Chapter 2: Cold Morning

Chapter 2: Cold Morning

“Good morning,” Melinda said softly as Stanley walked into the dining room the next morning.

She had woken up early, her body still sore from the night before. But she tried to push the pain away.

She had made breakfast of eggs, toast, and coffee hoping to start their marriage on a better note. Maybe if she was kind to him, he would slowly warm up, she thought.

Stanley barely glanced at her. He sat down at the head of the long table in his expensive black shirt and suit pants, looking as cold as ever. “You don’t have to do this,” he said flatly, picking up the newspaper. “I have maids for cooking.”

Melinda’s hands tightened around the coffee pot. “I know, but I’m your wife now. I want to try and make this work.”

He looked up at her then with his dark eyes almost unreadable. “Make this work?” A small, mocking smile touched his lips. “Don’t fool yourself, Melinda. This is not that kind of marriage, eat your food and stop expecting things from me.”

The words stung, but she forced a small smile and sat down across from him. “I understand. But my mother is doing better already because of you and I want to say thank you for that.”

Stanley took a sip of his coffee and nodded once. “Good! The doctors will keep updating me. As for you, you’re free to move around the house, but don’t go outside without telling my security team and stay away from my office unless I call for you.”

Melinda nodded quietly. She watched him eat in silence. He was so handsome, even when he was being cruel. Tall, strong jaw, and those intense eyes that made her nervous.

Part of her still hoped that maybe one day he would see her as more than just a tool.

After breakfast, Stanley stood up. “I have meetings all day, I'm telling you this so you don’t have to wait for me tonight.”

He started to walk away, but stopped after a few steps and turned back. “One more thing,” he said. “If you’re not pregnant in the next few months, we’ll keep trying even if it calls for every night if necessary. Do you understand?”

Melinda felt her face burn with shame. She looked down at her plate. “Yes… I understand.”

Stanley left without another word.

***

The next few days passed in the same cold pattern. Melinda tried her best to be a good wife. She kept the house nice, even though the maids did most of the work. She visited her mother in the hospital every day, smiling brightly and telling her that everything was fine in her new marriage.

But at night, when Stanley came to her bed, it was always the same. Cold, rough with no words of kindness. He took what he needed and left her lying there alone, feeling empty.

One evening, after another painful night, Melinda sat in the bathroom, staring at the pregnancy test in her hand. Her period was late. Her heart beat fast as she waited for the result.

Two lines appeared.

Tears filled her eyes, but this time they were tears of hope. She touched her stomach gently and whispered, “Maybe this baby will change everything, maybe Stanley will finally care when he knows he’s going to be a father.”

She found him in his study later that night. He was on the phone, talking business. When he ended the call, she stepped inside.

“Stanley… I have something to tell you,” she said, her voice full with nervous excitement.

He raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“I’m pregnant,” she said softly, a small smile breaking on her face. “We’re going to have a baby.”

For a moment, Stanley just stared at her. Then something flickered in his eyes, not happiness, but satisfaction. Like a businessman who had closed a good deal.

“Good,” he said simply. “That was fast” a smile curved through his lips “make sure you take care of yourself and I’ll have the best doctors assigned to you.”

Melinda waited for more, a hug, or any sign that he was happy. But he just turned back to his laptop.

“Is that… all?” she asked, her voice small.

“What else do you want?” he replied without looking up. “You did your part, now go have a rest.”

Melinda felt her hope crack a little, but she held on. ‘He’ll change,’ she told herself. ‘Once the baby comes, he’ll see me differently,’.

***

A week later, Melinda was in the kitchen making tea when she heard voices coming from Stanley’s study. The door was slightly open, she walked closer, wanting to ask him if he wanted dinner.

But what she heard made her freeze.

“…the girl is pregnant already. Good job, Stanley,” a woman’s voice said. It sounded like his mother, Victoria. “She was the perfect choice. Young, healthy, and desperate. Once she gives birth, we take the child and get rid of her. She’s served her purpose as the breeding vessel.”

Stanley’s deep voice replied calmly, “Exactly. I never wanted a wife. I only needed her womb. The sooner she delivers, the sooner we can end this nonsense.”

Melinda’s hand flew to her mouth. The tea cup slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor.