CHAPTER-1
“Congratulations, you’re pregnant!”
The words echoed in Ruth Nakamura’s mind, drowning out everything else. She sat at the edge of the bed, absently tracing the edge of the crisp white envelope in her hands. Her heart was a whirlwind of emotions—joy, disbelief, nervous excitement.
Frank shrugged off his jacket across the room, his fingers working the buttons of his shirt with familiar ease. His toned chest caught the dim glow of the bedside lamp, and Ruth felt her cheeks warm. Three years of marriage, yet moments like this still made her heart race.
"What's on your mind?" he asked, his deep voice snapping her from her thoughts.
She hesitated, her fingers tightening on the report, but before she could answer he turned toward the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the room as he disappeared into the shower.
She let out a slow sigh, then drew out the test report. She had gone to the hospital that afternoon, thinking it was only another stomach ache. But the doctor gave her news she had been waiting for—praying for—for three years.
She was going to be a mother.
A bright smile overspread her face as she pressed the paper to her chest. This was the moment she had dreamed of, pictured in her mind the joy of holding their child, the warmth of a family finally complete. She couldn't wait to tell Frank. How would he react? Surprise? Happiness? Would he finally see her as more than just the woman by his side in secrecy?
They had never had a public marriage. To the outside world, she was only his secretary. And yet, in the dark corners, she loved him, cherished every hope of change someday.
The bathroom door flung open, and Frank came out with the towel around his waist. Ruth's heartbeat quickened; this was the moment.
"Frank, I have something to tell you," she said with firm fingers holding onto the paper.
An arched brow as he ran his hand through damp hair. "Oh? What is it?"
She would have opened her mouth, with excitement bubbling up-
His phone started ringing.
Frank's countenance darkened at the profile on the screen as he headed out to the balcony, taking the call with hushed tones. Ruth felt her stomach tighten. It wasn't far past midnight. Whoever it was.
Seconds stretched into minutes. Through the glass door, she watched his posture stiffen. His jaw clenched. Whatever the caller said, it had shaken him.
“I’ll be there,” he said curtly before ending the call.
Her heart sank as he moved with urgency, swapping the towel for clothes in hurried motions.
“Wait, Frank, it’s late—” she started, reaching for him.
“Something came up,” he cut in, already heading for the door.
She stood frozen, the words on the tip of her tongue, but before she could say another word, he was gone.
The silence in the room was deafening. The warmth of her joy had turned cold with emptiness. This wasn't new. No matter how much she longed for his attention, something-or someone-always seemed to come first.
Hours ticked by, none of them yielding to sleep for her. When her phone rang, she reached for it, hoping it to be Frank. Instead, it was her best friend, Bianca.
"Hey, Ruth. Are you… in a wheelchair now?" Bianca's puzzled voice came through the line.
Ruth frowned. "What? No. Why would you ask that?"
"I just saw someone who looks like Frank. He was pushing a woman in a wheelchair into some fancy restaurant."
Her grip on the phone tightened. "A woman?"
"I might be wrong," Bianca quickly tacked on. "Just thought it looked like him."
The call disconnected, but unease curled in Ruth's chest. Just then, a news notification popped up on her screen.
[Famous Jewelry Designer Ivy Williams Returns, Accompanied by a Mysterious Male Friend.]
Her breath caught. The article didn't carry his name, but the blurred picture accompanying it was enough. She knew that silhouette, that man.
Frank.
She scrolled down the comments, her heart racing against her ribs.
"Miss Williams is still so classy, even on a wheelchair! And her fiancé - wow, so handsome and rich!"
"Is she launching a new collection? Can't wait!"
"Who's the guy? Getting married soon?
A close-up photo appeared at the bottom. There was no mistaking it now. The man at Ivy Williams' side—the one the world saw as her devoted partner—was Frank.
Pain sliced through Ruth's chest. He had left her, his wife, without a second thought. Not for business. Not for an emergency.
But for his first love.
