When love turns to ashes

You’re pregnant, Mrs. June Williams. Congratulations!”

June Williams sat in the small, cozy office of Dr. Langston, her obstetrician, her heart pounding in disbelief. The words rang in her ears, over and over again, like the melody of a long-awaited song. Pregnant. She placed a hand on her stomach, her lips trembling as a wide smile spread across her face. After years of hoping, praying, and silently yearning, her dream had finally come true.

Tears of joy welled in her eyes, and she could barely hold her excitement. Finally, she thought, this baby would complete her family. It would bring a new chapter to her and Larry’s love story, the love story that had defied all odds.

June walked out of the doctor’s office in a daze of happiness, replaying every milestone of her life with Larry. They had built so much together—from nothing, really. She had met Larry Williams when he was a nobody, a passionate young man with little to his name but an idea, a dream, and the kind of charisma that could move mountains. He had been her first love, her only love, and she had given up everything to be with him.

Her parents had hated the idea from the start. She could still hear her father’s words from years ago, the disappointment laced with anger:

"I didn’t spend all that money on your education so you could end up with a lowlife as a husband."

“Daddy,” she had pleaded, standing in his vast study surrounded by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, “Larry isn’t a lowlife. He’s smart, ambitious, and kind. He has a vision, and together, we can build something great.”

Her father, Arthur Blackwell, had slammed a hand on his mahogany desk. “June, you are my only child. The company needs you now more than ever. I’m getting old, and I can no longer manage the affairs of Blackwell Industries. You’re the heir. You have a duty to this family and this legacy. But if you insist on being with that boy and abandoning everything your mother and I worked for, then you’re disowned.”

It had been the hardest decision of her life. Her father’s harsh ultimatum had left her heartbroken, but she had chosen Larry. How could she not? She had believed in him when no one else did. Together, they had taken his little startup tech company, running it from a tiny garage, and turned it into a tech empire with branches all over the country.

For years, she had been proud of what they’d accomplished. She had used every bit of her business skills and experience—skills her father had drilled into her growing up—to help Larry’s dream become a reality. She handled the finances, the marketing, the hiring. Every late night, every sleepless hour, every sacrifice had been worth it. She could still remember the day they opened their first office downtown, the sense of triumph in Larry’s eyes as he held her hand.

And now, this baby was going to be the icing on the cake of their beautiful love story. For the first time in years, June felt truly at peace. Her father had been wrong to call Larry a lowlife. Together, they had proven everyone wrong. They had built an empire—and a life.

June could hardly wait to share the news with Larry. She picked up her phone and began typing, her hands shaking with excitement.

"Babe, I’ve got news for you!"

She hit send, smiling at the thought of Larry’s reaction. He had always wanted kids, but between their growing business and the stresses of life, they had put it off for years. This child would be the perfect addition to their family, and she couldn’t wait to see the joy on his face.

Moments later, her phone buzzed. Larry had responded quickly, which was unusual. He was often caught up in meetings and back-to-back calls.

"I’ve got news for you too," his message read.

June’s smile grew wider. She pictured him sitting in his sleek office, probably working on yet another groundbreaking tech innovation. What could his news be? She imagined it was another contract signed, another investor reeled in. The thought filled her with pride.

She texted back. “Mine’s huge! I’ll come to your office, and we’ll talk in person!”

There was a pause before his reply came. “Actually, let’s meet at home tonight. I’ll explain everything then.”

June frowned slightly. Larry’s tone seemed…off. Normally, he would have called her right away if something big was happening. She pushed the thought aside. Maybe he just wanted the moment to be special, like she did.

The rest of the day passed in a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation. June stopped by a boutique to pick up a small gift a pair of baby booties she planned to use to break the news to Larry. As she drove home, her mind swirled with visions of their future: a nursery filled with pastel colors, their baby’s first steps, Larry beaming as he held their child for the first time.

When she arrived home, she lit a few candles and set the table for dinner, wanting the atmosphere to be perfect. She rehearsed her words in her head, trying to decide how to tell him. Should she hand him the booties first? Or wait until they were halfway through dinner?

The sound of the front door opening pulled her out of her thoughts. “Larry?” she called out, her voice filled with excitement.

He walked in, but something about his expression stopped her in her tracks. His usual confidence was gone, replaced by a strange mix of tension and unease.

“Babe,” she began, stepping toward him. “I’ve been waiting all day to tell you”

“June,” he interrupted, his tone clipped. “Let’s sit down. We need to talk.”

Her heart skipped a beat. Something wasn’t right. “What’s wrong?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Larry avoided her gaze as he sank into the couch, running a hand through his hair. “My news,” he said finally, his voice heavy. “It’s…big. And it’s going to change everything.”

June clutched the baby booties in her hands, her excitement slowly giving way to a gnawing sense of dread. She sat down across from him, bracing herself for whatever was coming next.

“Just tell me,” she whispered.

Larry looked at her, guilt flickering in his eyes. “I think we need to take a break.”

June felt the air leave her lungs. “A break?”

“I’ve been seeing someone else,” he admitted, the words slicing through her like a blade. “And…I think I love her.”