He Betrayed Me.

Selene

My bag slipped from my hands.

Not gently. Not slowly.

It shattered against the marble floor, the sound sharp and ugly, echoing through the office. 

My purse spilled open, my lipstick rolling towards the desk where my husband of five years sat with another woman on his lap.

I didn't move. It seemed like my body had forgotten how to.

The sound startled them. Xavier’s head whipped towards me, his face draining of all colour.

He scrambled away from her. For a second, I saw something shudder across his face—shame, maybe panic. But then he paused mid-rise. He took a glance at me and sat back. A worrying sense of calm over him. 

I stepped forward, about to speak when I finally saw the lady who was hidden behind his arms now visible.

Aurora.

No! It couldn't be.

My pulse stutters. No, not her.

Aurora steps into view fully, all red satin and smug nostalgia, her hair loose and flowing like she's in a perfume commercial. Her perfume fills the air like poison. Invasive and suffocating.

She was his first love. The one thing I had pretended wasn't a threat.

My eyes widened as the realisation hit me—he had never gotten over her. I ran my hand through my hair banging with thoughts, I turned towards Xavier, about to speak when his words from before rang in my head. ‘I’ll love no one else expect you or her.”

I stumbled backwards, the words hitting me like a ton of bricks. I had thought it was just a mistake. He'd always chosen her first. I just didn't want to admit it.

I opened my mouth to speak, to scream, to demand an explanation of what in heaven's name is going on here, but the words tangled in my throat, heavy and useless. Xavier had always loved her more than me, I saw it but I pushed it down. Why did I think he would stand up for me now?

Xavier opened his mouth to speak but I raised a hand, signalling it was of no use. I turned away before I could fall apart in front of them. Before I gave them that satisfaction.

The office blurred around me as I pushed past staring faces. His assistant wouldn't meet my eyes, and the others suddenly found their computers fascinating.

They'd known

All of them.

My hands slipped on the handle of my car, my shaking body unable to get a hold on it. I took in a deep breath, trying yet again and this time it worked. Mustering up the last amount of strength in me, I put in my car key and drove off. I couldn't stay here another minute. 

My hands gripped tighter onto the steering wheel, so hard that my knuckles turned white. Aurora's face flashed in my head and I banged my hand hard on the steering wheel, making the driver next to me flinch.

 I pulled over before I killed someone, resting my forehead against the wheel as my breathing turned ragged. 

Why now? 

Xavier's betrayal played over and over again in my head and the only ones I could go to for comfort had rejected me. 

My hands rested protectively around my still flat belly.

There was nothing to feel yet. Nothing to prove it was real, but the weight of it pressed me down still.

This could change everything, and this could ruin everything too.

What kind of mother ties her baby to a man that just chose another woman without hesitation?

I should call the clinic. Make an appointment and end this before it becomes real.

The thought came so easily and it terrified me.

***

My hands stayed tightly clamped together. I raised my head slowly to check the time and I felt my heart skip a beat as I saw the time—2AM.

I had sat here for hours already, was he really not coming back? Had she gotten so much to him that he wouldn't even give me a chance?

I ran my hand through my hair,staring hard at the door like I was expecting some miracle to happen and it really did. 

I heard a click from the door and I immediately rose to my feet and forced a smile on my face. I adjusted the food slightly, trying to make it seem more attractive. 

“You're back." I said, careful to keep my voice light and unbothered. He was startled to see me there but I only smiled, stepping forward. 

“I made you some food. Have a shower and come down to eat." I said, completely pushing out the memory of his infidelity but Xavier didn't hide his emotions.

He stared at me with a brow raised before he finally shook his head. “No, thank you. I'm not hungry." 

He turned, trying to head upstairs but I stood in front of him, my hands spread out to stop him from moving further.

“Okay, but I would love to discuss something with you." I said, my smile not wavering but seeing my face, he didn't retract with his head lowered but rather he shook his head.

"I didn't want to do this yet but…” he paused, returning the bag he had just dropped and pulling out some set of files. 

“Let's get divorced." He said, the papers stretched out to me. I lowered my head, reading the words written in bold ink—DIVORCE AGREEMENT.

I froze, my hands hung in the air as I tried to process his actions. He had not only not given me an apology but he wanted a divorce?

He chose her. I turned my head mechanically towards him, my lips shaking as I spoke. "You wouldn't even give me a chance?” 

I covered my lips immediately as I heard the words that fell out but looking up, Xavier stared at me without even an ounce of guilt in his eyes. 

“You said you loved me." I screamed, his empty expression finally breaking me. "You promised me forever but now you can't wait to leave? You couldn't even try to save us?”

I asked but I still couldn't stir any emotions in him. He shook his head slowly before speaking. "I lied to you. I'm sorry. I can never love anyone else but her.”

The room spun slightly. My vision blurred immediately and I felt my knees go weak. I fell to the floor.

"Just sign the papers. You will receive a good compensation.” “you can take all the estate I own if that would make you feel better”

Rage surged through me, sharp and overwhelmi

ng.

I heard his retreating footsteps and without another thought, I blurted it out. “I'm pregnant."