CHAPTER ONE

***Elena’s POV***

“Congratulations, Mrs. Hart. You’re three weeks gone.”

For a moment, I thought I misheard. Me?? Pregnant??!!

“I’m… I'm what?” My voice came out thin, fragile, like it might shatter if I pushed it too hard.

The doctor smiled gently as he slid the report across the desk. “Pregnant. Everything looks normal so far. You just need to rest properly from time to time and do not stress yourself.”

My hands trembled as I grabbed the paper. My eyes skimmed the lines once. Then twice. Then again.

Positive. Yes, positive.

The word stared back at me, bold and undeniable.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my chest tightening as disbelief gave way to something hot and overwhelming. Joy. Relief. Hope. Real, dangerous hope.

“Thank you,” I whispered, already standing, feeling adrenaline rush through me.

I didn’t wait for anything else. I rushed out of the clinic with the report clutched tightly in my hand, my heart racing as if it wanted to outrun my body.

I called for a taxi and headed home. My mind was a total mess.

After three years.

THREE YEARS!!!

Three years of a marriage that felt more like a contract than a union. Three years of whispers, side glances, and unspoken judgments. Three years of being Marcus Hart’s wife in name, but never in truth.

Now, everything would change.

This baby would change everything. This baby is the answer I've always longed for.

“Ma’am…. Ma'am…”

The driver's voice jolted me back to reality.

“We’re here.”

I didn't even realize we've arrived at my destination. I paid him and got off the car. I smiled as I walked towards the house, tears blurring my vision.

I imagined Marcus’s reaction – surprise first, then pride. Maybe even tenderness. Maybe a big hug. Maybe he would finally look at me the way husbands were supposed to look at their wives. For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to believe.

I got into the house, my heels echoing against the marble floors as I headed straight for Marcus’s study. I didn’t even stop to catch my breath.

I knocked once.

No answer.

I knocked again, firmer this time.

Still nothing.

But I could hear voices inside. Low. Intimate. Marcus’s voice unmistakable.

Smiling, I reached for the door handle and pushed it open.

Then...The world stopped.

My breath lodged painfully in my throat as the report slipped from my fingers and fluttered uselessly to the floor.

Marcus was lying naked on the sofa at the center of the room, but… he wasn't alone. My sister, Vivienne was naked too and was right on top of him, riding him like a horse.

They were both drowning in pleasure, Marcus's hands gripping her waist while her head was thrown back, eyes closed.

Casual. Possessive. Intimate.

Tears stung my eyes as I stood there, watching them, unnoticed yet.

Pain ripped through me so fast I nearly collapsed.

I stood frozen, my feet refusing to move, watching them for several seconds yet they didn’t notice me. I watched the way Marcus touched her– the way he never touched me.

My sister. My husband. The two people I trusted most in the world.

I swallowed past the bile rising in my throat.

“What… what is going on?” I whispered.

My voice broke their steamy moment.

Their heads snapped toward me.

Vivienne didn’t even flinch. If anything, her lips curved slightly– clearly amused. They didn't stop. Vivienne increased her momentum and rode violently till they both exploded in pleasure.

Vivienne got off him, his cum slowing dripping down her thighs. Irritation flashed across Marcus's face as he sat up before it settled into something colder. Calculating.

“Elena,” he said. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

The lie landed like an insult. This was the highest level of disrespect and betrayal!

My hands clenched into fists as my entire body shook. “You’re in my house,” I said hoarsely, staring at Vivienne. “With my husband.”

Vivienne stepped away from Marcus leisurely, completely unbothered. She began putting on her dress as though this were an inconvenience rather than a betrayal.

I snapped.

“How could you?” I screamed, the sound tearing out of my chest. “You’re my sister! How could you touch my husband?”

She said nothing.

Marcus moved in front of her protectively. Like I was the villain in their pathetic love story.

That broke something inside me.

My hand flew before I could stop myself, connecting to her face.

Pa!

The slap echoed sharply across the room.

Vivienne’s head snapped to the side. She stared at me in disbelief before her eyes hardened with rage. “Are you insane?” she hissed.

Marcus grabbed my wrist, his grip bruising. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he snarled.

I laughed weakly, hysteria clawing at my throat. “What’s wrong with me? You’re cheating on me with my sister!”

“No,” he snapped. “You’re the one who’s been cheating.”

The words stunned me.

“What?” I whispered.

“With Ethan,” Marcus continued coldly. “Don’t bother denying it. Vivienne told me everything.”

Ethan.

My chest tightened painfully. “That’s a lie,” I said. “I would never—”

“There are witnesses,” Marcus interrupted. “People who saw you together.”

Fear crept up my spine.

Witnesses?

I turned slowly toward Vivienne. She smiled at me… slow, smug, victorious.

“You—” My voice shook. “You set me up.”

She bent down and picked up the paper I had dropped earlier.

My heart stopped.

“Give that back,” I said, reaching for it.

She stepped away and handed it to Marcus instead.

“Woww…Look at this,” she said sweetly. “She’s pregnant.”

What?“ He snatched the report from her, his eyes scanning it. Then he glanced at me. “You whore!“ His hand connected to my face in a sharp and stinging slap.

The slap knocked me to the floor. Pain exploded across my cheek as I hit the marble hard, my side screaming in protest.

Tears streamed down my face as I looked up at his towering form. “I didn’t cheat,” I sobbed. “That baby is yours. You should definitely trust me over this bitch, I'm your wife!”

He didn't say anything; just stood there, chest heaving. But he had an expression that seems like he was contemplating my words.

I continued. “This child is yours. I swear to God.“

“Don't tell me you believe her, Marcus. I saw her messing around with Ethan in his bedroom. She was moaning so loudly, talking about how you've abandoned her,” Vivienne said, her voice sure and steady, looking at me with disdain.

That was when something inside me shattered completely.

Bitch!

Honestly, Marcus has been neglecting me. Our marriage isn't a really rosy one since it was his father who forced him to marry me before he could rise to the position of CEO.

We weren't in love and I know I was the last person he would ever want to marry since I was literally a nobody. But I have loved him since I was twelve —until this very moment.

His late dad had a special likeness for me and I know if he was alive, all these won't be happening.

“Marcus … please.“ I crawl towards him, holding his legs. “Don't listen to Vivienne.“

There was a long, tense silence.

“Fine,” he finally said. “Stand up. We're going to the family doctor, now. A DNA test must be conducted immediately. “

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, my hope renewed. I pushed myself up and nodded frantically. “Yes, please.”

Vivienne’s face darkened before she masked it. “Read my lips Marcus, you’ll regret trusting her”, she said before storming out of the room.

I could hear the pounding of my heart as everything happened so fast— Marcus drove me to the hospital and the DNA test was conducted. The family doctor said the results would be available in the next three days.

I was confined to my room, not allowed to see or speak to anyone except my personal maid who brought food and other necessities to me.

Time was moving slowly. I was on edge. I could not wait for the third day to come. Then, it was the third day, my heart racing with every second that passed. There was a long, tense silence.

I had been faithful.

I knew it.

….but I still couldn’t keep calm

Suddenly the door flung open. Marcus stepped in with the report in his hands, his expression was unreadable. A beat passed before a small smile spread across his face.

I managed a smile too. Finally! He must have known the truth.

I released a breath that I didn't realize I have been holding. Then I took a step forward, my voice trembling. “What does it say?”