The door swung open. My entire body froze My breath left my body in a broken, silent gasp.

Noel’s bare back was the first thing I saw—muscles flexing, hips driving forward with a hunger he had never shown me. His hands gripped the thighs of the woman beneath him. Her legs were wrapped tightly around his waist, her head thrown back as she moaned his name.

For a moment, my mind refused to catch up. But then her face tilted toward the light Sarah.

My childhood best friend. My maid of honour when I wedded Noel.

I bit hard my lower lips that I could taste blood.

"What the -" Noel cursed, breathlessly when he saw me.

"Karen," Sarah inhaled sharply, and fumble to cover herself. Noel cheated with no other person in my matrimonial home but my best friend. I can't even imagine it even in my wildest dreams.

" she's pregnant with my child, I have to take responsibility. ," he shrugged as if it's supposed to be enough reason for his cruelty. He pulled up his trousers, and straighten his shirt. His scornful stare met mine, his face showing no sign of guilt.

I remembered how I had worked tirelessly to make today memorable for him. My mind couldn't hold unto what's going on.

Noel, ....tell me this isn't you I croaked, my voice shaking, I reached for him, He stepped back, avoiding my touch.

"Stop being dramatic, Karen," he spat harshly, this marriage ended long ago''

Each word hit me like a blow , My tear-filled eyes scanned through the picture frame of us on the walls , our faces smiling back at me. He wasn’t far from the truth—our marriage had ended a long time ago. I have been the only one trying.

"Sarah, how could you?" My eyes, brimming with tears, met hers.

"How could you treat me this way?" My voice cracked as I cried out.

"You are so mean!" I lunged at her, my fists clenched. Noel's firm grip caught my hand's with a surprise force.

"Don't lay your filthy hands on her," he said in a low warning tone, his fiery green eyes bored on me. "Or you will regret it," he threatened, as he inched closer.

My chest tightened; my eyes caught Sarah's smug look. Her mouth was curled into a smirk of triumph.

"I don’t deserve this from both of you," I sobbed uncontrollably.

"It's not my fault, he wants something you couldn't give", She taunted, running her fingers through his beards.

Her snide remark cut deep into my heart. I recalled when we wedded , she was my maid of honour, I remember vividly how she blabbed about how we had a strong chemistry . Everything was a pretense.

I forced my feet to move, heading toward the door. Noel shoved me out of the room, slamming the door against me.

A sense of dizziness washed over me. I sank to the floor, head in my hands trembling, the weight of betrayal crushing me. How will I face the guests? Tears streamed down my cheeks, I could hear them from the thin wall,

" Why are you invading their privacy?"

I slowly raised my eyes; my mother-in-law looked down at me in full glare.

"Mom?" I gasped wetly, my throat closing up.

Her face split into a wicked grin.

"Silly girl, you must have forgotten whose womb you came out from."

She knew? I shut my eyes, clutching my tender heart.

She moved past me, avoiding our body contact like a plague. She knocked at the door.

"Can you both come out? The guests are waiting for you," she cooed affectionately. Her knock might have perturbed them; after a few minutes, they were at the door, panting, flashing a satisfied smile at each other.

It was like I'm in a trance, I slowly stood up, and walked into the living room like a lifeless zombie, every drop of emotion has been squeezed from me. I move past camera flashlights,

"We're not only celebrating Noel's birthday. It's such an honour to know we're expecting a new member in our family,"

Claudia declared, drawing the words intentionally. Sarah snuggle close to Noel rubbing her tummy and smiling coyly. In the midst of murmurs and applause, my body shook with violent sobs, I have endure pain and humiliation from them but this? It’s brutal.

****

I remember the day I met him, my twenty two years old self was infatuated with him. I came back home after short vacation with my mom, The news of a pending proposal from Noel Miller, the CEO of world's corporation was broken from my father. it wasn't just a marriage proposal , it's a business deal that will seal our union. Initially, I kick against it, I threatened to end up in a body bag if my father persist. Not until Noel Miller visit my family house.

He had a perfect sculpted body that could grace the cover of a magazine, his sharp jawline and the tempting glare of his green eyes held me on chokehold. He was oddly cold and a man of few words. Curiosity awakened inside of me, there's something alluring about his mysterious masculine charms.

Right there, I decided to give it a try, marrying an astute business man, a global figure and an eye delicacy wasn't a bad idea

I was on a secret mission to break the high wall he built around himself. I remolded, contort and bended myself to be the traditional wife he wants. I cling unto the few times he showed affection, occasionally when he won a multi million business deal, the sex? it was always done in a hurry, enough to put his seed in me to have a heir. His family was worst cause they bully me the whole years and called me barren. Four years of pain has finally ended but I feel deep ache in my heart

****************

I woke up to my name trending, the hashtag the jilted wife was all over the internet. whose husband has an affair with her best friend. screenshots of me crying was everywhere, in blogs, gossip channel . The comments were cruel and heartbreaking.

I grabbed a bottle to ease the gnawing ache in my chest . but the thought of the tiny life growing inside of me stopped me. I desperately want the child to live, maybe as a consolation.

I woke up with swollen eyelids and dark circles under my eyes. My phone beeped with notification, a frantic text from Dr. Harrison.

“Please, come to the hospital, it's urgent.”

It's unusual because I can't remember fixing an appointment with him today.

I dragged myself out of bed and strolled to the bathroom to take my bath. My child is still my number one priority. I sat in his air-conditioned office, the smell of antiseptic was heavy in the atmosphere despite the chilly temperature of the room.

"Good day, Karen. Trust you're doing well."

Dr. Harrison, a middle-aged bald man, greeted. I sensed that he was fidgeting with the paper in his hand.

"I'm so sorry to inform you that you're not pregnant. There's was a lab error '',

"What do you mean?" I whispered, my voice breaking.

"It wasn't your test, it's unethical and unacceptable that we acted recklessly I'm sorry for everything""

That was it. I zoned out; his voice fell faintly in the background. I have known pain, but this is different —it went straight to my heart, choking my breath.

My hand clutch my tummy. Nothing is there? Missing my monthly flow, the constant morning nausea, the pregnancy test stripe hidden in my drawer.my doctor's appointment paid and planned for ahead of time—all these were my brain playing tricks on me.