"Your pregnancy needs to be well cared for, Miss. It's very delicate," the doctor said in a concerned tone.
Anna stared blankly out of the hospital room window, her hand resting on her still-flat belly. After days of weakness, she was finally allowed to go home. The reality had just knocked on her heart’s door—that she was now pregnant with a child. A life she never planned for.
However, even though happiness should have come with the arrival of this little one, Anna felt far from it. Her heart weighed heavy as she thought about how slim the chance was for a bright future for both her and the child growing inside her. Pedro, the father, was no longer by her side. Their relationship was over, shattered in an instant.
Anna looked at her hand resting on her belly, feeling a mix of emotions—pity for the baby, anger at the situation, and loneliness. But one thing she was sure of: she would give birth and raise this child with all the strength she had.
"I'm here, Anna. Your child will not lack a father. I will be here for both of you," Gabriel said gently. His voice was the kind that always brought peace, offering a sense of security in a world that felt so empty.
Anna looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you, Gabriel," she said softly, a faint smile on her lips, though her heart still ached.
"Well then, let’s go home. There are many people waiting for your return," Gabriel said, offering his hand.
Anna nodded, her body still weak. With Gabriel's help, she rose from the bed and walked out of the room, leaving the space filled with painful memories behind.
Her emotions were mixed as they walked down the hospital corridor. At the far end, in the quiet hallway, they unexpectedly crossed paths with Pedro. Richa sat in a wheelchair beside him, glaring at Anna with a look full of pretense.
Anna felt a sudden weight press into her chest, but she kept walking, determined not to pay them any more attention. Her heart had become hard, unwilling to get caught in the same game that had once hurt her.
"Anna! Stop!" Pedro shouted, halting in his tracks. Their eyes met, but there was no warmth there. Only coldness and feelings that had long since died.
Richa, her voice feigned sweet, greeted her. "Secretary Anna? How are you? What a coincidence that you’re here. Are you feeling ill too?"
Anna felt her chest tighten hearing those words. Richa was always like this—full of pretense. Whenever she was around Pedro, she would try to be sweet and sympathetic, but underneath it all, she intended to stab Anna in the back.
"I heard you were angry because Pedro forgot your birthday. I'm sorry, Secretary Anna. I didn't know Pedro should have been with you. If I'd known, I wouldn't have asked him to come help me," Richa said, her tone sweet but laced with manipulation.
Anna stared at her sharply. "I don't care about anything anymore, Miss. That’s in the past. Now, Mr. Pedro and I are no longer together. So, there’s no need for you to feel awkward."
Richa feigned shock, "What?! Why? You and Pedro have been together for so long. Don’t misunderstand my relationship with Pedro. You shouldn’t leave such a good man, Secretary Anna. Don’t repeat my mistake and regret it for the rest of your life."
Those words nearly made Anna lose her patience. Richa, with her fake smile, was trying to control the situation as if she were the victim.
"The regrets you have will never be mine, Miss. Now, take back the trash you left behind! I’ve already discarded it," Anna said, her voice firm and filled with hatred.
Pedro looked shocked by Anna’s words. "Anna!" he shouted, unable to believe what he had just heard. The woman who had once always been gentle was now a thorn in his heart.
Richa pretended to be in pain. "Ah... What are you doing, Anna? You’re hurting Pedro. Is it because you have another man now? Is that why you’re acting like this? You’re so cruel, Anna," Richa said, her face contorting as though she were the victim.
Anna felt her heart ache even more hearing Richa’s words. "Miss, Richa knows everything. Don’t be manipulative!" she cried out, losing her patience. Without thinking, she approached Richa, cornering her. But just as their gazes shifted to Pedro and Gabriel, Richa slyly fell, as if Anna had pushed her.
"Anna, you’ve gone too far!" Pedro yelled, glaring at her with fury. "You hurt Richa! I won’t forgive you if anything happens to her!"
Anna stood frozen, unable to believe what had just occurred. She had done nothing, but everything was turned around. Richa had cleverly orchestrated the situation, making it look like Anna was at fault.
"I didn’t do anything. She fell on her own," Anna said, her voice trembling, her heart breaking. Gabriel embraced her, trying to comfort her, but Anna still felt anxious and confused.
Meanwhile, in the examination room, Richa was still lying there, groaning weakly. Pedro, with great care, tried to comfort her. "Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?" he asked, worried.
Richa looked at him with hopeful eyes, "I’m scared, Pedro. I have no one else but you."
Pedro sighed, feeling guilty for the way Anna had made Richa’s condition worse. "I’ll always be here for you, Richa," he promised, though his heart was in turmoil. His mind couldn't let go of one thought—who was the man who was with Anna? What had really happened between them?
After Richa fell asleep, Pedro went to see the head doctor to ask more about Anna.
"She’s pregnant, and the man who’s been with her has always been there for her, especially when she went through a critical time a few days ago," the doctor explained, revealing an unexpected detail.
"What?!" Pedro was stunned. His heart was filled with anger and confusion. Could it be his child? Or had Anna betrayed him with another man? All these questions gnawed at his mind. This pregnancy, this secret she had kept hidden, now made everything even more complicated.
