Chapter 3 Because of Pregnancy
1204 Words
"That's because I have my own career, and people all over the world are expecting it. And... the traitor from the Garcia family has already started targeting Brad. If I stayed, wouldn't I just distract him?" Emily looked at Brad, flustered. Even she had a guilty conscience? But Brad probably didn't care that she'd left before. He was just glad to have her back with him.
She didn't need to explain herself. All she had to do was speak, and Brad would immediately drop to his knees and propose again.
"That's all in the past, Emily," Brad interrupted.
But Emily, sensing her excuse was too thin, took a deep breath. "And you've always said I didn't have to give up my career to be with you. But what about you? Who even knows if you're Brad's wife or his maid?"
'Good question,' I thought, bitterly.
"Shut up, Emily," Brad snapped.
Was he defending me?
Could he really feel guilty?
"No matter what my status is, I don't have to serve you," I bit back, quickly fixing my hair and clothes as I stood, then grabbed the divorce papers from the bedside table, and threw them at her.
Emily, seeing the papers, eagerly hooked her arm around Brad's. "So, you two are getting divorced because of me?"
I looked at Brad, waiting for his reaction.
As expected, Brad snatched the divorce papers back from Emily.
So desperate, Brad.
I spoke, "Feel free to check if you really need to. I've already signed them."
Brad's eyes shifted between me and Emily. His expression was a mix of confusion and hesitation, like he was wrestling with something inside. He picked up the papers but didn't open them right away. Instead, he sighed deeply and looked at me.
"You should be thanking me," I said, lifting my chin. The pain in my stomach made my expression twist, and I realized I was probably bleeding. I needed to get to the hospital. "I'm leaving cleanly, no strings attached."
"I've made sure to include a large sum of money and some property in the agreement," Brad said, unable to grasp the depth of my frustration. "Isn't that enough?"
I held back the tears, forcing myself to respond, "You'll never understand what I've lost."
"Love?" Brad shook his head. "We never had that."
I wanted to slap him, but then I remembered—the baby inside me was a secret. And now, it seemed like there was no way to prove any of it.
"Well, thanks for the money and... the house," I said slowly, walking up to him and giving him a strained smile.
"If you're not satisfied, we can talk," Brad said. "But let's not tell my mother just yet."
"Of course, you just need her to know—that's enough," I bit back my tears. "Have a nice night."
"What are you talking about?" Brad grabbed my arm. "Am I really that shameless in your eyes? Our marriage isn't even officially over, and you're already accusing me like that?"
"Oh, right. You'll never make Ms. Emily Lynn a third party." I tried to pull away from his grip but failed. I couldn't stop thinking back to the first time Brad had held my hand, calling my name with so much love, "Emily."
"Lily, enough." Brad frowned. "This isn't about Emily."
"Let go, you liar," I screamed.
"Liar? Me? How dare you?" Brad shot back coldly.
I hadn't expected him to bring up the real reason behind our marriage, especially in front of Emily, to expose me as a fraud, telling me I was nothing but an imposter while presenting myself as his Emily.
Brad knew exactly where to hit me. I couldn't even tell whether the pain in my chest or my stomach hurt more. Everything was blurry, but I could still see Brad clearly. I'd learned about money and status already, so why was I still failing this test?
Emily seemed confused by our argument, but she understood it was about her. She knew she'd won, but how could I let her feel so secure?
I would leave, but I wouldn't let her just waltz in here like it was her right.
I smirked, tilting my head and looking at Emily. "When Brad went blind, you were off overseas, enjoying applause and admiration. Meanwhile, I was here, spending every dark night with him. Think carefully about whether you really deserve to live here."
Emily's voice turned sharp and panicked when she realized what I was implying. "Deserve? You—an imposter, a shameful thief—have the nerve to say that?"
Thief—such a perfect summary.
I smiled at Emily's flustered reaction. "Imposter or thief—call it whatever you want. But at least I was the one by his side when he needed someone."
To my surprise, Brad spoke up, "You don't need to leave right now. We can talk."
"I don't need to," I said, rejecting him.
Brad didn't argue. I should probably thank him for having some conscience, letting me play the savior role in front of Emily.
But the prince didn't fall for the mermaid. The prince stayed with the princess, even if she had done nothing.
My heart had gone from burning to numb. As they watched, I gathered my things, only to realize how little of it actually belonged to me.
I came in one way, and I would leave the same way.
Emily leaned against the wall of my bedroom, impatient. "Are you done yet? Don't waste my time. How much could your things be worth? I'll give you the money. Just go already!"
I only grabbed the dark blanket I'd wrapped myself in and gave Brad one last look. "I'm leaving."
"Do you have somewhere to go?" Brad asked.
"That's none of your business," I replied, refusing to guess whether Brad actually cared about me or if he was just trying to show Emily a bit of decency.
I wanted to storm out, push past Brad, and head downstairs, but my low blood sugar and the pain in my stomach made me stumble. Brad quickly steadied me.
Such a warm embrace. I looked up at Brad's face, wishing he had been there just a moment earlier, so he could feel our baby for the last time.
Emily looked at us, almost leaning on each other, annoyed. "Brad, are we going to keep her for dinner, or what?"
The maid, watching from the doorway, quickly reminded us, "Mrs. Garcia, it's getting late, and you haven't eaten anything. Maybe you should eat something before you go."
Emily glared at the maid, and the maid quickly scurried out of the way.
"You've been sleeping in a lot lately," Brad said.
Hmm, he noticed? I thought he never cared that I always made breakfast for him before he left, but recently, I'd been running out of time. Of course, he never had the patience to wait.
"Lazy enough to skip meals?" Brad continued.
Now he was scolding me.
"You should at least learn to eat on a schedule," he added.
Who cared about his concern? My anger still burned as I said, "Do you know why I'm like this? Because I'm pregnant."
- Writer
