At 10:00 am, Anna was still lying down. She should have been at the mansion according to her return schedule.
Actually, Anna didn't want to go there, but there was no way she could pear; she had to have a reason to go, and that required proof.
The door to her hospital room opened. Ivan entered with a tense expression, followed by several of his people. "Anna! What happened?" he asked, his voice full of worry.
“I picked you up at the villa, but you weren't there. I searched through my people, and we finally found you here."
Ivan sat next to the treatment bed. He rubbed Anna's forehead lightly. The warm look in Ivan's eyes hypnotized Anna. She also hoped that Ivan would change by learning about her pregnancy.
Anna rubbed her stomach, then said, "The doctor said I...."
The ringing of Ivan's cell phone on his bed stopped Anna's words, who had already seen the identity of the caller. It was Benita.
Ivan immediately pulled out his cell phone with a panicked face, and then he stood up. Ivan took the call. "Yes, I'll be there. Don't do anything yet."
Anna smiled bitterly. She moved her hand away from her stomach.
"Aren't you going to wait for me until it's time to go home?" she asked as Ivan approached again.
"Sorry, I suddenly have an important job. So what did the doctor say? What's wrong with you?"
Anna shook her head. "Don't worry. I have indigestion."
"You should take better care of yourself," Ivan said. "I'll go. Let me know if you want to come home. By the way, we have an invitation to the opening of a painting gallery tomorrow. Benita invited us. If you're better tomorrow, come along, she wants to meet you."
"Okay.”
Anna knew that Benita had captured her fiancé's heart. But she still didn't expect Ivan's attitude towards her to have changed so quickly. Ivan didn't care anymore, even though Anna was in a helpless state.
Ivan hurriedly left the hospital room. Anna then stroked her flat stomach. She let out a long sigh, trying to ward off the tears that were ready to fall, but she was unable to.
"Why didn't you tell me everything? Isn't Sir Ivan entitled to know how you are?" Nika handed her a tissue as she saw Anna covered in tears.
Anna smiled bitterly. "He's no longer mine, Nika. I no longer matter to him."
Nika hugged Anna tightly, becoming Anna's guide amidst the turmoil of her already fractured heart.
***
Anna got out of the car with an anxious heart, though her smile remained engraved. The elegant maroon dress Ivan had given her wrapped around her body ideally, adding a graceful yet fragile impression. She wanted to look perfect for Ivan, even though her heart was still haunted by the pain of Benita's gallery, all eyes on the couple. However, the glory was short-lived. Anna's eyes were immediately drawn to Benita standing in the center of the crowd of guests. She was wearing a dress of the same color and style. The difference was that Benita's dress looked more luxurious with the addition of expensive accessories that made her look like a queen.
Whispers began to sound around her. Two female guests looked at her and said quietly, but Anna could hear them clearly.
"Anna wants to compete with Benita, huh?"
"Benita is definitely more compatible with Don Ivan. You see, Anna is like a fading shadow."
Benita and Ivan were quite well known, especially since their business dealings had begun to dominate several regions. So, any show would be taken seriously.
Anna's face turned red, not from embarrassment but from humiliation. She felt like she was being stripped naked in front of everyone. Her gaze fell on Ivan, hoping he would do something to defend her dignity. However, Ivan only smiled faintly at Benita, who was waving at them, as if he didn't care about Anna's feelings.
Anna held back the tears that were about to spill. She took a step in a different direction, but Ivan grasped her hand firmly, restraining her movement. "Stay here," he said in a cold tone.
Anna couldn't say anything, she just followed Ivan, who approached Gerald and Mike. Their sardonic gazes clearly showed what they thought of Anna. They treated her like a useless appendage. Anna bowed her head, holding back the shame and annoyance that felt like daggers piercing her chest.
As the ceremony began, Benita approached Anna with a glass of wine in her hand. "Drink this, Anna. We must celebrate this beautiful day," she said with a meaningful smile.
Anna politely declined. She couldn't possibly consume a drink that would harm her womb. "Sorry, I can't drink alcohol."
However, Benita urged her. "Just a sip, Anna. Don't spoil the party." She said commandingly.
When Anna refused again and didn't take it, Benita pretended to trip, causing the wine in her glass to spill and stain her dress. Gasps could be heard from the guests around them.
"Oh, Anna, what are you doing!" said Benita in a tone that sounded annoyed and full of mockery. "How could you!"
Ivan came over to them and gave Anna a sharp look. "Help Benita clean her dress," he ordered firmly.
Anna nodded wordlessly, following Benita into the bathroom. There, the atmosphere turned even more tense. Benita stood in front of the mirror, casually cleaning her dress. When Anna wanted to help her, she brushed her off rudely. "Get rid of your dirty hands, bitch!"
"What do you mean, you spilled the wine? Why are you mad at me?" Anna was not having it. Anna turned away, preferring to leave Benita rather than listen to her insults again.
"I want you to know something," Benita said suddenly. Anna stopped her steps and looked at the woman.
Benita turned her head with a sly smile. "That dress you're wearing? I chose it. I purposely bought it at a cheap store and asked Ivan to give it to you. Do you know why? Because I wanted everyone to see the class difference between us, and I succeeded, right? You're just a lower-class woman who doesn't deserve to stand next to Ivan."
Anna bit her lip, holding back the overwhelming pain. "Why are you doing this, Benita? What did I do wrong? I never bothered you!" she said in a trembling voice.
"Because I want you to know your place," Benita replied. She took out a photograph from her bag and handed it to Anna. "Look at this."
The photo showed Ivan hugging Benita tightly. They were on a messy bed, a loving smile plastered on Ivan's face.
"Not only that," Benita continued. "I'll soon be his wife, and you? You'll be thrown out of the mansion like a homeless dog. Ivan never loved you, Anna. You were just a tool for him. You can't even give Ivan inner satisfaction.”
Anna tried to return the photo, but her hands were shaking. "Stop it, Benita. I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense!"
However, Benita didn't stop. She stepped closer, her eyes full of hatred. "You know what hurts more? You're still hanging on to his side, like a loser who doesn't know when to give up. Do you think you can win Ivan's heart? You have nothing against me."
"You have no right to say that!" Anna fought back.
"Are you pretending not to notice the signs of our affair? He's never at the office or the mansion every Sunday, is he? Where does he go? Doing business? Or spending the night at my house? You're pathetic, Anna!"
Anna was silent for a moment and began to realize the truth of what Benita was saying. Ivan was never alone with her on Sundays but preferred to spend the night on Saturdays or Mondays.
Seeing the look on Anna's face, Benita laughed, saying, "You idiot! No wonder Ivan is so wild when he's with me. He has to deal with a stubborn slut like you, huh? You know, yesterday we spent the day passionately in your bed, Anna. I knew you were in the hospital, so I called Ivan and invited him to act out his wild fantasies. Turns out he wanted to fuck me there."
Anna's breath caught, and she clenched her hands until her knuckles turned white. "Stop it! You accuse me of being a slut, yet you explain your true position. You have taken another woman's fiancé and become the fulfillment of his forbidden desires; are you proud of that?"
"Shut your mouth slut!" Benita suddenly raised her leg, trying to kick Anna. Reflexively, Anna shielded her stomach with both hands.
The movement did not escape Benita's eyes. She again wanted to strike Anna in the same spot, but Anna was getting protective of her stomach.
Benita smiled slyly. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Anna with suspicion. "Wait... you're pregnant, huh?"
