Chapter 3.2
1169 Words
Morning had already arrived when Elijah finally returned home. The first thing he noticed was the beautiful arrangement in their living room—the soft candlelight, the carefully set table, the delicate wine glasses—and there sat Scarlett, perched at the far end, her gaze distant, lost in thought.
“What are you doing?” Elijah asked, breaking the silence. Scarlett looked blankly at him, her expression unreadable. He furrowed his brow as he examined the spread of food and wine before him, confusion flickering across his face.
“Don’t you remember what date it was yesterday?” Scarlett asked softly. Her words hung in the air, and Elijah’s brow furrowed even deeper. He tilted his head, trying to recall what occasion could have slipped his mind.
“What’s wrong with you? You look like you lost a bet. You want to have a dinner date now? And yet you haven’t said a word,” Elijah remarked, a trace of bitterness in his voice. Scarlett’s lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile.
“You remembered Camila’s birthday but forgot our wedding anniversary?” Elijah rubbed the back of his neck, frustration evident in the gesture.
“I’m sorry. I admit I forgot, and I went to Camila’s birthday. Please, don’t be mad. Let’s just celebrate now,” Elijah said softly, his voice gentle as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. Scarlett’s expression remained blank, unreadable, but despite herself, she felt her resolve weakening, melting at the warmth and tenderness of his embrace.
“Where do you want to go? Just tell me. I’ll make it up to you,” Elijah murmured. Scarlett let out a deep sigh, trying to steady herself.
Then Elijah’s gaze fell on the ultrasound sitting atop the table. His expression shifted instantly from playfulness to seriousness. He straightened and picked it up, staring at the tiny image in disbelief.
“I waited for you last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary… and to tell you that I’m pregnant,” Scarlett said, her voice steady but tinged with anticipation. Elijah swallowed hard, his hand instinctively reaching up to brush her cheek, stunned by the revelation. He hadn’t expected this—certainly not now.
Words failed him. He didn’t know what to say, what to feel. This wasn’t what he wanted to hear, not what he had planned. Scarlett straightened, meeting his gaze head-on, determined to confront him with the life growing inside her.
“Aren’t you happy?” she asked, a tentative smile on her lips.
Elijah laughed nervously, running a hand over his face. “I’m not… it’s just a surprise,” he admitted, trying to mask the whirlwind of emotions inside him.
“I’ll just take a shower,” Scarlett said lightly, excusing herself as she left the living room. But Elijah’s hand brushed through her hair in irritation before she left.
“Why now? I was planning to divorce her… and now she’s pregnant?” he muttered under his breath. Frustration surged through him as he stormed into the bathroom in their living room and turned on the shower, letting the hot water pound down in an attempt to wash away the chaos of his thoughts. How could he go through with his plan when Scarlett was carrying his child? In anger, he punched the wall.
“Damn it!” he groaned.
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After work, Elijah went straight to Camila’s condo. No sooner had he arrived than he kissed her passionately, the excitement in him evident. Camila giggled, reveling in the intensity of his desire.
When their encounter ended, Elijah sat staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. No matter how much he tried to push it aside, Scarlett’s pregnancy clung to his mind like a shadow. Camila leaned on her side, using her arm as a pillow to face him.
“You seem deep in thought. Something wrong?” she asked gently.
Elijah exhaled heavily and stood, dressing quietly. Camila remained seated, her concern evident. “What’s happened? Why do you look so troubled? I’m right here.”
“Scarlett’s pregnant,” he said quietly, his words clipped. Camila froze, unprepared for the revelation.
“Why did you even… sleep with her? How are you going to divorce her now?” Camila demanded, her voice tinged with frustration.
Elijah rubbed his face, tension etched in every line. “I don’t know. It’s infuriating! She wasn’t supposed to get pregnant… she could use the child against me.”
Camila sighed but couldn’t hide her own irritation, teeth gritted at the injustice of the situation. “If you don’t want her pregnancy to continue, why not slip something in her water?” she suggested sharply.
Elijah looked at her, speechless. Camila’s brow furrowed, her frustration growing. “Don’t tell me… you want a child too?” she asked, her voice tight with emotion. Elijah simply exhaled in silence, unable to respond, leaving Camila muttering to herself in frustration.
Rising, she gathered her clothes and dressed. “How long am I supposed to wait, Elijah? How long will you make me your secret? I don’t deserve this. Being a mistress isn’t meant for me. How long will you keep me as your… f**k buddy? If you won’t act, I will,” she declared angrily, leaving the room with finality.
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Meanwhile, Scarlett was indulging in her cravings, savoring each bite. A sense of joy swelled in her chest. Perhaps this was the beginning of a change in her relationship with Elijah. She ran her hand over her lower abdomen, her excitement growing at the thought of the child she had longed for. For five years, she had dreamed of this moment.
She nearly finished an entire kilo of mango, purchased by their maid, when Elijah finally appeared. Scarlett beamed brightly.
“Hi, love,” Scarlett greeted cheerfully. Elijah glanced at what she was eating, and the pungent smell of fermented shrimp made him instinctively cover his nose.
“What are you eating? It stinks,” he complained.
“It’s my craving, and it’s delicious. Try it,” Scarlett offered, holding out a slice of mango to him. But Elijah shoved her gently, causing her a brief sting of hurt.
“It’s your fault,” he scolded sharply. “Don’t sit next to me smelling like that. And don’t forget my mother’s birthday celebration tomorrow. The chairman wants to see you. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even bring you.”
Scarlett’s heart sank at his words. She had never forgotten her mother-in-law’s birthdays, attending every year without fail—but why now, why this sharp tone, as though she were unwelcome?
“The chairman wants to see me? If so, he's gone home.” Scarlett muttered, confusion knitting her brows. She watched Elijah head toward their bedroom, his anger inexplicably burning hot. Didn’t he feel joy that they were expecting a child?
“Maybe he’s just tired,” Scarlett reasoned softly to herself, a faint attempt to calm her racing thoughts.
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