Chapter 001
Tahlia's point of view
"Did you and Jaxon break up, Tahlia?" Over the phone, Selene's voice came out too quickly and too loudly. I heard something interesting on the news just now. They claimed that he found his true love.
"What?" Half-laughing, Tahlia blinked. "What are you even saying, Selene?"
"Switch on the news, girl. Now. Simply do it! The line then died.
After a moment of staring at her phone, Tahlia hurried to the living room. She reached for the remote control and switched on the television, barely letting her feet touch the ground. She didn't even need to switch the channel. There was already a headline.
Her heart fell.
Her husband, Jaxon Harrington, was there. on the display. Put an arm around a different female, embracing her. He had a warm, soft face. She used to hope he would give her that kind of look. but didn't.
She staggered back to the sofa.
Tahlia could hardly hear the hum of the news anchor's voice. Images flickered across the screen. Jaxon's hand was on the woman's waist. He smiled at her. She leaned into him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
With a sharp twist of pain cutting through her chest, she thought, "He's never looked at me like that."
“Mr. Harrington, is she the mystery woman you’ve kept out of the spotlight all these years?” yelled a reporter off-screen.
"You both look perfect together," said a second voice. Do you have any unique plans for your anniversary?
Tahlia's fingers gripped the remote control so tightly that it nearly broke. Before another question arose, she shut off the television.
She remained silent as she stood there.
"Perfect couple," she muttered. The words had a bitter taste.
She made her way back to the dining table. Dinner was still unfinished, with candles, two wine glasses, and the aroma of buttered bread and roasted chicken still permeating the room. She touched her belly tenderly while looking down.
She thought, "I was going to tell him today." "I was going to tell him at last."
As if the baby inside could sense the pain, she rubbed her stomach once more. Three years. It had been three long years of waiting, hoping, and trying. She had planned everything and only learned about it last week. a dinner in silence. A toast. The test is in a small gift box.
It all felt pointless now.
Tears were streaming down her face as she fell into the chair. She didn't cry or scream. That was not the case. As if her eyes were simply leaking her heart.
She thought, "I knew it." "I've always known that Mia is the person he truly desires."
Mia. She was his old girlfriend. He never really left his heart, even though he left the country years ago.
Jaxon approached Tahlia after Mia had left. Slowly. With caution. He wed her. However, his eyes remained fixed on her. They never lingered on her for very long.
They managed to make it work, though. In some way.
Right up until tonight.
The front door opened with a click.
Jaxon tossed his keys onto the console as he entered. He had a serene expression. Typical.
He kicked off his shoes and asked, "Why are you still up?"
Tahlia gave him a look. She had a dry mouth.
"I waited."
"For what purpose?"
He hesitated. Then he looked around the room. The table. The wine glasses are present. The candles.
He clenched his jaw.
"Oh... Oh no. I overlooked it. He took a step toward her. I apologize, Tahlia. It's been a crazy day. Work got in the way. Tomorrow, I'll get you something lovely.
She gazed at him, expressionless.
She remarked, "You forgot our anniversary."
He smiled weakly. Indeed. Apologies, sweetie.
She didn't return the smile. As she spoke, her voice broke.
"I watched the news."
Jaxon's expression fell. "What?"
She said, "You were with Mia" today." Of all days.
He rubbed the back of his neck and gazed at the floor.
She just touched down. I had no intention of seeing her. She appeared at the location while I was there. She claimed that her driver was unable to reach her. Thus... I drove her to the hotel.
Tahlia remained silent.
He extended his hand to grasp hers.
"It wasn't what it appeared to be," he stated.
Her chest hurt. Her heart still skipped a beat when he touched her, but now it hurt.
Perhaps there was only a miscommunication. Perhaps.
"I'll compensate you. I promise.
She gave a faint nod. "All right."
She grabbed the tiny zip bag from the drawer next to her. Inside was the pregnancy test.
With a softer tone now, she said, "I have something to tell you." "I am—"
His cell rang. Swiping it open, he held up a finger.
"Hello?"
The voice was audible to Tahlia. Mia was the one. Weeping.
"Jaxon! I'm afraid!
His expression changed in an instant.
"What's the matter?"
"I'm not sure! My room's lights went out, and I can't stop hearing sounds. Would you please come?
Tahlia's mouth hung open a little. She waited. She patiently waited for him to express his inability to proceed. waited for him to remain.
He reached for his keys instead.
"We'll discuss it later."
"Jaxon, hold on!" She grabbed his arm as she ran after him.
He quickly withdrew it.
"At this moment, I don't have time for this."
“Please!” she pleaded. "Don't abandon me this evening. Not this evening.
He declared, "I won't abandon you." "I just want to see how she's doing. She is experiencing fear due to the current blackout. I will return shortly.
She gazed at him as if he had developed a new head.
"Is Mia's fear of the dark the reason you're abandoning me on our anniversary?"
He didn't respond.
simply departed.
The noise was overpowered by the silence that followed as the door slammed behind him.
In the hallway, Tahlia stood motionless.
Her hand, which had been gripping his arm, slowly let go. She curled her fingers into her palm. She was having trouble breathing. One hiccup escaped, then another.
She walked back to the table after turning around. She experienced numbness in her legs.
She gazed at the zip bag as she picked it up. The two pink lines poked fun at her. A tiny plastic strip that contains both joy and pain.
She walked into the bedroom, sat on the bed's edge, and gazed at the wall. Her thoughts were racing.
"He didn't even inquire about my whereabouts today. I didn't inquire about dinner. didn't inquire as to why I appeared to be a complete mess.
Inside her skull, thoughts jiggled.
Perhaps he has already made up his mind. Perhaps he didn't have to.
Tears fell again.
"I'm carrying his child." He abandoned me for another woman.
With one hand on her stomach, she reclined on the bed, still completely clothed.
She whispered to the ceiling, "Don't worry, little one." "I'm still with you."