The next morning, I woke up with a splitting headache. My mind was still reeling from last night’s realization—I was pregnant. With Timothy’s child.
I needed to be sure.
After getting dressed, I grabbed my bag and was about to head to the hospital when the front door swung open.
Timothy.
Before I could react, he strode inside like he still belonged here, wrapping his arms around me. His familiar scent—something that once brought me comfort—now made my stomach churn. Then, before I could shove him away, he kissed me.
Rage exploded inside me.
I pushed him off and slapped him across the face.
The sharp sound echoed through the room.
Timothy staggered back, eyes wide with shock. “What the hell, Samantha?”
I clenched my fists, my whole body trembling. “What’s wrong? You’re a married man, Timothy! And you just kissed me like nothing happened!”
His jaw tightened, and then he sighed as if I was the one being unreasonable. “It’s not like that. It’s just a paper marriage, Sam. It means nothing.” His voice softened.
“You’re still the one I love.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Love? You left me at the altar, Timothy! For her!”
“She was terrified,” he argued. “Audrey was going to be forced to marry that man—comatose, old, ruthless. I had to help her.”
I stared at him, feeling the last pieces of whatever love I had left shatter. “And what about me?” My voice cracked. “Did I not matter at all?”
Before he could answer, the door opened again.
Audrey.
She stepped in hesitantly, her eyes filled with fake concern. “Samantha, please don’t be mad at Timothy. If anyone deserves your hate, it’s me, not him.”
Something inside me snapped.
I walked up to her and slapped her hard.
Audrey gasped, holding her cheek.
Timothy’s face twisted with anger. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he shouted.
I turned to him, my chest rising and falling with every breath. “You don’t get to ask me that!”
But instead of understanding, his face darkened. “You’re acting crazy, Sam. This is your fault.”
My fault?
I scoffed, shaking my head. “You left me! You humiliated me! And now you’re trying to make me feel like I’m the villain?”
Timothy’s expression hardened. “You know what? Maybe it was a mistake coming here.”
Then he walked out, leaving me with Audrey still holding her cheek like she was the victim.
I had nothing left to say.
This was it.
The last straw.
I felt nothing but emptiness as I grabbed my things and walked out, dragging myself to the hospital.
I sat in the waiting room, clutching my hands together.
This baby… I couldn’t let it be tied to Timothy. I wouldn’t let him have any control over me ever again.
When the nurse called my name, I stood up. And I asked for an abortion.
After some time, I didn’t expect a call from Scott. I almost forgot that I was going to have a grand wedding with him.
Let alone have an idea of who he truly was. I tried researching, but nothing—as if he didn’t exist, or he was just too wealthy to pay people to hide his information.
Scott: “Go to Elysian Bridal. Get the best dress they have.”
His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
I blinked, caught off guard. “Okay…”
I didn’t ask why. I just went. After all, he saved me from humiliation. I also needed this. If Timothy thought he could replace me easily, then I could, too.
But when I arrived at the bridal shop, I froze.
Timothy and Audrey were there. Shopping for a wedding dress. Wasn’t it enough that they registered their marriage? Are they also thinking of having a grand wedding?
My heart dropped to my stomach, but I forced my feet forward, refusing to look weak.
Timothy’s eyes snapped to me the moment I stepped inside. His face twisted in confusion and then irritation.
“What are you doing here?”
I lifted my chin, my voice steady.
“I’m getting married.”
His expression darkened. “After what you did to Audrey, after slapping her, do you really think I’d still want to marry you?”
I felt the bitter laugh rise in my throat.
He thought I was here for him?
I stepped closer, meeting his gaze without flinching. “Who said I was marrying you?”
