Chapter 1

Hazel Coleman

“I approved the contract, darling.” Dad's voice echoed from the other end.

I held my phone tightly to my ear, eyes glued to the two red dots on the test strip in my other hand, and a smile crept up my face.

I had just found out that I was pregnant, and now, my husband just got the biggest contract that would change his career for the rest of his life… With my help.

“Oh, my God! Thank you so much, dad. I knew I could count on you.”

“Not that I had a choice, anyway.”

I chuckled.

“I'm returning home with Liam soon. I want to introduce him to you officially.”

Silence reigned in the other end.

“Dad—”

“Are you sure he's the right man for you, darling? You know I'm all about your happiness.”

I rolled my eyes. Are we seriously having this conversation again? I don't know why, but dad had always been skeptical about Liam.

“It's been three years, dad…”

“Fine! I'll be looking forward to seeing you, darling. Take care of yourself.”

Then the call ended with a beep.

A smile crept up my face as my eyes wandered to our wedding picture hanging on the wall in our bedroom.

Liam’s business had just hit rock bottom when we met three years ago.

I stood by him while disguising myself as a poor helpless girl, and behind the scene, I was there, helping his company, getting him contracts, and making sure that he got back on his feet.

I'm glad I believed in him.

With my inside bubbling with excitement, I dialled Liam's number, my heart raced as I waited patiently for him to take the call… but after seconds, the call stopped ringing.

“Why is he not taking his call?” I muttered. “Maybe he is still busy.”

‘Honey! Congratulations on your contract. Come home early today. I have a surprise for you’.

With one last glance at the test strip, I pulled out the bedside drawer table and carefully laid it inside, then headed to the kitchen to make his favourite meal.

*****

My eyes swept over the dining table. Everything has been set perfectly.

Tonight, I'm going to reveal my identity to him… that I wasn't a poor girl like I made him believe five years ago.

I knew it would hurt that I kept such a thing from him, but it would be worth it in the end… Because he genuinely loves me, and he would be especially happy that he is going to be a father.

My gaze dropped to my body, and I let out a sigh. I was still cladded in a casual short gown.

“I should change into something else.” And with that, I turned to go to the room.

I hadn't left the dining area when my phone rang, and I paused.

Dad? Why is he calling me again?

I reached for the phone, stared at it for at least five seconds, then answered the call.

“Dad?”

“Hazel… What the hell am I seeing on insta?”

My brows knitted together, confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Did you and Liam get divorced?”

I blinked. “What are you talking about, dad?”

“Liam is all over another woman on Insta!”

I froze.

For a moment, I stared blankly at nothing, trying to process what I just heard.

My lips parted, but no words came out. Just air.

“Are you there, Hazel?”

“Wh…what are you saying?” I laughed dryly, my heart racing. “That's not possible. That must be a misunderstanding. It could be someone who looks like Liam.”

Right! It wasn't Liam. My husband would never do such a thing.

“Hazel…” I ended the call, not waiting for another word from him.

For a moment, I stood on the same spot, as if my legs had grown roots to the ground. My heart thumped heavily in my chest, my legs shaking beneath me.

“No… Don't believe that, Hazel. That is a misunderstanding.” I told myself again, tightening my fingers beside me.

No! I won't check Insta. I trust my husband. Liam loves me. He would never hurt me like that.

Then a voice screamed in my head. ‘What if it's true?’

My lips trembled, hands shaky as I lifted my phone to my eye, and with my heart pounding against my ribcage, I turned on my data connection.

As if it had been waiting desperately, notifications poured in.

Emilia_hughes tagged you to a post she shared. Click to see more’.

My brows knitted together as that name rang a bell in my head… Emilia Hughes was Liam's first love and his current secretary.

I hesitantly clicked on the post, and my breath caught as a picture of Emilia and Liam popped on my screen, with the caption, ‘A sweet moment with my best man, Liam Dutton. Don't we look good together?’

I scoffed, my chest burned with anger, but I tried to compose myself.

‘It’s nothing, Hazel. They're not doing anything inappropriate’

I told myself before scrolling down, but the next video I saw had my jaw dropping to the ground.

A video of Liam and Emilia in the club, along with his two best friends, having a nice time.

‘You two look so good together, Liam. I bet you'd never married Hazel if Emilia didn't leave the country, right?’ One of his friends said.

Liam chuckled, placing an arm around Emilia’s waist as he pulled her close and said, “I've always loved Emilia. I've never loved any other woman like I loved her… Guys, you know it's always difficult to forget one's first love… Especially if she's this beautiful.”

I felt a pang in my chest, my breath stuttered.

“Are you saying Hazel is not as beautiful as Emilia is?” His friend asked again, but I didn't wait to listen to his reply. I'd gotten the answer I wanted.

I whimpered, my lips trembling.

He'd sworn everything was in their past… that he no longer had feelings for her… He told me she was nothing more than just a secretary… And here they are, hands tangled, her head on his shoulder as they smiled like they were lovers.

What a way to celebrate the contract I'd helped him get… In another woman's arms. What a way to surprise me on the day I found out that I'm carrying our child.

Then my phone pinged with a text from Liam.

‘Emilia caught the flu. I need to stay by her side. You should go to bed without me. I'll come home tomorrow’

A bitter laughter tore through my throat.

After everything. Years of sacrifices… the struggles of getting him to where he is now, and this is what I get in return? Betrayal?

Just fucking do whatever you want!

My legs weakened, and I crashed on the chair in the dining area, my eyes still glued to my phone.

Maybe I should've listened to my dad.

I heard the entrance door open, and the next second, Liam's mom walked in, her eyes burning with rage.

She had never liked me since I got married to Liam. She'd always told me to my face that she never would. She’d always wanted her son to marry a rich woman instead.

Her face wrinkled as her eyes swept over the dining table, then she scoffed. “Do you know anything else other than being in the kitchen? God! You are so useless. Liam should divorce you and marry Emilia already.”

I scoffed silently. Useless? I fucking gave him everything he has today, and now I'm suddenly useless? Because he feels like another woman is better than me?

But I said nothing. I stood quietly and headed to my room.

That bastard! He's going to pay for this betrayal!