Roses and Ruins

Serena's Pov

"Okay, I'll have it ready for you by the end of the week, Mrs Whitmore. We'll schedule a proper sit-down to go over the terms."

"That's fine. Thank you Mr Lawrence."

I hung up.

For a moment I just stood there on the pavement, phone still warm in my palm. A woman pushed past me with a stroller without so much as an apology and I didn't even react and just watched her go.

“Mrs Whitmore.”

Three years I'd carried that name, wore it like something precious. Serena Whitmore. It had felt like an upgrade once, though God knows it was that too. To be chosen by a man like Damien Holt and have the whole world know it.

Now it tasted bitter in my mouth like something I needed to spit out.

I started walking again.

**********

A day before:

I was over the moon when I saw the pregnancy test turn out positive. I didn't believe it at first. After thirty minutes of being in the washroom and clutching my belly, I dressed up and visited the hospital. 

“Congratulations, you're three weeks pregnant” the moment those words slipped out of the doctor's mouth. My mouth hung low as tears flooded in my eyes.

Finally, finally Damien. Our wait is over. The doctor threw a glance at me , worried drawn all over his face.

“Are you okay, miss ?” She asked, concerned.

I sniffed and took a deep breath before I responded without being able to hold my tears.

“I'm fine… it's just— I'm just happy” I mumbled in between sobs.

“Thank you so much for the news.”

“Well, I guess that took a turn,” she joked.

I laughed a bit and wiped the tears.

Damien will be so happy. We have tried for a baby for three years.

Our last three pregnancies ended as a miscarriage and that broke Damien. He was quiet and wasn't as lively as I had known him. I took the report and happily left the hospital thinking of ways to disclose this to Damien.

“Baby, we're having a baby” 

“Is it a boy”

“Am I going to be a father ?” 

Those were the words that popped up in my imagination on how he'd react. I thought so.

Unfortunately, not everything goes as planned and not everyone is lucky.

I took a turn at the bakery right opposite the Cafe next to the hospital and bought a cake ready to celebrate tonight. Not in a grand way but the best for just the two of us.

In less than forty-five minutes, I was at the entrance of our flat. I took some cash out of my bag and gave it to the driver asking him to keep the change.

“Thanks Miss.” 

I nodded in approval and left for the main door.

I slipped my keys inside the hole and saw it was a bit odd because it was already open. Might be Damien, I've always asked to keep the door closed. One of the days he forgets.

I shook my head at the thought of seeing my childish husband becoming a father.

I went straight to the kitchen and set the cake on the counter and headed straight to wash up in my room.

I was still smiling when I heard it.

A voice from down the hall. A woman's hush and urgent voice.

I stilled.

Damien's office door was closed but not latched. His voice reached me, low and careful.

"You need to lower your voice."

"Don't tell me to lower my voice."

I stood there holding the dish towel, my first thought embarrassingly ordinary. Had he brought a colleague home?

"This is yours, Damien. You know it is."

The dish towel went still in my hands.

"I can't—" He exhaled. "This is not something we can just—"

"Why? Because of her?"

I set the dish towel down slowly.

"Rose."

“I'm keeping it Damien.” The lady, Rose said. “I can't let sit and watch her have you all to herself” 

Wait, who's her? What are they talking about?. My hands froze midway when I decided to check it out. 

Damien's next words hit me so hard.“Rose, I can't be the father of your child. I love you but it won't happen. You're my sister!”

My body went still, my feet stuck and my brain unable to process what was happening. 

Damien, my husband of three years who said he didn't mind waiting for years. And that he'll love me alone even if i couldn't bore him a child, is having a child ? And with no other Rose but Rose Whitmore, his adopted sister.

My heart hammered in my chest as I crouched on the wall.

“By adoption Damien. Cut that crap off.” Rose's voice cut his words short. 

“You still won't have my child. That's… that is—”

“It is not like your wife has successfully produced a child for you.”

I stumbled a bit clutching my belly. I felt nauseous and disgusted.

“Look at me Rose—”

My eyes widened when I saw the softness in Damien's eyes as he held Rose's head and wiped the tears that slipped on her face

“—I love you “ 

My hands shivered and tears in my eyes. To say I was shocked will be an understatement. Damien has never looked at me that way to proclaim his love for me.

“Why can't I be the one to love you. Why does she necessarily have the right to be the only one to love you.”

She continued. “She can die for all I care, I'll have this baby. As a symbol of our shared love.”

“She doesn't need to know, Damien. I'll keep our baby a secret. From her, and from the world.”

“Don't cry Rose, I'll be there for us—”

I turned and left them. There was no point in hearing the rest. I already had everything I needed.

I clutched my belly as I went back to my room pretending everything never happened. 

My baby. Our baby.

I had waited to rectify everything that happened in the past year and was ready to do anything to make Damien happy again. I guess it was too late.

I stood in front of my mirror and looked at the woman staring back at me. With a deep heart, I decided it was over. I was done trying. I was done being the one to put effort.

“Damien, I will never forgive you. Not today, not anytime”