The next morning, I thought things would change, that last night I was just paranoid. But the cold truth was right in front of me. My hands trembled, but that didn't change the two pink lines on the pregnancy test.
Could it be?
I took another pregnancy test with my trembling hand that I could barely hold. But it also had two pink lines on it.
I could see my chest movement change. My vision blurring. Could there be a mistake? Maybe a fault in the pregnancy tests I used?
I was too scared and was thinking about it too much that two pink lines appeared. Just maybe.
I hurriedly turned my head into the bathroom. But nothing came out even though I felt nauseous. Signs of pregnancy.
I rubbed my hand around my stomach unconsciously. Maybe it wasn't that bad.
Then another truth hit me.
How did I forget?
My life was a mess now. Ethan was no longer with me. The father of my baby was no longer married to me. He left me for another.
Frustrated, I took the picture of me and Ethan and slammed it to the floor. I didn't need anything from him. Anything that reminded me of what came of my Ethan.
The good and loving man I once knew was gone now. Ave, was the snake in our marriage.
This child would forever tie me to Ethan. Whether I liked it or not. It was another cold truth I needed to accept. But maybe not just yet.
I finally gathered enough energy and took a show, as if it would wash away all the drama in my life. The heartbreak, the cheating, the betrayal. And now the child that was growing inside me.
After I finished I rushed out and an hour later, I was at Nataly's place.
"Hey," she said as she opened the door for me.
I just handed her the pregnancy tests and walked to take a seat on one of the couches.
She followed me and I could feel her eyes dancing over me. I could feel the judgement, the concern, the questions.
For a long moment she was silent, waiting. Gasping. Opening her mouth but no words coming out.
"How?" She finally let out.
"A few nights ago, Ethan came home drunk. Kind of. I don't know what happened to him and Ave. But he made love to me for the first time in a way. Like he used to. I could help but accept. I wanted it just as much," I explained. Hoping to answer her question.
Before Ave came along a year ago, everything was fine. Ethan was loving and caring. Helping with work and anything I asked for. We did all the nice things, cooking together, watching together, kissing, talking, making love. Name it.
He was the richest man I married and everyone kept saying I was lucky. Even though I went to work, which most people said was stupid if I was married to one of the billionaires in New York. I believed in independence and Ethan supported me with that. Hell, he helped me get the job where I worked.
But all that was gone now. Everything in a fleeting moment.
And here I was. Pregnant and alone.
"So, this is his?" She asked, walking to sit next to me.
"Of course it is," I said, turning to look at her. "Nataly what am I going to do?" I asked, hoping for an answer that will change the fate of my life.
She was silent for a while. Then she sighed and said. "This is his baby too. He doesn't get to live happily ever after with her while you go through this alone." She wrapped a hand around my shoulders and I just rested my head on hers.
There was silence for a while. "I can't let him use this baby against me just like he has used everything around me. I can't go anywhere because everyone will be looking at me in a bad way. Everything thinks I married him for his man. He made sure of that when he posted his engagement to Ave."
Again there was silence. "So what are we going to do?"
I couldn't answer her. I didn't know what to do as well. I just found out I was pregnant this morning and just a day after my divorce to the father of my baby.
I couldn't tell Ethan. At least not now.
Afterwards, we talked for a while. Not about my pregnancy and how messed up my life was. But about anything else. Bags, clothes and what not. She even mentioned something about going to get baby clothes. That she will love my child and she will be the best auntie.
"I have to go to work. I will see you later," I said and took my bag.
"Please take my advice. You need that rest. Your boss loves you and would understand," she explained.
"I need a distraction. I will see you later tonight, okay?" I said and walked out of the house, straight into my SUV and drove off.
I reached work and just as I thought, everyone was looking at me like food that they didn't order. I just walked into my office and began digging into the paperwork. Doing anything I could to keep my mind from thinking about my life.
My phone rang and snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Morning, Mr. Mulenga," I said, trying to sound more excited to be at work.
"Can I see you in the office, Claire?"
"Sure. I will be there in a few minutes."
He hung up.
I sighed and walked to his office. But something about this call didn't sound right. He sounded serious. And nothing better comes out of that.
I knocked and he allowed me in.
"Good morning, you can take a seat," he gestured to the chair opposite him. "So I wanted to talk to you about the promotion we talked about."
I could feel my breath escaping my lungs. What now?
"I know you have proven to be right for this position. But, after… after what happens between you and Ethan. I think you need a breath. To rest. Maybe see someone to get in the right headspace," he smiled for a good measure.
But I took offense in everything he said.
I smiled as well. "Sir, as you said, I have proven to be the right candidate for the position of a manager. I have put in the hours and I have never given you a reason to complain. I know what happened and I don't want to think about it. And I would never allow that to affect my work space," I explained.
I needed this job. Not just for me now, but for the child that was growing inside me.
"Please try to understand where I'm coming from—"
"With all due respect sir, I think you are being a bit unfair. Just give me a chance please."
He was silent for a while as he examined me. "Alright. I will let you know by the end of this week," he said and gestured for me to leave after his phone rang.
Before I could close the door, I heard it.
The words that stubbed my heart more than having to sign those damn divorce papers.
"It's done, Mr. Ethan. Just like you wanted to."
Not only was he trying to ruin my life as a married woman. Not only did he turn everyone against me. But he was also taking my job. And of course he would. He was one of the biggest investors in the damn coffee company.
As I slammed the door to my office I screamed.
Took my phone and called.
"We need to talk."