I'D RATHER BURN IN HELL THAN LOVE YOU AGAIN.

CHAPTER 2: "I'M PREGNANT"

RIA POV.

I got home and found him in the living room. His mother sat beside him. Her hands were crossed over her chest like she had been waiting for me. Adrian barely looked at me when I stepped inside. His eyes ran over me once, quick and careless. He didn’t notice how pale I was. Didn’t notice the way my hands trembled as I held my bag.

Instead, he started questioning me. “Where did you go?” his voice was cold. “Mom said you were pretending to be sick again to get my attention.” The words hit me harder than they should have.

Pretending. I felt something twist inside my chest. I cut him short before he could continue. “I am sorry. It was childish of me,” I muttered.

For a second, he paused. His face was unreadable. Or maybe I had just stopped trying to understand him a long time ago. “Where did you go? You were supposed to cook,” his mother, Natalie, spoke up sharply. Her eyes moved over me with clear displeasure.

Like my presence alone was already a problem. “Today is our anniversary,” I mumbled quietly. “I just need to rest.” I didn’t wait for their reaction. I walked past them toward the stairs. Behind me, I heard Natalie inhale, like she was about to say something else.

“Mom,” Adrian’s voice stopped her. “I’m going to work,” he said calmly. “I will reserve a restaurant. Happy anniversary.” The words sounded plain. Empty. Like he was saying them out of obligation. Not because he meant them. “You look pale. You should rest,” he added.

I didn’t answer. I just kept walking upstairs. Each step felt heavy. My hand slowly moved to my stomach. The doctor’s words echoed again in my head. “You’re pregnant.” My fingers trembled slightly. Should I tell him about the baby?

The thought came suddenly. Does he even deserve to know? My chest tightened. What if I die? The doctor had said the pregnancy would be dangerous. My body was already weak. The bleeding hadn’t fully stopped. If things got worse. My hand pressed gently against my stomach.

A baby. His baby. Our baby. Would he care? Or would he look at me the same way he always did, like I was nothing more than an inconvenience in his life? I sat on the edge of the bed slowly. Maybe I shouldn’t tell him. Maybe it would be easier if he never knew.

But another thought followed immediately.

If something happens to me. If I die. Wouldn’t my child deserve to be acknowledged? My throat tightened. I closed my eyes for a moment.

Tonight. I will tell him tonight.

That evening, Adrian’s secretary came to the house. She handed me a box politely. “Mr. Vale asked me to give this to you.”

Inside was a dress. A simple black dress. Elegant. Expensive. I stared at it for a long moment before changing.I put it on and then did my makeup.

Covering the paleness and the exhaustion in my eyes. When I finished, the mirror showed a version of me that almost looked normal. Almost. I picked up my bag and left the house. The car ride felt longer than usual. My hand rested on my stomach the entire time.

Should I tell him immediately? Or wait until dinner was over? What if he gets angry? What if he says he doesn’t want it? What if he tells me to get rid of it? My chest tightened again.

I forced myself to breathe. No matter what happens tonight. He deserves to know. And this child deserves to exist. The car finally stopped. “We’re here, madam,” the driver said. I stepped out slowly. Then I froze.

My stomach twisted violently. This wasn’t my favorite restaurant. It wasn’t Adrian’s either. I knew this place. Very well. This was Evelyn’s favorite restaurant.

The place Adrian once mentioned casually during a phone call. The place he said he used to take Evelyn to. Where they shared memories. Where Evelyn loved the private room with the soft red lights. Even the seat number. He once said Evelyn always asked for the same one. I stood outside the restaurant entrance, staring at the building. The same place he once told me about. The place he used to take her. The place where they made memories.

My fingers slowly tightened around my bag. So this is where he chose to bring me. My stomach turned again. I suddenly wasn’t sure if the baby inside me should ever know a father like him.

I sat down. I waited. One hour. Two hours. He didn’t come. My phone buzzed. I looked down. A video. Evelyn tagged it. I tapped it. It was Adrian. In a park. With her. They were laughing.

He looked relaxed. Happy. Like nothing was wrong. Like I didn’t exist. The caption read: “That special someone that is always there.” My fingers tightened around my phone.

Around me, people started whispering. At first, I ignored it. Then it got louder. “Isn’t that her?” “She’s the wife, right?” “Why is she here alone?” “She should just step back.” “She’s in the way.”. “She’s forcing herself into something that’s already over.”

I didn’t look at them. I didn’t say anything. I just sat there. And waited. Four hours. Then I stood up and left.

When I got home, Adrian was coming down the stairs. He froze when he saw me. His eyes dropped to my dress. His face went pale. He forgot. “I” he started.

I cut him off. “It’s fine,” I said calmly. “Evelyn probably had an episode. You were just cheering her up.” He looked at me, surprised.

“I understand.” I walked past him and went upstairs.

That night, I woke up. It was 2 a.m. He was getting dressed. He turned when he noticed I was awake. “I can explain." I turned away and closed my eyes. I didn’t stop him. I heard the door close.

The next morning, I woke up early. I went to the kitchen and cooked. My phone kept ringing. Dr. Marcus. Again and again. I didn’t pick up. I couldn’t.

When I served the food, his mother tasted it and frowned. “This is bland.” “I will register for culinary school,” I said. She looked at me, confused. I didn’t explain. I kept serving.

Adrian sat down. Just as I placed his plate in front of him, his phone rang. Evelyn. I saw the name. He quickly tried to hide it. “Maybe it’s an emergency,” I said. He looked at me again.

Then he stood up and walked away to answer the call. Later, I came downstairs. The house was quiet. His mother was gone.

Before I could think, Adrian barged into the room. “Ria, what is going on with you?” he demanded. “What happened? Why are you acting like this?” I looked at him.

But I didn’t answer.

“I am pregnant” I blunted out, before I could think.