Her Billionaire Husband

A New Reality

“You’re pregnant.” Asher’s mother lamented, anger evident on her face as she gazed at Sophia’s pale face.

Sophia’s eyes fluttered open to find herself in a luxurious bedroom, surrounded by extravagant furnishings. She tried to sit up, but she’s forced back into the pillow as dizziness washed over her.

“What am I doing here?” She asked in a weak voice, her eyes wandering around the room, like a lost puppy.

“You passed out on our doorstep.”

Her hand instinctively goes to her stomach, a mix of emotions swirling through her. She had wanted to tell Asher in person, but his secretary had been rude and unhelpful, sending her to his house to wait. She hadn’t even known he lived with his mother and now..

“Asher. I need to see him.” She spoke up, trying to gather up all the strength she could.

Mrs Gold snorts, “I doubt that’s possible. Asher is in a meeting halfway across the world.”

Sophia’s eyes narrowed, knowing there was something the woman wasn’t saying. “Is there something I should know, ma’am?”

“You’re not exactly the kind of woman we envisioned for Asher.” She sighed. “But, now that you’re carrying my grandchild, the heir to our family’s company, I guess we’d have to make do. Although this does not in any way mean I accept you as a part of this family nor do I want to see you around my son.”

Sophia felt a surge of anger and sadness, her emotions were all over the place. She knew the woman didn’t like her but hearing her say it just hit different. She had tried telling Asher that day after the dinner, but he ignored the situation. Too exhausted to give a response she closes her eyes as a few tears fall and she cries herself to sleep.

*********************

The loud whispers of Mrs Gold wakes Sophia up, as she takes in her environment remembering that she was still at the Gold’s.

“No grandchild of mine will be born out of wedlock. A wedding date is to be fixed. The family’s reputation will not be tarnished by a needy girl who couldn’t close her legs.” She spat.

Sophia becomes fully awake upon hearing this, her heart racing. Asher mother’s voice whispers grew louder and urgent.

“We’ll need to move quickly, the sooner the wedding, the better. I’ll speak with Asher today and have the preparation going.”

Sophia’s mind reeled as she realized what the older woman was planning. She threw off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She had to get out of there. Her coming here was not for marriage but rather to inform her boyfriend of the pregnancy.

But as she stood up, the room spun around her and Mrs Gold caught her, holding her wrist tightly. “You can’t leave, dear. You are to be here till you get married and even after.”

She stood still, staring at the other woman in shock. “What? No! I’m not getting married into this kind of family.” She cried helplessly.

Asher’s mother smiled sweetly, “You do not have a choice, miss. You see, Sophia you’re not just carrying any child but rather a member of this family and we do not tolerate illegitimacy. It is simply not done.”

“I won’t do it. I won’t get married to Asher just because I’m pregnant.” She shook her head, vehemently.

Mrs Gold shrugged. “Suit yourself. Now listen, I will do everything in my power to make sure that child is born with the family name. If you refuse to do as I say, you would not see this baby again after its birth.”

A gasp could be heard from Sophia as she collapses on the floor crying, overwhelmed by despair. She cried like she had never cried before, even more than when she lost her parents. She knew this was the beginning of her problems, the start of a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.“Look, you’re going to do as I say for the sake of the family and well your child.”

Mrs Gold, stands up and leaves the room, smiling wickedly as she locks the door shut. The sound of the key turning echoing in Sophia’s mind. She cried for her unborn child, trapped in the toxic family’s web. She cried for her freedom, lost and stolen from her. She cried for her future, uncertain and terrifying.

Still on the floor crying to herself, as thoughts of her relationship with Asher came rushing through her mind. She recalls when they met, realizing they had known each other for only five months and dated for three. She enjoys his company, likes his charming smile and appreciates his sweet gestures but marriage had not for once crossed her mind. Sometimes, she even felt uneasy about their relationship.

Asher was always surrounded by girls and although he had never been inappropriate in her presence nor had she heard otherwise, it made her uncomfortable. She had brushed it off, thinking she was being paranoid and not wanting to come off as insecure. Till she saw the news…

And then there were his anger problems, which she had witnessed a few times, but he had always downplayed it. She had ignored it, thinking his workers were just not meeting his demands but the truth was, his outbursts atimes made her feel uneasy. The way he would slam his fist on the table, making her jump, or stamp his foot impatiently, like a child throwing a tantrum. And then there were times he would fling whatever object was closest to him, his face filled with rage, as if he had no control over his emotions.

But what really bothered her, was his reluctance to talk about his family. The couple of times she had brought it up expressing his family’s obvious disapproval towards her, he had changed the subject or dismissed it, saying his love for her was all that mattered.

The lock of the door turns and a doctor walks in, followed by a maid carrying a tray of food. The doctor approaches Sophia, concern etched on his face seeing her eyes teary with redness.

“Miss, please you need to stop crying. You’re not doing that baby any good nor yourself.”

Sophia tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse from crying. She shakes her head, unable to find words. She picks up her phone and types what she was going to say, ‘Asher?’

“Oh. The boss is on his way, he’s been informed already.”

Hurt flashes across Sophia’s eyes, Asher was aware, he knew of her pregnancy and couldn’t call or even send her quick text.

“You have no right to tell her that.” The doctor scolds the young maid. She puts her hand to her mouth as if realizing her mistake. She indeed had no right, her job was to clean and cook for her employer. She sets the tray down on a nearby table and quietly leaves the room.

“You need to eat something.” Sophia turns away, uninterested in the food. “You should at least drink the soup, you seem dehydrated, please.”

Sophia looked up at the doctor, tears streaming down her face. “Please…help me. Help me get out of here. I can’t marry him.”

The old man's eyes softened, but he said nothing. His eyes darted towards the door in fear of being overheard.

The door opens again, this time with force and Asher walks in, his eyes fixed on Sophia. The doctor nodded and let himself out, leaving the couple alone.

Asher rushed to the bed, embracing Sophia tightly as she burst into tears. “I’m pregnant, I’m pregnant.” She murmured repeatedly, her body shaking with sobs.

Once she calmed down, she pulled back, her eyes red and puffy. “Why?”

“What?” He asked confused.

“Why didn’t you return my calls?” Asher I called you several times.” Her voice tremling.

He looks away, unable to meet her gaze. “I was in shock Sophia, I - I didn’t know what to say.”

Her expression turned skeptical, “You were in shock? That’s all you can say? You could have at least sent me a text, do you how worried I was? Scared even, I had just found out I was pregnant and wanted to speak with my boyfriend…”

Asher cuts her off, shifting uncomfortably, “Look, I know I should have called, but…let’s not focus on that right now. Sophia, I want you to know that I didn’t cheat on you. That girl on the news…it was nothing, it’s all a misunderstanding and…”

Sophia sighed, laughing like she was in a comedy show. You know that kind of laughter when you can’t cry anymore, yeah that’s the one. “Cheating is the least of our problems, Asher. Your mother…she’s been here. She said we were getting married and that I have no choice. I’ve been locked me up in this room, since I got here.”

“Wouldn’t you say something?” She asked impatiently, wanting to leave the Gold's mansion as fast as she could.

Asher’s expression darkened, his lips set in a thin line. He stood up from the bed, his eyes flashing with determination, his voice firm. “Yes, we are getting married.”