The drive home after the commotion with Venus left me emotionally drained. Every mile back to my small apartment felt like a dagger twisting deeper into my chest. Once inside, I collapsed onto my bed, letting the tears come freely. It wasn't just the sight of Venus and her baby bump that broke me - it was the cruel reminder of everything I had lost.
The memory resurfaced like an old wound. Venus and I had made a pact back then, a foolish one born out of competition and pride. Whoever got pregnant first would claim Lorde. It had been a playful challenge at first, one we didn’t take seriously - until it wasn't.
I had been pregnant once. My hands instinctively went to my stomach, now flat and barren. I had wanted to surprise Lorde with the news, to see the joy light up his face when I told him. But fate had other plans. I lost the baby, and I never got the chance to tell him.
A sob escaped me as regret clawed at my chest. If only I hadn't waited. If only I had told him. Maybe then he wouldn't have turned to Venus. Maybe I would be the one he held now, not her.
The sound of the door opening snapped me out of my thoughts. Darlea stepped inside, her eyes narrowing in concern as she saw me curled up on the bed. "Ohh… what's wrong?" she asked, sitting down beside me.
I hesitated for a moment before spilling everything - the pact with Venus, the pregnancy I lost, the regret I carried every single day.
Darlea listened quietly, her face softening as I finished. "Do you still... love him?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.
I nodded, my voice trembling. "I never stopped. No matter what, he was always it for me."
She sighed, leaning back against the headboard. "Ynna, you can't keep torturing yourself like this. He's married now. He has a family. You need to focus on what we planned."
Her words stung, but I knew she was right. No amount of tears or longing would change the fact that Lorde had moved on - with Venus, no less.
The weeks that followed were painful but necessary. I threw myself into our plan, pushing aside the heartbreak whenever it tried to resurface. But moving on wasn't easy, especially when I saw Lorde and Venus every day at the office. Their laughter echoed through the halls, a constant reminder of what I had lost.
One afternoon, as I reviewed some documents in the conference room alone, a knock at the door startled me. Venus stepped inside, her radiant smile masking whatever venom she was undoubtedly hiding beneath.
"Ms. Versejo, I have something for you," she said, handing me a pink envelope.
I opened it, finding an invitation to their baby shower. My stomach twisted, but I forced a smile.
"We'd love for you to be the godmother," Venus said, her tone saccharine.
Godmother. The word felt like a cruel joke, but I nodded, not letting my true feelings show. "Of course. I'd be honored."
The day of the baby shower arrived, and I walked into the lavish venue carrying a large, intricately designed cake. The room was filled with investors, family, and friends, all mingling under the glow of chandeliers. I put on my best smile, moving through the crowd and chatting with the guests, carefully picking out those who could be useful to my plans.
I was determined to stay composed, even as Venus flaunted her happiness. She was the perfect hostess, glowing with pride and stealing glances at Lorde, who stood nearby, looking every bit the doting husband.
As the event went on, I managed to blend in, keeping my emotions in check. But just as I thought I could get through the day without incident, chaos erupted.
A loud explosion shook the room, followed by panicked screams. One of the cakes had detonated, sending frosting, debris, and smoke everywhere. I ducked instinctively, my heart racing as I tried to process what had just happened.
Guests scrambled for the exits, some tripping over overturned chairs. In the chaos, I spotted Venus clutching her belly, her face pale with fear. Lorde was at her side in an instant, guiding her toward safety.
I stood frozen, my mind racing. This wasn't part of the plan! Someone else had just turned this baby shower into a battlefield - and I had no idea who it was.
The only question baffling inside my head was, "WHO?"
