One
The morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the room. I stretched lazily in bed, a smile spreading across my lips. It had been three years since my marriage to Jaxon, and for the first time, I felt like I truly belonged. Last night was magical, unlike anything I had ever experienced.
For three long years, Jaxon had kept his distance, treating our marriage as nothing more than a business arrangement. But last night, something shifted. For the first time, he reached for me, held me, whispered promises that had left me breathless and filled me with hope.
“I’ll end it with Vivian,” he had said, his deep voice resonating in my ears even now. “I’ve fallen in love with you Mary Jane.”
My heart fluttered at the memory. Could it be true? Could Jaxon finally be mine?
I sat up, my hands brushing against the silky sheets. It felt like a dream, one I wasn’t ready to wake up from. Jaxon Reed, the man I had admired from afar for years, was finally mine.
My thoughts drifted back to the first time I had heard his name. He was the only grandson of Sarah Reed, the elderly woman I had cared for as a personal nurse. Ms. Sarah often spoke of Jaxon with pride, painting a picture of a golden boy who was both brilliant and compassionate. I had felt a connection to him even then, though we had never met.
When Ms. Sarah proposed marriage between Jaxon and me, I agreed without hesitation. It was a chance to be close to the man I had already grown to admire, a man I had fallen in love with.
But the reality of our marriage had been far from the fairy tale I had imagined. Jaxon was cold, distant, and painfully indifferent. He hadn’t even tried to hide his disdain for our arrangement.
I remembered our first meeting vividly. He had walked into the room with the kind of presence that demanded attention. Tall, broad-shouldered, and devastatingly handsome, Jaxon Reed looked like he had stepped out of the pages of a magazine. But his expression had been one of irritation, as if the very act of being there was beneath him.
I had been nervous, my hands trembling as I asked him about his preferences for our upcoming wedding. He had barely acknowledged me, answering my questions half-heartedly and avoiding my gaze.
The wedding itself had been a cold, clinical affair. Jaxon had made it clear from the start that he was marrying me for his grandmother’s sake, and for the family business.
But I remained undeterred. I believed that love could grow, that with time, Jaxon would come to see my worth. I had thrown myself into my role as his wife, taking etiquette classes, dressing in the finest clothes, and learning to navigate the high society he was so accustomed to. And when I found out that the woman he loved was carrying his child I didn't say anything nor did I make a fuss. I knew from the very beginning that the woman he loved was her but I was selfish and I wasn't willing to let him go.
My love for him made me shamelessly stick myself close to him. I threw away my dignity and asked that she move in with us after the doctor said that her pregnancy was a high risk to make him happy so he could see just how deeply in love I was with him.
And yet, nothing I did seemed to matter. Jaxon’s heart still belonged to her, Vivian.
I sighed as I stepped out of bed, my feet sinking into the plush carpet. I walked to the bathroom, my movements slow and deliberate as I allowed myself to savor the happiness bubbling within me.
After my shower, I wrapped myself in a robe and headed to the vanity in our walk-in closet. As I brushed my hair, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks were flushed, my eyes bright with hope. But now things were changing.
The knock on the door startled me. I walked to the door and opened it and saw Vivian standing there, her hand resting protectively on her swollen belly.
“Vivian?” I said, surprised.
“Can we talk?” Vivian asked, her voice trembling.
I nodded “Sure let me just change,” I closed the door and through on a cozy cotton two-piece and some slippers. I then guided her to the terrace. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of blooming flowers. We sat down, and I waited, her heart pounding.
“I spoke to Jaxon last night,” Vivian began, her eyes glistening with tears.
My breath caught.
“He told me he’s fallen in love with you,” Vivian said, her voice barely above a whisper.
For a moment, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I searched Vivian’s face for any hint of malice or deception, but all I saw was raw emotion.
“Vivian, I—”
“I love him,” Vivian said, cutting me off. “But I understand. As long as you promise to take care of my child, I’ll step aside. What matters is that Jaxon is happy,”
My heart ached at the pain in Vivian’s voice. Despite everything, I felt a pang of sympathy for the woman who had held Jaxon’s heart for so long.
“Of course I will,” I said softly. The child meant a lot to Jaxon so I would love him or her with all my heart.
Vivian smiled weakly. “Thank you. I’ll be moving to the penthouse Jaxon bought for me. I don’t want to make things uncomfortable for either of you.”
I nodded, unsure of what to say.
“Let’s have breakfast together,” Vivian said, standing up.
I followed her, my mind racing. I couldn’t believe that Jaxon had finally chosen me, that Vivian was willingly stepping aside. It felt surreal.
As we reached the stairs, Vivian paused and turned to me.
“Can you help me?” she asked, her voice hesitant.
“Of course,” I said, reaching out to steady her.
We descended the stairs slowly, I holding Vivian’s arm. But halfway down, Vivian suddenly stopped, her eyes wide with fear.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, concerned.
Vivian grabbed my hand, her grip tightening.
“Please don’t,” Vivian whispered, her voice trembling.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, confusion etched across my face.
“Please Mary Jane I beg you!”, she screamed. Before I could say anything else, Vivian’s grip loosened, and she let out a terrified scream.
“Vivian!” I shouted as Vivian fell backward, tumbling down the stairs.
Time seemed to slow as I watched in horror frozen on the staircase, my heart hammering in my chest as the sound of Vivian’s body tumbling down the stairs echoed through the massive house. I could barely register the chaos unfolding before me , Vivian’s piercing scream, the frantic cries of house staff rushing to the scene, and Jaxon’s stunned expression as he stood at the foot of the stairs.
