CHAPTER 1: A SHATTERED ANNIVERSARY

"How could she do this? I can not believe she is such a cheat!"

The streets were alive with activity as Isabella made her way home, clutching a bag of groceries against her swollen stomach. Like a full-time housewife, the heavily pregnant woman had been up for hours running errands.

Her heart ached for her anniversary, picturing her husband Wyan's smile when he saw how much work she had put into preparing his favorite meal.

Isabella's spirit was light, but her face was flushed and she walked more slowly than usual. She approached the door of their modest home, her heart racing with anticipation. Pushing it open.

"Wyan, I am back!" Her voice had the warmth of a devoted wife ready to spread the day's happiness as she called out softly.

Wyan was inside, sitting stiffly on the couch, holding a picture. His eyes were dark with rage, and his face was stormy. He had come home earlier than normal, and he was devastated by what he discovered. The picture—a damning picture of Isabella and another man on a bed.

"So, where did you go?" His voice was furious, and his face was rigid.

Isabella entered the living room, her radiant smile brightening the atmosphere. She had failed to notice Wyan's tense posture or his angry eyes.

"You got home early!" she exclaimed, setting the bag on the table. "I purchased your favorite food. I will get it for you." Her voice was upbeat, filled with love and excitement.

Wyan stood up suddenly as she started to unpack the groceries, his movements piercing and angry. His footsteps were heavy as he strode toward her without saying anything. "Could you please explain this to me?"

Isabella glanced in his direction, her smile wavering as she took in his look.

"Wyan?" she inquired, her voice beginning to waver with worry.

He suddenly slammed the picture in her face. "I say, can you explain this!"

Isabella staggered back in shock as the impact sounded loud in the stillness. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she put a hand to her cheek. Her hands shaking, she looked at the picture and managed to catch it before it fell.

Her breathing became difficult. Her face and body were unmistakable as she lay on a bed with another man. Her vision became blurred with disbelief as the world appeared to tilt.

"Wyan, I—" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Do not dare!" Wyan's voice sounded like thunder, cutting her off. His face contorted with rage, and his words were sharp and venomous. "You were so desperate for a man that you had to sleep with a jerk—on our anniversary day, no less!"

Isabella's eyes welled up with tears as she processed the accusation. "Wyan, this is not true. "I have no idea—"

"Shut up!" he exclaimed, stepping closer. His hand shot out and grabbed her by the throat. In an attempt to break his hold, Isabella's hands automatically went to his as she gasped. Tears rolled down her cheeks as her eyes begged him.

"So this is what you do while I am out working to support you?" Wyan spat. "You seduce my brother and sleep with him beneath my roof!" As he spoke, his hold became more tightly gripped, the betrayal more painful than any injury.

"No, Wyan, please!" Isabella choked out, her voice straining. "It is not as you think. I have no idea how—"

"Do not lie to me!" he yelled. His free hand moved to her pregnant belly, pressing down hard. Isabella cried out in agony, her body writhing as she attempted to pull away.

"Wyan, please stop! You are hurting me!" She screamed, her voice raw with anguish.

"You are carrying my child, and you still have the audacity to betray me?" Wyan's voice was low and threatening. His words were dripping with disgust as he stared at her, his eyes devoid of the love that had once been there.

Isabella sobbed, her voice breaking as she attempted to explain. "That is not true, Wyan. Please just listen to what I say. I am not sure how that photo—"

"Enough!" Wyan barked, letting go of her neck and taking a step back. Isabella fell to the ground, clutching her stomach as she let out a gasp.

"I do not want to hear from you again," Wyan stated in a cold voice. "You must get my permission before leaving this house from now on. Do you understand?"

Isabella's face was streaked with tears as she gazed up at him. Her voice was stuck in her throat as she tried to scream, beg, and convince him of the truth. Wyan did not wait for an answer. He snatched up his coat and hurried out, slamming the door shut behind him.

The only sound in the room for a while was Isabella's hushed sobs. Cradling her belly, she apologized in a whisper to the life that was developing inside of her.

The sound of the door opening startled her, and she looked up to see Mrs. June, her mother-in-law, enter.

The older woman saw Isabella's tear-streaked face and the photo on the floor and knew what was going on right away.

"What did you do this time, ungrateful girl?" Mrs. June demanded, picking up the photograph. Her eyes scanned the scene, and her expression hardened.

"Please, Mrs. June, I—" Isabella began speaking, her voice trembling.

Mrs. June abruptly cut her off with a slap to the cheek. "My son abandoned his plans to marry a wealthy heiress in favor of you, a poor girl with no name. And this is the way you repay him? By cheating on him with another person?"

"No, that is not true!" Isabella cried as she shook her head. "I swear, I have no idea how that photo—"

"Do not lie to me!" Mrs. June yelled and threw the photograph at Isabella. It landed next to her, the image staring back as a cruel reminder of her husband's allegations.

"I did not do that—"

"I thought you were better than this," Mrs. June said, her voice filled with contempt. "You have brought nothing but shame to this family. Leave my sight before I do something I will regret."

Isabella opened her mouth to speak, but shut it again when she saw Mrs. June's rage. She lowered her head, tears streaming silently down her cheeks as her mother-in-law stormed out.