Behind The Bet

Reyna stood frozen at the bedroom doorpost, tears streaming down her cheeks like a relentless storm. The sky outside was gray and heavy, mirroring the turmoil inside her heart. Unlike the usual days when the weather didn’t faze her, today everything seemed cold and unforgiving, just like the man she loved. Her chest heaved with pain, her heart pounding wildly as a wave of despair crashed over her. Without warning, her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, clutching David’s legs as sobs wracked her body. “What have I done to deserve this?” she cried, her voice breaking. “All I ever did was love you, genuinely deeply, despite your flaws. David, I have feelings too! How can you just bring another woman into our home, so close to our wedding, and expect me to be okay with it? Especially when she’s carrying your child?” David didn’t flinch. With cold indifference, he shoved her hands away and strode toward the bathroom. The warm water from the shower was his refuge, his escape. But Reyna wasn’t done. She stumbled after him, placing a trembling hand on the bathroom door, blocking his path. “David, please don’t shut me out,” she pleaded, her voice cracking with raw emotion. He spun around, eyes blazing with anger. “Have you lost your mind, woman? I thought we settled this long ago. You should thank me that I’m even asking you to keep this child. Out of all the women I could’ve chosen, I picked you. Be grateful.” Reyna swallowed the lump in her throat, fighting to keep her voice steady. “You and who, David? I’m the one carrying your child. Don’t you think I deserve to be considered? I didn’t get pregnant by myself.” David’s laughter echoed through the room, harsh, cruel, and long. For three painful minutes, he mocked her in a chilling imitation of her words: “I have feelings too... I should be considered...” Then, with a shove, he forced her away from the door and slammed it behind him as the shower ran. But Reyna refused to be silenced. Her voice cracked and rose, sharp with fury and desperation. “Why bring a mistress home? Why? It’s her baby or me. Either she aborts, or I’ll make sure her life becomes a living hell.” Her words hung heavy in the steamy air, a promise and a warning, one that would change everything. Fueled by rage and something deeper, something that didn’t even feel human, Reyna stormed into the guest room. Her heart thundered in her chest, but her hands were steady as they grabbed every trace of Nadia in sight. Clothes flew. Jewelry clattered. Bags hit the floor. She tore through the room like a woman possessed. “Never in your miserable life,” she spat, “should you dare get pregnant to a man who has a fiancée. " You silly, shameless woman. Didn’t he tell you he was getting married? Or you know, and you’re just another gold-digging leech like the rest.” Nadia rose from the bed slowly, her swollen belly stretching under the silk nightgown. Her face held no shame, only amusement. “Oh, my poor hormonal sweetheart,” she cooed mockingly, walking closer. “Is he in love with you, or are you just forcing him to put a ring on it?” She grinned wickedly. Because I’ve seen forced love before. It never ends well.” Reyna’s nostrils flared. Her eyes widened with fury. “You dare,” she growled, before delivering a slap so sharp it echoed off the walls. Nadia stumbled backward, gasping, before Reyna shoved her onto the bed, bump and all. “You can’t be stupid and disrespectful at the same time,” Reyna hissed. I’m giving you two days. Trash your bags, your wigs, your fake designer crap whatever suits you. Leave. Or I’ll personally drag you out. ” Before Nadia could respond, they both heard the slow, unhurried footsteps approaching. Nadia’s eyes shifted. A plan sparked. And just as the door creaked open, she let out a sharp cry and collapsed on the bed, clutching her stomach in fake distress. David stood at the doorway. He looked at Nadia, then at Reyna. And with zero emotion in his voice, he muttered, “I won’t be coming home tonight. You two can burn this whole house down for all I care. Just don’t wake the neighbors, or I won’t be this calm next time.” He turned and slammed the door on them both. Reyna kicked Nadia’s bag in frustration, let out a guttural groan, and stormed out. The silence that followed didn’t last long. Nadia sat up, grinning like the devil himself. “She thinks I don’t know she was just a bet,” she chuckled. Poor thing. So in love, so clueless.” Her laugh echoed in the empty room, sharp, cruel, and soaked in venom. Reyna sat slumped in front of her dressing mirror, her reflection barely recognizable. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen from crying, her lips dry, and her spirit worn thin. She stared at herself at the woman who used to believe in love. “I can’t let her destroy everything,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Not my life… and not this child.” Her fingers trembled as they gripped the armrest. “I have to do something… before David comes back tomorrow.” A dark thought slid into her mind, quiet, cold, and terrifying. “If the baby’s gone… she’ll have nothing to hold him with.” The idea didn’t even feel like her own. But the hurt, the betrayal, and the silence had pushed her past the edge of right and wrong. She stood abruptly and headed to the kitchen, her limbs heavy, her heart racing. She cooked slowly, mechanically, like it was just another evening. She made enough food for two, just as expected. When the dishes were set aside, she took the leftover food from the pot and quietly mixed in the crushed pills, her hands moving faster than her conscience could scream. Just then, like clockwork, Nadia strolled in, smirking.