That night, it felt endless. I didn’t sleep. I just sat there by Grandma’s bed, watching her chest rise and fall, counting each breath like it could be her last.
Anna woke up early for school. She didn’t even finish her breakfast. She looked at me with red eyes.
“Marielle, I’m going to school now,” she said softly. “I don’t really want to, but I have an exam today. If anyone bothers you again… please, call the police this time.”
I tried to smile at her. “I will. Go now. Take care, Anna.”
When she left, the room went quiet again. The smell of the hospital hung in the air; antiseptic, sadness, and something that felt like grief soaked into my clothes.
An hour later, the door opened.
For a second, I thought it was Gideon. My heart jumped. But no. It was Victor. And right behind him, Ivy.
Both of them looked fresh, glowing, dressed like they just came from a morning jog.
Victor walked straight to the table and threw an envelope down. It hit the wood with a loud slap.
“It’s done,” he said coldly. “I already signed. You won’t get a cent from me.”
I looked at the papers, then at him. “Fine,” I said. “I don’t want your money anyway.”
He scoffed, crossing his arms. “Oh please. Of course you do. That’s all you’ve ever wanted. You’ve been using my name, my money, my reputation. Even dragging Ivy through the mud just for attention.”
I swallowed hard but didn’t reply. I just picked up the pen, signed my name, and pushed the papers back toward him. My hand didn’t even shake.
“There,” I said. “Now you can go play happy couple in peace.”
Ivy stepped forward, putting on her usual soft, trembling voice. “Marielle, I’m… I’m so sorry. I didn’t want things to end like this. I never wanted your grandma to get hurt. Please believe me.”
I stared at her for a moment. Then I let out a small laugh. It sounded cracked and dry.
“You’re good, Ivy. You should’ve been an actress.”
Her eyes glistened. “I mean it, Marielle. I really do.”
“Then cry somewhere else,” I said. “I don’t need your fake pity.”
Victor moved between us and put his arm around her waist. I couldn’t stop staring at that hand. The same hand that once swore to protect me, now holding her like I was the stranger.
He glared at me. “That’s enough. Don’t waste your tears on her.”
I took a deep breath. “Get out, Victor. From now on, there’s nothing left between us. I’ll just remember you as someone who died a long time ago.”
His expression turned dark. Without a word, he pulled out his wallet, grabbed some cash, and threw it at my face.
“Take it,” he said. “That’s all you’re worth.”
The bills scattered across the floor. They fluttered down around my feet like trash. I didn’t even look up. I just listened to their footsteps as they walked out, closing the door behind them.
The silence that followed was worse than their words.
I knelt slowly, picked up the bills one by one, and smoothed them flat. My hands didn’t shake. I gathered every single piece, slipped them back into the envelope, and sealed it shut.
Then I called a delivery rider. My voice didn’t break once.
“Please send this to Victor’s firm,” I said. “He forgot something disgusting here.”
And when the rider asked what it was, I just said quietly, “His soul.”
.....
Victor’S POV
The hospital parking lot was still wet from last night’s rain when we stepped out. I was about to open the car door for Ivy when she suddenly went pale.
“Ivy?” I said, frowning.
She didn’t answer. She clutched her stomach, turned aside, and threw up all over the concrete.
“Hey, hey, easy,” I said, catching her before she fell. Her skin felt cold, her body trembling. My heart jumped to my throat.
Without thinking, I scooped her up. She was so light, fragile like she’d break if I didn’t hold tight enough. I ran back inside, shouting for help.
“Doctor! Somebody help! She’s sick!”
A nurse led us to a small room. The doctor came in, calm like he’d seen this a thousand times. He checked her pulse, asked her a few questions, and then did a quick ultrasound.
The screen flickered. He smiled faintly and looked at me.
“Sir,” he said, “your wife is pregnant.”
For a second, I couldn’t breathe. The words hit me harder than anything I’d ever heard. Pregnant.
I felt something burst open inside me. Relief, joy, shock? it all came at once.
Ivy stared at the doctor, her face blank with disbelief. “Wait, I’m not his wife,” she whispered. “I’m not—”
I stopped her, pressing her hand against my chest. “You will be,” I said. “Soon. You’re carrying my child, Ivy. Do you understand what that means? I’ve wanted this for years. You gave me a miracle.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Victor, what if Marielle fights back? What if she ruins everything again? I don’t want to end up in jail. I’m scared. I’m really scared.”
I cupped her face, forcing her to look at me. “Listen to me. No one is touching you or this baby. I’ll protect you. I don’t care what it costs. I’ll talk to Grandma and Wendy. They’ll be happy for us. You’ll see.”
I pulled out my phone and called Grandma first. It rang and rang. No answer.
“That’s weird,” I muttered. “She always picks up.”
Ivy rubbed my arm gently. “Maybe she’s just resting. She’s been through a lot too.”
“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “Maybe she’s busy in her greenhouse. You know how she gets when she’s tending her flowers.”
Then I called Wendy. Same thing. No answer.
For a second, I felt a strange chill.
