Chapter 1

Briar’s POV

“Congratulations, Mrs. Sterling, you are six weeks pregnant.”

The doctor’s words played repeatedly in my head making my toes curl in excitement. A little burst of giggles kept escaping my lips at each reminder. I knew it was only a matter of time before all that I wanted came to me. Now that it is here, I am going to make it perfect.

“That one looks ugly!” Mum pointed her glistening red nails at the black dress I picked up.

Maybe I shouldn’t have asked for her help. Since she arrived she has only been throwing orders around rather than doing what I called her here for. Some guidance. When I found out about my pregnancy a week ago, I called Adrian immediately to tell him about it. But my calls were constantly answered by his assistant who informed me of his busy schedule. They were on a business trip. I couldn’t bring myself to have her relay the message. It felt too important to have an intermediary deliver it.

So when the idea to prepare a romantic dinner for his return tonight came to me, I called the only person who could help. My mother. I never would have called her if I had a friend. But I had practically lived twenty-two years of my life all by myself because of my social anxiety. And I blame my mother for it. She took all of the shine, and I didn’t dare to bloom next to her.

“What is wrong with the dress?” I inquired.

She rolled her eyes defiantly. “It’s just as I said; ugly! I can’t really fathom your taste. Makes me question if you learned anything from me.” She muttered adjusting her furry jacket. I didn’t bother calculating how much that must have cost her. “You should wear the one I bought instead. And be grateful for it. You would also need to pay me back. That is a costly dress.”

I reached gingerly for the dress in the bag and almost cursed at my fate. It was more of a nightwear than a dress.

“How is this an appropriate dinner dress?” I questioned.

Mum smacked her lips proudly. “That is the right dress to make him fall head over heels for you. There is nothing wrong with topping the pregnancy tonight.” She squealed all of a sudden, startling me. “I can’t believe you are finally having a child for the Sterling family. Our fortune keeps getting better.”

I groaned inwardly at her silliness. Sometimes I wonder who the child is between us.

“I can’t wear this, Mum. Adrian will not like it. There is a chance he might come home with his business associates. I don’t want to do anything that will embarrass him. So help me pick something decent, please.” I insisted

“You are impossible.” She grunted with a huff and finally got up.

While at it, my nose caught a whiff of the turkey burning causing me to hurry out of the room. Thankfully the chef was there to take it out at the last minute. In my bid to make everything special, I insisted on doing it all by myself while the chef pointed out the ingredients to me. I could cook a bit, but I wanted it to feel different this time.

“Thank you, Gibson,” I mumbled, breathing heavily.

“You are welcome, miss. You should go ahead and get ready. I will have the table ready.” He replied with a smile.

I returned to my room to find an armless burgundy silk dress placed on the bed. I didn’t even realize I had something as gorgeous as that. Must be one of mum’s numerous purchases that she stocks in my closet to help me meet up to my husband’s standard. Amidst her excessiveness, I have to thank her for moments like this.

“This is beautiful, mum. Thank you.” I mumbled with a wide smile.

She waved a dismissive hand, “I took a few coins from your purse. I am sure you will get it back tenfold. I will be gone now. Don’t want that snobbish husband of yours to find me here. Bye, honey. Do whatever he asks of you.” She winked, stomping off in her lousy heels.

Sighing, I reached for my purse, and all the cash that was in it was gone. Of course, I should have known better. On normal days, her reaction would have gotten me stressed, but today is a happy one. So I will choose that.

It's been almost a year of marriage to Adrian, even though our circumstances of meeting weren’t exactly on a love note. I still cherish him dearly. My socialite mother had wiggled her way into Sterling construction and somehow squeezed out a marriage proposal to the sole heir which I would have protested against as she had agreed to it without seeking my consent. But since it was Adrian, I loved the idea. He has been my ideal man since I was sixteen.

However, my fairytale didn’t appear so because of his distance. The first time we had sex, I expected lovemaking but it was more duty-bound. He took me with no emotion given back. Even though he is always respectful towards me, we practically live like strangers. Despite learning his entire routine and doing all I can to please him, I always end up seeing his back. His thank yous are muffled. Which is why I think and know for certain that the arrival of our little one, is about to change our love life for the better. I can imagine the happiness on his face.

My heart jumped when I heard his car arrive. The setting is perfect to set the tone of the night.

“Welcome, Adrian. How was your trip?” I asked, grinning shyly.

His cold dark brown eyes stared at me so briefly I almost missed it before he replied grumpily. “Fine.”

“I made dinner, please come sit.” I urged, refusing to back down.

Thankfully, he followed suit and settled to eat. I had placed the test result next to his plate. And for over five minutes of being seated, he didn’t notice it.

I cleared my throat loudly, “Adrian, I have an announcement.” I said, the excitement swelling in my belly again.

He arched his brow in question and I pointed at the envelope next to him. He sighed as if tired and reached for it lazily. When his eyes darted through the content of the paper, my heart drummed against my chest in anticipation. He soon pursed his lips, peering intently at the last line. To my surprise, he folded it back and kept eating.

I gulped hard. “Did you read it?”

“Yeah.” He replied absentmindedly.

“Did you…I mean the result, you understand it right?” When he said nothing, I decided to help further. “I am pregnant, Adrian. We are going to have a baby.” I announced in a high tone.

The silence almost crippled me.

Adrian soon drank a whole glass of water, dabbed at his lips with a napkin, and stood up. “Whatever you need to have a successful delivery, let me know. I am sure you already know that.” He sniffed and walked away like I just told him I was back from the grocery store.

All of the excitement that I had built up came crashing right down and it felt like I had been punched right in my gut.