The Marriage Bargain

Emily's POV.

"Congratulations, Mrs Liam," My stomach churned in despair as I feared hearing the doctor's next words, which were pretty obvious now.

 "You are one month pregnant," he finally let the dreadful words out, sending stabs of pain through my already torn heart, slicing it into a million tiny pieces.

Those words, which might sound delightful to other women's ears sounded like a curse in my ears right now. I had steadily endured the early signs because I dreaded hearing those words.

How could I be pregnant for a man like Liam Johnson? 

He was my husband, but undoubtedly my worst nightmare. The sound of his car driving into the mansion or the sound of his footsteps walking into the house always had my heart beating drastically in terror. And when he stared at me, the fury in his eyes was evident. His gaze on me always held nothing but disgust and scorn.

I knew getting married to me was the worst episode of his life but I had held onto the tiniest gleam of hope that he would adjust to it and learn to love me as his lawful wife. But those were mere wishes that never came true.

Liam Johnson is one of the country's most popular and finest businessmen, he graciously soared in his family's multi-billion dollar company but he wanted more. He wanted to own the company. 

Mr Johnson, his father had no problem with that, but he has only one request. 

The company will be officially handed over to him if he agrees to get married, and not just to any lady but the housekeeper's daughter. Myself.

My mom served the Johnsons as their housekeeper for several years and when I grew up, I automatically became their housekeeper as well in a bid to help my aging mother. 

She passed away few years later and to make sure of my wellbeing, they decided to pair me with their first child, Liam. They had taken a liking to me anyway. 

Liam couldn't resist the offer despite his hatred towards me and hence came our spiteful marriage of four years.

I couldn't believe that one night of drunkenness and total mistake could ruin my life this way.  Liam had returned home that night drunk and all over me, leading to a heated lovemaking. 

I thought it meant something, not until he woke up the next morning returning to his usual irritated attitude, and acted like nothing happened. 

"Is everything okay ma'am?" The doctor's voice snapped me out of my chain of thought. It suddenly occurred to me that I haven't said a word to him since he broke the news to me. 

"Uhm... I'm sorry, I got a little bit too excited," I lied, trying so hard to mask my misery behind a wide grin.

"Of course, that's expected," he chuckled. 

"Here's the test result," he passed a wrapped envelope to me.

"Thank you."

"Would you like to enroll in our antenatal care right away, or you'll like to inform Mr Liam first?" My heart did a mighty leap of fright immediately Liam was mentioned.

"My husband must not hear about this, please,"

"Why? It would be less stressful for..."

"I'm hoping to surprise him," I quickly blurted out hastily before I could even analyse my words. Thankfully they came out perfect.

I watched in relief as he relaxed back in his seat with a wide smile on his face. "That's incredible, I'm excited for him already,"

I flashed him a small smile, twitching uncomfortably in my seat. "I have to go now," I quickly stood to my feet.

"Thank you for having me," I stretched forth my hand for a handshake and he gracefully took it.

"It's my pleasure, I look forward to seeing you and Mr Liam again for the antenatal care." 

I nodded frantically and hurried out of the office.

"Hey, is everything okay? What did the doctor say?" Jared quickly rushed towards me.

Jared is Liam's younger brother, and just like their parents, he was good to me. I had called him to drive me to the hospital. Liam would rather stick a spoon into his eyes than take me, anyway. 

"Something about severe headache," I lied. 

As much as I trusted him, I couldn't bring myself to break the news to him, maybe not yet.

"They recommended a lot of rest," I quickly added. 

"Rest? Have you been stressed lately? Does Liam have a hand in this?" He growled angrily.

He was well aware of Liam's resentment towards me. 

"It has nothing to do with Liam, now please take me home," I walked past him and bolted towards the parking lot before he threw any more questions at me. 

**

"Are you sure you are going to be okay?" Jared asked for the umpteenth time as he dropped me off. 

"I'm fine Jared, thank you for driving me," I flashed him a warm smile and he returned it with a bigger one before driving off.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I dragged my heavy legs towards the house, different thoughts haunted my head. 

How do I break the news to Liam? He barely spared me a glance despite living together with me for four years, I was already a huge burden to him, how much more a child coming from me?

I could handle his resentment towards me but not to an innocent child. 

My head clinked like the location of a band conference as I thought of the best possible solution to my situation. 

As much as I've made up my mind to keep the baby, I was scared of the outcome as well. Liam would spit in my face if he learned about the pregnancy. 

What if he denies it and accuses me of infidelity? He might have forgotten the occurrence of his drunk night. 

My heart skipped a beat as my gaze suddenly landed on him immediately I walked into the house. His palms were hurled into a tight fist as he paced to and fro the living room. 

He swiftly turned around once he noticed my movement.

"Where the hell have you been? I called like a million times!" He gritted. 

I quickly raised my gaze to his face, unsure of his sudden interest in my whereabouts. 

"It.. It must have been ringing in my bag, I didn't hear it," I stuttered. 

"Come with me," he muttered, walking past me and headed out.

"Uhm... Where are we going?" I managed to ask.

"The hospital, Nichole needs you," I heard a loud bang in my head as his words hit my ear.

Nichole? The strange lady he's been making me donate my blood to these past few months?