The Undesired Wife and Her Hidden Heir

Maya’s POV

BREAKING NEWS: Carter Davis, Heir to Davis Group, Spotted at St. Agnes Memorial Hospital with Presumed-dead Ex-fiancée, Brooke Miller.

I gaped at the TV, unable to believe my eyes. Accompanying the headline was a video of my husband, Carter, at the hospital entrance.

His arm was wrapped protectively around a woman’s waist, while she leaned weakly against him.

I peered at the TV. It had been three years since I last saw Brooke, but I’d recognize that beautiful, evil face any day, anywhere. It was her!

I sank into the nearest chair, my pulse racing. My worst fear had just come to pass.

Oh, God! Why now? Why did Brooke have to turn up now, just when Carter was starting to reciprocate my feelings?

Outsiders who didn’t know the whole story would say I ought to be relieved. After all, Brooke was my stepsister who had just ‘miraculously come back from the dead.’

But how could I feel anything other than hurt and jealousy when Carter was looking at her with that tender, protective gaze I remembered so well?

He had never looked at me like that in our three years of marriage. With me, he always acted very coldly, like I was a roommate or business colleague, not his wife.

It was only recently he started to laugh at my jokes, take interest in what I was saying, and show me warmth.

But within hours of Brooke’s return, he had started ignoring my calls and messages, and leaving me to be with her on my birthday of all days.

I felt sick to my stomach, but apparently, the day wasn’t done testing me yet because less than two hours later, my stepmother arrived at the house.

“I can see by the expression on your face that you already heard the good news. Have you started packing your things?”

“Packing my things? I don’t understand,” I said in confusion.

“You’re going to return Brooke’s rightful man to her. Their son deserves a loving family.”

“What?! Son? What son?” I asked incredulously, alarm bells going off in my head.

“Oh, you didn’t hear that part? Brooke was pregnant for Carter when she left. She came back with his son. My grandson is Carter’s carbon copy and heir.”

“Oh, God! I can’t believe this,” I whispered, my eyes brimming with tears.

She scowled at me in disgust. “You had better believe it. You didn’t even bother to ask what happened to Brooke all this time. All you care about is a man who can’t stand you. You’ve so pathetic.”

“I know what happened to her and so do you. She left Carter for a richer guy, a move that you endorsed wholeheartedly because her mystery lover was showering you with gifts. If …”

“Shut that gutter you call a mouth, you fool, and no, she didn’t meet a richer guy before she was abducted!” Ashley snapped, looking around furtively. “She was held captive all this time. That’s the story, and we’re sticking with it. By the way, why are you dressed like that just to stay indoors?”

I looked down at my dinner dress. I had bought it specially for today. A fresh wave of sadness and loneliness hit me.

“It’s my birthday today. Carter was supposed to take me for dinner.”

“Hmmm … let me guess … he didn’t inform you that he won't be able to make it, and he’s not answering your calls?”

My cheeks flushed and I looked away, blinking rapidly to clear the tears from my eyes. I didn’t want to let this woman see me cry.

“So he left you on your birthday to be with his true love, who happens to share the same birthday as you. That should show you who is more important to him. The earlier you accept that this is no marriage, the better for you,” she finished, picked up her bag, and left.

She didn’t wish me a ‘happy birthday’ and neither did my father. I was still awake when Carter finally came back home at almost midnight.

He looked exhausted and smelled faintly of hospital antiseptic and expensive perfume.

It was a scent I recognized instantly … Brooke's favorite perfume. He had been with her all day for her scent to cling to him. I fought the urge to retch.

"Maya, you’re still up,” he said.

He didn’t offer an apology for standing me up, and he seemed distant.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I saw the news. Is Brooke alright?" I asked.

“She was rescued from a private compound on the coast. She’ll be fine, but she’ll need therapy. I should never have given up on her so easily after her disappearance.”

“You …”

He cut me off and began pacing agitatedly. “This whole time … she was … I should never have believed you three years ago when you told everyone she ran away to be with another man. She was actually abducted, Maya.”

Tears gathered in my eyes at the accusation in his voice. “Are you saying it’s my fault? I know what I said back then, Carter. I wasn’t lying. She …”

“Stop it, Maya. She’s been suffering all this time. She’s malnourished and traumatized. Also, she wasn't alone."

The lump in my throat grew thicker. "The boy … the news said..."

"Yes. My son … his name is Leo. Brooke was pregnant when she was taken. It was a shock to me as well.”

"I see," I intoned, wondering what this meant for us. "Where is Brooke staying?"

"At the hospital tonight.” He paused, looking a little uncomfortable before he continued speaking. “I'm bringing her and Leo here after they’re discharged."

I stared at him, flabbergasted. “What?! You're bringing your ex-fiancée into our home?"

His eyes narrowed, and his jaw tightened in annoyance. "She’s your sister, Maya, and …”

“Stepsister.”

“Same difference. She has suffered unspeakable trauma for three years. She doesn’t want to stay at the Miller estate. Also, Leo is my child … my blood. The least you can do is show some compassion and make room for them."

I lifted my chin, hurt and anger coursing through me. "I won't accommodate a woman who has made my life hell several times… the same woman who abandoned you at the altar. That would never happen! If she moves in, I leave."

"Come on, don't be dramatic. Aren’t you supposed to be happy that she’s alive? Besides, where would you even go? Back to your father’s house? We both know Ashley would never allow that.”

“Do you still love Brooke? You want her back, don’t you?” I asked angrily.

He scowled. “I’m too tired for this. I’m going to bed. You should too. Goodnight,” he said.

Then he turned on his heel and walked away. I got up on unsteady legs and walked over to the table in the corner of the sitting room.

The official envelope containing my blood test results, which I got yesterday, was still on it.

I had kept my good news to myself, intending to tell Carter about it today, which was both my birthday and Valentine’s Day.

I stared at the bold words: PREGNANCY TEST - POSITIVE, and a broken sob escaped me.