Chapter 10
It was supposed to be our fifth wedding anniversary. A quiet dinner, maybe roses on the table, and that concert of my favorite band I had been hinting about for weeks. But instead, I stood alone in the middle of a crowded arena.
Colton said he was busy. He always was.N
I bought the concert ticket myself without him knowing.
“It’s childish,” he had said last night while staring at a pile of paperwork, not even bothering to look up. “You’re nearly thirty and pregnant. You shouldn’t be chasing concerts.“}
I smiled weakly, trying to hide the sting in my chest. “It’s our anniversary…”
He simply sighed. “I’ll make it up to you next week.”
But I knew he wouldn’t. So I went alone.
The music pulsed through my body as the lights danced us. For a moment, I was happy. Until the screen above the
stage flickered to life.
s strangers kissed shyly or
The spotlight panned over couples, laughter and cheers erupted dramatically for the camera. Then the camera stopped. On two familiar faces, hugging each other, swaying bodies.
The crowd squealed, calling out, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
They didn’t. They pulled apart awkwardly, their faces full of panic, but it was too late. The screen froze for half a second–just long enough for me to recognize them.”
Beatrice. My best friend. Colton. My husband.\
Beatrice… who once braided my hair before my wedding… who knew every single secret I whispered during who smiled and told me she was so happy to see me finally find a man who loved me.
late–night
S…
And Colton… who swore to never lie to me.
My chest tightened. The air around me turned thick. I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. I clutched anchor myself in the spinning world.”
my
swollen
belly,
trying
to
Just yesterday, I asked Beatrice to come to the concert with me.
A boyfriend I never met. A boyfriend who turned out to be my husband.
“Sorry, Nadie,” she said, faking a regretful smile. “I have a date with my boyfriend.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I couldn’t let them fall. Not here. Not in front of thousands.
I forced myself to walk, pushing past people, out into the cold night. My hands trembled as I hailed a tavi My baby kicked weakly inside me, as if sensing my anguish.”
“Home,” I whispered, voice cracking. “Just take me home.“}
But fate had other plans.
The crash came so suddenly. A blur of headlights, a screech, then blackness.”
When I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital room, surrounded by harsh white lights and machines that beeped steadily. Pain gripped my abdomen like fire.
“The baby…” I whispered.”
Doctors moved around me in urgency. “We need to operate,” one said. “There’s internal bleeding. We may have to-“N
“No,” I cried. “Please, save my baby. Please…”
I fought. Screamed. Then darkness swallowed me whole.
When I woke again, everything felt… still.”
Too still.
My hand instinctively moved to my stomach.
Flat. Empty. I didn’t have to ask.
A soft voice outside the curtain confirmed it anyway.
“She lost the baby,” the doctor whispered.
Then a voice I knew. One that used to bring me comfort. Colton.
“It’s okay, doctor. Honestly… I never cared about that baby anyway.”
My heart stopped.
“I’m just glad it happened now. Saves me the trouble of dealing with it later. She’s not the one I want to build a future with. She’s just a stand–in.“W
The doctor hesitated. “What about her ovaries, sir? You approved the–“#
“Vee Colton said coldly. “I had them removed So what? She’s not even fit to become a mother It would he a good thing that
3/3
Snes just a stand–in. §
The doctor hesitated. “What about her ovaries, sir? You approved the-“}
“Yes,” Colton said coldly. “I had them removed. So, what? She’s not even fit to become a mother. It would be a good thing that she can’t ever carry a child again. I don’t want her child competing with my son with Beatrice… Beatrice is the one I really want to be with.“&
Silence. My heart stopped.
Then Colton’s chilling command: “No one tells her. Ever. I paid for your silence. If a word gets out, I’ll ruin you.“”
Tears rolled down my cheeks. I didn’t make a sound. I couldn’t.
A few minutes later, he stepped inside, wearing that fake mask of concern.
“Nadia,” he said gently, brushing the hair away from my damp forehead. “Baby, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I got caught up with some things at the office.”
I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. I just stared past him, my heart still cracking open from what I’d overheard.”
His phone buzzed. He checked the screen quickly and answered.
“Yes?”
It was loud enough for me to hear the voice on the other end–faint but unmistakable.
Sir,” the butler said breathlessly. “Miss Beatrice just fainted. She collapsed at the estate. The maid says she’s not waking up. You need to come home immediately.”
I didn’t move. Colton’s expression flickered–but only for a moment. Then he turned away 1
could hide the truth.”
“Got it. I’ll be there right away.“”
me, lowering his voice like it
He ended the call, slipped his phone into his pocket, and turned back to me a fake smile.
th
વ્યવસા
“Sorry, something urgent came up at work. Just a quick issue to fix–I’ll be back soon, okay?” He leaned down, pressed a kiss on my forehead like I was too weak, too stupid, too drugged to understand.
But I understood.
He lied. Straight to my face. Even when I knew. Even when I heard.
And still… he left. Just like that.
And I broke. But for just a few seconds.
TH
Then, I grabbed my phone with shaking hands, fingers fumbling over the screen until I found the number I hadn’t called in years.[
It rang once.\
Twice.
Then a voice answered
“Nadia?” my brother said.
I sobbed into the receiver.
“Brother, I’m sorry… Please, take me back home. I’m going to divorce my husband.”
