcome with anger, I lunged for her.

But Lucian caught me mid-lunge and shoved me hard in the chest. Caught off guard, I stumbled backwards a few steps. And then…

Thud.

My body landed on the hard ground.

Lucian marched over to me, menace in his eyes.

Towering over me, he glared.

“You’re despicable,” he hissed. “You disgust me. How dare you barge in here like this and start tossing out accusations? You’re nothing but a cheating whore! Pregnant with a bastard child! And now you’re trying to attack Lydia?

I can’t even stand to look at you. You’re pathetic.”

Looking up at him from the floor, I saw the disdain and hatred in his eyes. His cruel words settled into my heart like thorns. There wasn’t even a glimmer of guilt in his eyes. He didn’t care about me. He never had.

While he glared down at me, the thorns in my heart turned to ice.

And my love for Lucian died, like a withered rose left out too long in the bitter cold.