The Price Of Broken Vows

I stared at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test, my hands shaking so badly I almost dropped it. Three months. I'd been hiding this secret for three months, and today of all days, I decided to take another test just to be sure. The timing couldn't be worse. I quickly shoved the test into my purse which had the divorce papers in it and checked my reflection. My face looked pale, and there were dark circles under my eyes that no amount of concealer could hide. I smoothed down my loose blouse, grateful it hid the small bump that had started to show, and headed to Marcus Chen's office. The divorce papers became heavier in my hands as I stood outside Marcus Chen's office building. Three months since he'd thrown them at me. Three months since he'd chosen her over me and our unborn baby. Reed Manufacturing, my father's company, desperately needed this merger with Chen Industries to survive. That's why I was here, representing our interests despite everything that had happened between Marcus and me. "Sophie Reed," the receptionist smiled, though I caught the flash of pity in her eyes. Everyone knew about the divorce. "Mr. Chen is expecting you in Conference Room A." The marble hallway stretched endlessly, each click of my heels echoing memories of happier times when I'd walked these halls as Mrs. Chen. Now I was just another business associate, another meeting on his calendar. The conference room buzzed with conversation that died when I entered. Marcus sat at the head of the table, devastating in his charcoal suit, his dark eyes finding mine for a fraction of a second before dismissing me entirely. Three years of marriage reduced to nothing. "Miss Reed," his voice was arctic. "Please take a seat." Miss Reed. The formal distance cut deeper than any insult could have. I settled beside my father, keeping my breathing steady as the presentation began. For an hour, I managed to focus on spreadsheets and projections, ignoring how my treacherous heart still raced when Marcus spoke. "Let's begin," Marcus said, his voice commanding the room's attention. For the next hour, I kept my eyes on the presentation, ignoring how my heart raced every time he spoke. I was doing fine until she walked in. Natalie Cross. Marcus's first love. The woman he'd left me for. Her red dress hugged her perfect figure as she walked straight to Marcus, placing her hand on his shoulder. The diamond ring on her finger caught the light. The ring that should have been mine. "Sorry I'm late, darling," she purred, her green eyes finding mine with a smirk. My stomach turned. I gripped the edge of the table, willing myself not to react. "No problem," Marcus said softly, his voice gentle in a way it never was with me anymore. The meeting continued but I couldn't focus. Not with her sitting there, playing with Marcus's hair like she owned him. Not with the way he smiled at her. "The merger terms look promising," my father was saying. "Sophie's team has developed an excellent integration strategy." "Indeed," Marcus responded without looking at me. "Though we'll need to review the timeline given current market conditions.” When the meeting finally ended, I was the first to stand. "Sophie, wait," my father called, but I was already heading for the door. “I'll call you on phone, I have an emergency to attend to, daddy.” I lied as I rushed, desperate to disappear from the conference room. My heels clicking rapidly against marble, as I kept moving. I made it to the elevator before a familiar hand caught my wrist. I knew that touch. I’d know it anywhere. Even after everything, his touch still sent electricity through me. "We need to talk," Marcus said, his voice low. I yanked my hand away. "We have nothing to talk about." "The divorce papers. You haven't signed them." I turned to face him, keeping my expression blank. "It's been three months, Sophie." "And whose fault is that?" The words slipped out before I could stop them. His jaw clenched. "Just sign them. Don't you have other important things to move on with?” "Fine. I've been busy," I kept my voice level, though inside I was screaming. "Too busy to sign a few documents? Or are you hoping to drag this out for a better settlement?" The accusation stung. "Not everything is about money, Marcus, get that into your head" I can't remember how that preceded from my mouth. "Isn't it?" His jaw clenched. "Just sign them. Make this easier for everyone.” He yelled. "You mean easier for you to marry her?" "Natalie has nothing to do with…" "Stop." I laughed bitterly. "At least have the decency not to lie. You asked for a divorce two weeks after she came back to town. "Everything is about Natalie!" I snapped, then caught myself. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. "Fine. I've been busy," I kept my voice level, though inside I was screaming. Something flickered in his eyes, guilt? Regret? But it vanished quickly. "Just sign them, Sophie. My lawyer will send new copies tomorrow." I turned to leave but his words stopped me. "You look different." My hand instinctively moved toward my stomach before I caught myself. "Three months of freedom will do that." "Sophie..." "It's Miss Reed to you," I said, echoing his earlier coldness. "After all, I'm just another business associate now, right?" I walked away, my heels echoing in the empty hallway. I made it to the elevator before the tears started falling. Inside, I finally let myself breathe. My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number: "You think you can hide it from him forever? I know about the baby. -N" Natalie. My blood ran cold. How did she know? The elevator doors opened to the parking garage, and there she stood, leaning against my car with a satisfied smile. "Hello, Sophie. We need to have a little chat about that baby you're carrying."