Imprisoned in the CEO's Heart

Choosing to Leave

That morning, Zeno woke up and sighed because he remembered so clearly what he had done to Alea. Zeno was not one to engage in casual s*x, despite having lived abroad for a long time. Last night was his unluckiest day because one of his colleagues had set him up by spiking his drink with an aphrodisiac. That misfortune made him go home immediately because he didn't want to add to the problem by touching a woman who wasn't his wife.

Wife? That word immediately echoed in his ears as he realized he had touched his wife, whom he might soon divorce. Might? After this incident, Zeno seemed likely to cancel it. He saw the bloodstain on the bed, causing him to let out a heavy sigh. Zeno quickly got up and stepped into the bathroom. He cleaned his body while thinking about what he would say to Alea later. After bathing, he quickly dressed and left his room. He didn't see Alea, who was usually in the kitchen making breakfast, even though he never ate her cooking.

Zeno entered his study and immediately took the file containing the contract agreement that he and Alea had signed. Zeno tore up the paper and threw it into the trash can. He would cancel the agreement and take responsibility for Alea's life. Although he would leave Alea for quite some time because he was going to continue his studies in Europe.

Zeno knocked on Alea's room door but heard no sound from inside, prompting Zeno to enter without hesitation. He saw Alea's room looked tidy, but Alea was not there. Zeno entered the bathroom and looked around. He sighed because Alea was not visible. Zeno opened Alea's wardrobe, and it was empty, leaving a letter that made his anger peak.

"Thank you, for last night you truly shattered me. I am leaving because our relationship has ended, even though there is still one week left. I hope we never meet again because seeing you will only remind me that I was once your wife. I return everything! There's no need to compensate me as your ex-wife. I am grateful enough because you gave me a place to live for a year in your luxurious apartment and used your money to pay for my education for a year."

Zeno crumpled the paper Alea had written and threw it harshly. He then asked his subordinates to find Alea's whereabouts because before returning to Europe, he wanted this issue resolved. He would take responsibility for Alea's life. However, a month after Alea's departure, Zeno did not find any trace of Alea. He eventually decided to leave for Europe. The whole family did not know about the problems faced by Alea and Zeno. Alea truly disappeared, and it made Larry Aditya Collins furious because his eldest daughter had embarrassed him. Moreover, his wife said Alea ran away with another man and left Zeno.

***

Alea chose to live in Texas. She started her life as the new Alea, not as the wife of Zeno Williams and not as the eldest daughter of Larry Collins. Alea dropped the Collins name and only used her first name, Alea Jade. Alea rented a small room with a bathroom inside. For the first time, she lived without luxury and alone.

Alea was certain that Zeno Williams, her ex-husband, had already left for Europe. She had been working and studying economics. With the help of a friend, Alea was able to transfer her credits from two semesters to her new university, and she could take courses she hadn't taken yet. Alea could continue her third semester at this new university.

Today, Alea was very tired; her stomach had been churning, and she suddenly felt something was wrong with her body. Alea closed her eyes because she hoped what she was thinking wasn't happening right now.

"We've only did it once, how could it be?" Alea said, touching her stomach, feeling scared, confused, and anxious. "If it's true, what am I supposed to do?" Alea whispered.

Alea quickly changed her clothes and needed to check by buying a pregnancy test. Alea grabbed the handle of her room door and immediately went out. She locked her door and put her house key into her bag.

"Alea, aren't you going to work?" asked Dea, the neighbor renting the room next to hers.

"I'm not feeling well, Dea," Alea said.

"Going to the doctor?" asked Dea.

"No, Dea, I'm going to the pharmacy. Do you need anything?" Alea asked.

"No, Alea, I want to go back to sleep. The bar was really busy last night. I'm tired, Al. I've already done the laundry and just want to get back to my sweet dreams," said Dea. "You should go; your face looks really pale. I think you should see a doctor, Le!" said Dea.

"I'm going, Dea, Greetings."

"Greetings."

Alea walked towards the pharmacy that wasn't too far from her rented room. Her mind was in turmoil, especially if she was pregnant. Alea sighed because perhaps the person currently looking for her was Jane, Zeno Williams's mother. Meanwhile, her father and stepmother might be cursing her for deciding to divorce Zeno.

Alea arrived at the pharmacy and immediately asked the pharmacy staff what she wanted to buy. Alea felt embarrassed and paid for it, then quickly left the pharmacy. Alea walked slowly, unsure of when she had fallen in love with Zeno Williams, even though Zeno clearly didn't like her. Even anything Alea cooked, Zeno wouldn't eat. Alea once followed the advice of Jane, Zeno's mother, to try to win Zeno's heart even though at that time she didn't like Zeno. A few minutes later, she arrived at her rented place. Alea immediately went into the bathroom and took a pregnancy test. Since waking up and feeling nauseous, she hadn't had a chance to urinate. Alea waited for the test results, and after a few minutes, she finally took the pregnancy test and looked at it.

Alea collapsed weakly when she saw the two lines appear. Alea began to cry because the presence of this baby would surely make her meet Zeno again someday. Alea couldn't stay in Texas forever; she had her father as her parent, and she loved her father. Even though Larry might still be very angry with her at the moment.

"What should I do?" Alea whispered.

Alea took her phone and turned it on, the one person she wanted to contact was Zeno Williams, the father of her unborn child. Alea broke down in tears; for her, this child was a blessing, even though the pregnancy was not something she had hoped for. Especially with her condition of having to work and live alone like this. If only she had known she was pregnant, maybe she would have asked Zeno to divorce her after their child was born.

Alea called Zeno, but Zeno's phone didn't answer her call. "I'm sorry, my child, you have to grow up healthy only with Mama and without your Papa!" Alea said, stroking her belly. Alea hoped she could finish her studies while working and taking care of her baby. Alea cried uncontrollably, worrying Dea, who was in the room next door, and prompting her to immediately knock on Alea's door.

"Alea... open up!" said Dea.

Alea opened the door, and Dea was shocked to see Alea's face covered in tears. Without hesitation, Dea immediately hugged Alea tightly. "What's wrong?" asked Dea.

"Hiks... hiks... I'm pregnant." said Alea, shocking Dea.

Dea had only known Alea for two months. She had never seen Alea with a man or acting flirtatious. Alea's job was also clear, as a waitress in a restaurant and sometimes working in a cake shop.

"Who got you pregnant? Let me deal with him!" said Dea angrily.

Alea cried uncontrollably, making Dea gently pat Alea's back. "My husband got me pregnant," said Alea.

"What? Husband? You're married? Where's your husband?" asked Dea, confused and curious.

Alea pulled Dea by the hand to come into her room and sit with her. She then told her about the problem she was facing. Dea sighed, very concerned about what Alea was going through. "Actually, I'm just like you, but I didn't just leave and hide in this city. My parents divorced and have their own partners. They do give me money, but not attention. I deliberately chose to study here while working instead of staying in California and then having one of them force me to live with them," explained Dea.

Alea held Dea's hand. It turned out that Dea, who seemed like a tough girl, had a softer side beneath her tough exterior. "I was also frustrated when my boyfriend broke up with me because my family was broken. He didn't want to have a serious relationship if I was going to be his wife later."

"Yes, Dea, we're the same," said Alea.

"It's different. You're the wife who ran away. If I were you, I'd hold him accountable for what he did to you. What happened between you two was bound to happen since you're husband and wife," said Dea.

"But that's not according to the agreement, Dea," said Alea.

"You love him, don't you? Come on, admit it," teased Dea.

"Yes, just recently," said Alea.

"No, I bet you've liked him for a long time, hold on!" Dea opened a search app and typed in the name Zeno Williams. "Wow, your husband is so handsome, and he's amazing and smart too," said Dea, praising Zeno Williams's background.

"Dea, I don't intend to go back to him now. He doesn't love me, and I realize if I tell him I'm pregnant, I'll definitely be a burden to him." explained Alea.

"No matter what you decide, I'll support you. I believe you're a strong woman," said Dea, smiling to make Alea feel strong.

"I will be a single mother." said Alea, making Dea nod her head.

"Then I'll be like a mom to your child too. We'll work together to raise and care for your child!" said Dea, bringing Alea to tears of gratitude.

"Thank you."