Shattered Joy

Lucy stared at the pregnancy test results in her hand, her heart overflowing with pure joy. After ten long years of marriage, she was finally going to have her own baby. Tears of happiness streamed down her face as she exited the doctor’s office.

“What does the result say?” Ashley, her closest friend, approached quickly. “Oh God, stop crying. Let’s stay hopeful for next time.”

Lucy laughed through her tears at her friend’s attempt to console her. She held up the report, her eyes brimming. “Take a look.”

Ashley snatched the papers and scanned them. Her curious expression slowly transformed into pure delight. “Oh my God!” she screamed. “You’re pregnant!”

She threw her arms around Lucy, and the two women bounced around the hospital corridor in celebration. A nurse soon approached, politely reminding them they were disturbing the peace. Ashley laughed and dragged Lucy outside. They stood in front of the hospital entrance, reading the words on the paper over and over again.

“I can’t believe this, Ashley. I’m pregnant. I’m finally pregnant,” Lucy cried happily.

“Yes, you are! And I’m going to be a godmother.”

They laughed together for several minutes, soaking in the joy. Eventually, Lucy headed home while Ashley returned inside to pick up her five-year-old daughter, Mira, who had sprained her ankle.

As Ashley passed through the pediatrics department, she froze mid-step.

There, standing beside a woman, was Marcus — Lucy’s husband. The most shocking part was that Marcus was cradling a newborn baby in his arms. Jaycee, Lucy’s stepson, whom Ashley immediately recognized, was holding the woman’s hand. Before they could turn and spot her, Ashley quickly ducked behind a corner and hid.

“Dad? Where are we going now?” Jaycee’s voice echoed down the hall. “I don’t want to go home and see Lucy. Her wrinkled face irritates me all the time.”

“Jaycee, don’t say that. She’s your mom, remember?” a sweet female voice replied.

Ashley recognized it instantly — Clara. Marcus’s high school sweetheart, the one who had broken up with him when his family went bankrupt.

“No, she’s not. I don’t even like her. I want you to be my mom. You treat me better than she does.”

“She’s just disciplining you, sweetheart.”

“No, she doesn’t. She doesn’t let me eat ice cream, she doesn’t allow me enough sleep, and she won’t even let me play video games.”

“Stop throwing tantrums, JC. Let’s take your baby sister home.”

Ashley stepped out of her hiding spot just in time to watch them leave the corridor. Her mind raced. Why was Marcus carrying a baby? And why had Jaycee called the infant his sister? Hands shaking, she pulled out her phone and dialed Lucy.

“Ashley, why are you calling? Have you reached home yet? How’s Mira’s leg?” Lucy’s cheerful voice came through.

“No, I’m still at the hospital.”

“Okay… Is everything alright?”

“I just…” Ashley’s voice faltered. She wasn’t sure how to break the news.

“Ash? Are you still there?”

“Uhm, yes. Have you broken the news to Marcus and Jaycee yet?” she asked instead.

“No, they’re not back yet. They went on their father-son vacation.”

“Oh, okay.” Ashley decided not to say anything for now. “Take care of yourself, especially now that you’re going to be a mother.”

She heard Lucy’s happy sigh. “I will. I can’t wait to tell Marcus and Jaycee. They’re going to be so happy.”

“I hope so,” Ashley mumbled.

“What?”

“Nothing. I have to go get Mira now.”

After ending the call, Ashley stood frozen, her mind swirling. Clara was back, and Lucy had no idea. She didn’t know her husband and son had been spending time with Clara under the guise of a father-son vacation. And whose baby was that?

---

Lucy moved around the kitchen humming happily as she prepared dinner for her husband and son. Marcus had called earlier to say they would be home today and that he had big news to share. Lucy had excitedly replied that she also had wonderful news for them.

She arranged the dishes on a tray and carefully carried everything to the dining table. After glancing at the wall clock, she returned to the kitchen for the desserts, then hurried upstairs to freshen up.

She slipped into her favorite white flared dress, the one with delicate pearls along the neckline. Before heading downstairs, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hands instinctively rose to her forehead, smoothing out the faint wrinkles. Jaycee had always complained about them, saying they disgusted him and that he didn’t like having a “wrinkly old woman” as a stepmother.

After one final check of her appearance, Lucy grabbed the pregnancy report and descended the stairs. As she entered the living room, she heard a car pulling into the villa. She stood in the center of the room, clutching the paper tightly, her heart racing with anticipation.

Jaycee entered first, pushing a stroller. Lucy blinked in confusion. Had they somehow already found out about her pregnancy?

“JC, how did you—”

Her words died when she heard the sharp click of heels on the marble floor. A stunning woman walked into the living room. Lucy’s first thought was how gorgeous she looked — until recognition hit her like a slap. The woman looked exactly like her ex-best friend… and Marcus’s ex-lover, Clara.

Another wave of shock crashed over her as Marcus followed, a baby nestled in his arms.

“M-Marcus…” Lucy’s voice trembled. “Whose baby is that?”