Billion Dollars Mistake

"Cece, you should understand that I can't allow Amelia to raise my child alone. I have an obligation to my child," Cece couldn't believe these words had come out of Freddie's mouth. "But you told me you weren't ready to raise kids, Freddie," Cece said, looking at Freddie for a definite answer. "Yes, I did, but things have changed," Freddie replied without any trace of wrongdoing. "How can you do this to me, Freddie? This was never your promise to me. You promised to stick with me through thick and thin," she said. "Cece, don't dwell on the past. There are many possibilities for the future," replied Freddie. Three years of Cece's life with Freddie can only be summarized with one word: betrayal. THE UNEXPECTED REVELATION It was April 1st, Freddie's birthday—one of the days Cecelia felt happiest on Earth, as she got to celebrate the man she called her own. On this special day, Cece always went above and beyond to make Freddie's birthday memorable. The band was playing, and everywhere looked glamorous. Freddie stepped into the party wearing a dashing tuxedo. Staring at him, Cece felt incredibly special, thinking herself the luckiest girl to be Freddie's wife. At every turn, her happiness was contagious. As Freddie stepped onto the stage, he signaled for the band to stop for a second. As always, Cece stood beside him, smiling like someone who had just won an award. Freddie handed an envelope he was holding to Cece. "Hold this for a sec, would you?" he said. "Okay, my love," she received the envelope with all enthusiasm. Whenever Cece was beside Freddie, nothing else mattered; that was the most exciting feeling for her. "Would you step down from the podium, Cece?" he unexpectedly asked. This request seemed strange and somewhat unsettling to Cece, but she still answered his request with grace and elegance. "Thank you, thank you," Freddie began, addressing the crowd. "Seeing you all here is the most valuable gift you could give me. I know for sure I am surrounded by amazing people." Tonight, Freddie continued, "I have an important person to introduce to you all, someone who holds a special place in my heart, the one I will always cherish and adore. The reason I wake up with a smile, the reason I fall asleep with a heart full of love, the fire that fuels my desire." As Cece listened to Freddie's heartfelt words, her excitement grew, fully believing she was the one he was referring to. Freddie continued, "She is the rhythm that makes my heart sing, the melody that fills my soul, and the harmony that makes my life complete." At this point, most of the people at the party also believed there was none other than Cece he was talking about. "Everyone, please put your hands together for the sunshine that lights up my world," Freddie echoed. Just as Cece prepared to step onto the podium, he called a name that none of his guests had ever heard of. "Amelia Carmichael," he announced. The entire party fell silent, and all eyes turned to Cece to gauge her reaction. As Amelia made her way to the stage, Cece ran up to meet Freddie. "Freddie, what are you doing?" she asked. "Who is she?" followed quickly. Freddie looked at her and replied, "She is Amelia, like I said, and as to what I am doing, I am introducing the most important person in my life to everyone.” Cece gulped; this had to be a joke. "Freddie, come on, I am the most important person in your life. This joke has gone too far." "Well, you used to be the most important person in my life, but she is more important than you now," Freddie said to Cece. "Can you please step down?" he asked again, with disdain. Cece reluctantly stepped down from the podium, waiting for Freddie to reveal his joke. Like a gentleman, Freddie assisted Amelia onto the stage. "This is Amelia Carmichael, soon to be Mrs. Sterling," Freddie announced. This statement shocked the party guests within just five minutes. The guests began to murmur among themselves, aware that he had a wife and her name was Cece. Cece, like the rest of the party guests, was full of unanswered questions. She kept looking at Freddie's face, but to Freddie, it was as if she wasn't there. "Okay, okay, let me explain," Freddie said. "You see, I was raised by my mom alone. I know how stressful that was for her, having a child grow up without a father figure. I have made a promise to myself that I will never be like my father." To Cece, all this sounded like gibberish. "I have decided to make Amelia my wife for two special reasons," Freddie continued. "First, I love her so much." Hearing this felt like lightning striking Cece's brain cells, sending tingling sensations through her mind. "And the second reason," Freddie added, "is this: she is carrying my child.” The whole party looked on in great surprise. Cece's world, previously full of excitement, was now engulfed in gloominess. How could the man she loved so much, the man who had promised to love her until the end of days, make such a shocking announcement? She had stood by Freddie even when none of his family would. It had never once crossed Cece's mind that Freddie would do this to her. She had placed enormous faith in their love for each other. Cece loved Freddie to the point where she genuinely chose him over her family. Cece's parents had never supported their marriage due to their social gap, but without hesitation, she had picked Freddie over her parents' warnings. As soon as Freddie finished stating the second reason, Cece could no longer bear the pain in her mind. She rushed to the podium. "Please, I'm begging you, tell me that all of this is a joke," Cece solemnly begged Freddie.