RETURN OF THE FORGOTTEN BRIDE

ChapterEight

NATALIE’S POV

I couldn’t stop crying, the tears streaming down my face in uncontrollable waves making a mess of the make up I had on. Richard had been my entire world, and now, in the blink of an eye, everything had crumbled. It wasn’t just the end of our engagement—it was the betrayal, the feeling of being erased from his life, replaced as though I had never mattered.

My feet carried me without thought, and before I knew it, I was standing in front of Caleb’s door. Richard’s best friend. Caleb had always been kind to me, offering a listening ear when Richard and I had disagreements. Tonight, I needed that comfort. I needed someone to remind me I wasn’t losing my mind.

At the sound of the doorbell and Caleb's response to it, the door swung open, Caleb’s expression softened the moment he saw my tear-streaked face. “Natalie,” he said, stepping aside to let me in. “What’s wrong?”

Everything, I wanted to say. But the words wouldn’t come out. Instead, I collapsed onto his couch, the sobs racking my body as I tried to explain through broken sentences. Caleb sat beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder. His voice was soothing, though his words blurred in my mind.

Time passed in a haze. Caleb handed me a glass of water and sat close, too close for comfort, but I didn’t think much of it at first. I was too lost in my grief, too overwhelmed by the storm raging inside me.

“I don’t know what to do,” I murmured, clutching the glass tightly. “He doesn’t even remember… doesn’t even care…”

“I tried bringing up our paris trip” my voice shaking as tears rolled down my cheeks “he couldn't remember Caleb…..he told me he couldn't remember me” i broke down again

“Calm down, stop crying” Caleb said in a concerned tone

Caleb leaned in, his voice low and coaxing. “You deserve better than Richard, Natalie. He doesn’t appreciate you. I’ve always thought you deserved more.”

His words caught me off guard, but before I could respond, his hand brushed against mine, lingering too long. My heart skipped a beat—not from attraction, but from unease.

“Caleb…” I started, but he cut me off.

“You don’t need him,” he said, his tone suddenly intense. His hand moved to my arm, gripping it gently but firmly. “You’re beautiful, Natalie. You should be with someone who sees that. Someone like me.”

Panic flared in my chest as he leaned closer, his breath hot against my skin. I tried to pull away, but he grabbed my wrist, his grip tightening.

“Caleb, stop,” I said, my voice trembling.

“Come on, Nat,” he murmured, his other hand brushing against my waist. “I can make you forget him.”

I froze for a moment, disbelief paralyzing me. Then instinct took over. I shoved him hard, but he was stronger, his hold unyielding.

“Get off me!” I screamed, thrashing against him.

“f**k! Nat" Caleb winced as my nails sunk into his skin making marks and causing blood to spill. I simultaneously sunk my teeth into his arm causing him to cry out in more pain as he ripped himself away from me.

The chaos gave me the opening I needed. I bolted from the apartment, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I stumbled into the night.

By the time I reached Amaya’s place, my legs felt like jelly, and my head spun. Amaya had been my rock through so much, always offering a safe haven when life became too much. But as I approached her door, I felt a wave of irritation rise within me, unprovoked and inexplicable.

“Why does everything have to be so hard?” I muttered under my breath, fumbling with the keys.

The moment I stepped inside, my stomach churned violently. I barely made it to the bathroom before I was doubled over, vomiting until I thought there was nothing left inside me. My body trembled as I knelt by the toilet, cold sweat dripping down my back.

Amaya found me minutes later, slumped on her bathroom floor with my head halfway down the toilet, her expression a mix of concern and confusion. “Natalie, what happened? Are you okay?”

I shook my head, tears welling up again as the events of the night replayed in my mind. Caleb’s betrayal. The fear. The rush of adrenaline which saved me. And now, this overwhelming sickness.

“I don’t know,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

Amaya helped me to my feet and led me to the couch. “Start from the beginning,” she said gently. “What happened tonight?”

I hesitated, the words stuck in my throat. But as I looked into her eyes, I knew I couldn’t keep it inside. Slowly, haltingly, I told her everything. Her face darkened with anger as I described Caleb’s actions, but she didn’t interrupt. I never expected such actions from Caleb.

When I finished, Amaya pulled me into a hug, her grip tight and protective. “I’ll kill him,....I’d kill that son of a b***h” she muttered fiercely. “You did the right thing by getting out of there,” she said.

I tried to pull away, but the motion made my stomach churn violently. A sharp pang of irritation surged again, irrational and overwhelming. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I snapped, surprising even myself.

Amaya pulled back, studying me carefully. “Okay,” she said softly. “But you’re not staying silent about this forever.”

I nodded weakly, but I wasn’t listening. My body felt wrong—like a storm brewing inside me. Suddenly, the nausea peaked, and I stumbled to my feet, rushing to the bathroom.

I barely made it to the bathroom before vomiting. My body convulsed, wringing me dry until I was left clutching the counter, gasping for air.

Amaya appeared behind me, holding a glass of water. “Natalie, this isn’t just stress. Are you sick? Have you eaten today?”

“I don’t know,” I mumbled, rinsing my mouth. My reflection in the mirror was unrecognizable—pale, hollow, and exhausted.

She frowned, her eyes narrowing. “When was the last time you slept? Or ate? Or... Oh my God.”

“What?” I asked, turning to her.

She hesitated, as if afraid to say the words. “Natalie, is there any chance you could be pregnant?”

The question hit me like a freight train. My heart stopped, then raced uncontrollably. My mind reeled, flashing through the past few weeks—the arguments with Richard, the overwhelming fatigue, the way my emotions had spiraled out of control and the last time we had s*x without protection or the usual morning after pill.

Could it be?

I shook my head, panic bubbling to the surface. “No. No, that’s not... I can’t be.”

“I met you in the bathroom, your head halfway into the toilet seat” I could feel her gaze piercing right through my skin.

Amaya’s hand tightened on my arm. “We’ll figure it out,” she said firmly. “But right now, you need to rest. And we need answers.”

I nodded weakly, exhaustion washing over me. Deep down, I knew this was more than just stress or fear. Something was wrong. Something had changed.

I sank back onto the couch, my mind a whirl of fear and uncertainty. If Amaya was right, everything would change. And after tonight, I wasn’t sure I could handle anything more.

The thought lingered, heavy and undeniable. Could I be carrying a part of Richard, even after he’d erased me from his life?

The night stretched on, and as I lay curled up on Amaya’s couch, sleep eluded me. My mind raced with questions I couldn’t answer. Why had Caleb done what he did? And why did I feel so off, as though my body and mind were no longer entirely my own?

As the first light of dawn crept through the floral curtains, one thing became clear: this was only the beginning. Whatever was happening to me, whatever was changing inside me, it wasn’t over.

And I wasn’t sure I was ready for what came next.