ManyWriters

The moment I discovered my pregnancy, I was overcome with joy and anticipation, eagerly planning how to reveal the news to Ray. I envisioned an intimate dinner, with candlelight and the sonogram tucked away for him to find. However, my plans were shattered before I could even begin.
Arriving home unexpectedly, I overheard voices coming from Ray's office. I hesitated by the entrance, my pulse quickening. While it wasn't uncommon for Ray to entertain guests, something in his tone made me linger silently, eavesdropping.
"You've maintained that young woman as your mistress for half a decade. Don't you intend to legitimize her position?" one of his companions jested, his words laced with sarcasm.
Ray let out a chuckle, the sound piercing me like shards of broken glass. "If Susan were to find out, she'd surely leave me. I can't afford that risk."
Their amusement erupted, filling the space like a cruel chorus. One voice stood out, oozing with admiration. "You're quite the cunning one, aren't you? Even your infidelity is meticulously orchestrated."
Each word felt like a stab, each more painful than the last. With trembling hands, I pushed the door open, stepping into their circle of casual camaraderie. Ray glanced up, his smile unwavering, as if nothing had transpired. He slipped a ring onto my finger with practiced ease.
"The wedding is scheduled for next month," he declared, his voice brimming with rehearsed enthusiasm. "I have to work late tonight, so go enjoy trying on wedding gowns. I'll see you later."
His touch lingered just long enough to make me nauseous. I knew the real reason for his absence. It wasn't work—it was Christine Brooks, the artist under his contract. He had reserved a romantic suite for them that night, another in a series of betrayals.
I suppressed the rising bile and forced a smile, playing the role of the unsuspecting fiancée. But inside, my heart was shattering into pieces I feared I could never reassemble.

Betrayed Before the Vows, A Bride's Heartbreak

As time passed, the recollections of Gabriel grew more vivid in my mind, becoming clearer with each day. It was as though every small detail, regardless of its previous significance, was being carved into my soul, deepening its impact in unexpected ways.


I could sense my heart pounding, its rhythm resonating in my ears. I realized I had surrendered—surrendered to something that had always been present, waiting to be acknowledged. I had yielded to my own emotions, to the affection I had never fully permitted myself to recognize.


It wasn't until I ceased evading my feelings that I grasped the reality. The steadfast devotion I had always craved—the kind of love that was enduring, genuine, and unfaltering—had been there all along, silently anticipating my comprehension. It had been Gabriel, from the beginning.


Chapter 10