"I'm sorry ma'am, but the result is the same. You are not pregnant." The doctor clasped both hands on the table, his voice soft. He stared at the woman whose face fell at his words.
Aurora had left her house with high hopes, confident that this fifth test would be positive. She leaned forward, her gaze filled with pain, "Are you sure? I don't mind taking another test." Aurora said, trying to mask her pain with hope.
"There is no need for another test Mrs. Adams. The result will be the same."
"But I have these symptoms. I feel dizzy, the nausea and morning sickness can't all be wrong." Even her breast was beginning to look bigger. Weren't all these signs that she was pregnant?
"About that." The doctor began, then paused, and pushed his rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Those are normal. Sometimes when the heart wants something, the body starts to believe its presence."
Aurora's eyes lingered on the frame of the doctor and his child, probably five or six years old, longing for a child of her own. She bit on her lower lip, wondering what she was doing wrong.
She needed a child.
It has been two years since she got married to Liam and his mother has not forgotten to remind her that she is not a woman yet because she is barren. Although Liam tried to brush aside his mother's words, Aurora knew he supported her.
Aurora stepped out of the office and inhaled sharply, the smell of antiseptic and bleach rushed into her nostrils. The hallway blurred from unshed tears she refused to let spill.
The pregnancy test results had been part of the surprise she wished she could give Liam as a gift for their anniversary later today.
Walking down the hallway, she heard the receptionist speaking to the nurse at the reception, "This is her fifth visit in two months. I've never seen anyone who wants pregnancy as much as she does." She didn't pretend to whisper, her voice was loud enough for Aurora to hear.
"Why wouldn't she? Can't you see how fat and ugly she looks, at least with a child, she can have a secure place in her husband's life."
Aurora ignored their remarks. She was used to hearing demeaning comments about herself and her body. Everyone judged her before they knew her.
Aurora had not always been chubby. When she married Liam two years ago, she looked thin and curvy, and her body was always compared to supermodels.
However, after her wedding to Liam, everything changed. She kept gaining weight which was caused by the contraceptive she took. Although she stopped taking those pills a year ago, she never returned to the way she used to look. She had tried working out, but couldn't keep up with it.
Aurora tried not to care about what people said about her body as long as Liam loved her. Liam may at times leave mean comments about her body. She comforted herself with the idea that he didn't mean it and would always let it slide.
She sat behind the steering wheel and closed her door, wondering when it became a crime for a chubby woman to want children.
She was about to ignite the engine when her phone rang, she smiled, her dimples popping in both cheeks.
"Hey! I was just about to call you." She said excitedly. A call from Liam was enough to melt her worries.
She had planned to call him when she got home to remind him of their anniversary knowing that Liam had a high tendency to always forget things, including things as important as their wedding anniversary.
"Did you sign the papers?" He asked. Last night, he gave her a stack of paper, which he claimed were some documents from his company shares she had to sign. She had been so busy getting some editing done in Jenny's next book. She didn't have the time to read them.
Jenny was her best friend and, as her editor cum book agent, she always had work to do. "Yes. I sent them over to your office earlier." This was the fifth time he was calling to remind her. She had signed it earlier without reading it.
"Okay. I haven't gotten them though."
"You will get them soon." She said and then added, "Will you be returning early, the anniver-"
"I'm busy right now. Can we talk about it later?"
"Yes, enjoy your d-" the line beeped. Aurora removed the phone from her ear and sighed. She hated it when he did this. But she couldn't blame him, he was busy.
Aurora spent the rest of the day making plans for the anniversary. Today marks five years of love and two years of marriage. This journey was definitely worth celebrating.
As Aurora walked to the door, she caught sight of her reflection and stopped in front of the mirror. She had chosen a flared dress to hide her stomach, since Liam didn't like seeing it.
Satisfied with her looks, she stepped out of the door and shut it behind her.
***
Two hours later.
Ray Rain Five-star hotel.
Aurora's eyes swept over the rooftop one last time. She made a reservation for this spot two months ago and had overseen the arrangements and decorations to make sure everything was according to what Liam wanted.
Warm light cast a glow on a small round table with white satin spread across it. White rose petals were scattered across the floor. On the table were two candles, a heart-shaped cake and two bottles of wine.
The view was perfect, overlooking the calm city.
Aurora wiped her hand on her dress, smoothing the invisible lines on it. She tugged on the sleeve of her dress. Her hand pressed against the fabric which was too tight for comfort.
She looked over at the entrance, wondering why Liam wasn't here yet. He was supposed to have arrived an hour ago. Liam was never punctual but tonight should be different.
After waiting for an hour and still no sign of him, she dialled his number, but it was unreachable. She tried it again twice and was met with the same response.
Five minutes later, her phone beeped. At first, she thought it was a message from Liam, but when she opened the message to reveal its content, she froze in her seat.
Her eyes widened and her hands began to tremble. She had been tagged for a post. Not just any post, but a post announcing her divorce.
Liam Adams announced his divorce to his wife, Aurora, declaring he is officially single again.
Aurora stood pushing the chair back. She never signed any divorce papers. It was their anniversary, so why would an article like this be circulating? Was this a prank?
Different questions roamed in her mind as she read the article. Her heels clicked sharply on the tilted ground as she rushed out, her eyes still on her phone. She almost bumped into a waiter.
"I'm so sorry." She apologised, grateful the drinks didn't spill.
Aurora felt her heart slam against her chest as the black Mercedes sped across the highway. She called his assistant and he informed her that Liam was not in the office. He was at home.
Immediately she killed the engine, Aurora alighted and hurried into the house. The sitting room was empty. She kicked off her heels and ran up the stairs.
Her feet slowed when she got close to her door. Her door was left ajar. Liam was inside. She was about to push the
door open and step in when she heard Liam speak.
"I finally got rid of that fat pig."