Chapter 1 THE CONSEQUENCE

Jasmine's POV

I stared, eyes wide, and jaws dropped at the piece of paper before me. The doctor had no clue what disaster this news could cost me as she dropped it, smiling like I had just won a lottery or something. I was three weeks pregnant!

I covered my mouth to stop the gasp that threatened to escape from my lips. I was unsure of how to react. Should I be happy? But I knew better that happiness was far from me with this news I just received.

My tears rolled freely as his words echoed in my mind.

"If you ever get pregnant, there will be consequences."

His voice had been cold and clear. The weight of his warning was enough to crush me, cause I knew he meant every word.

But how was I supposed to tell him? How was I supposed to confess that I had broken the most important rule of our contract?

My hands trembled as I stared at the ultrasound photo in front of me. The rules were simple and strict. No mess, no complications, no feelings, and above all, no children. I agreed, because what choice do I have? My father was very sick and I needed money to pay his bills. Ethan had money, and he was all I needed.

But now I'm pregnant and everything's falling apart.

My attempt to stop tears from falling proved abortive, as they kept rushing no matter how many times I wiped them. I wasn't crying because I was scared, I was crying because I knew what kind of man Ethan was. He doesn't tolerate disobedience, and he certainly doesn't tolerate surprises.

Standing up, I grabbed the test results and scurried out of the doctor's office. She yelled my name several times but I turned a deaf ear to her.

Getting home, I dropped my bag by the entrance door and headed straight to the bedroom. I stood beside the door for a while, staring at Ethan's sexy chest. It's been three years of marriage but I can't help but feel shy when I see his nakedness.

"What are you thinking about?" Ethan asked, coldly and with a commanding tone.

From as far as I can remember, Ethan never liked me. Not in the way a man should like his wife. To him, our marriage was just a mere contract and he has made it clear from the very beginning.

"I need to talk to you," I began, almost whispering.

Ethan didn't turn around. He only tightened the knot of his tie and reached for his watch on the counter. "Can it wait?" He asked, "I have an important interview today, and I can't be late."

"I know," I replied quickly, grabbing my bag in a rush in an attempt to show him the test results. "But this is important too."

Now he turned and locked his dark eyes into mine, and I could see a mixture of annoyance and impatience "You know I don't have time for this right now," he spat impatiently. "Whatever it is, can't it wait until later? Or is it just another one of your..." He stopped himself, as if even finishing the sentence would waste his time too.

I just..." I hesitated. "I read something in the news this morning, I just wanted to confirm." I lied. " That's all. It's not important. I'll let you go."

"You read something?" he repeated. "And that's what you wanted to talk about? You know what today means, and you chose now to..." He stopped again, shaking his head in disbelief. "You are unbelievable!"

It has always been like this, Ethan never put me first. The only time I get his attention is when he wants to get intimate with me. Afterwards, we live like strangers.

However, just like always, he left without hearing what I had to say.

A few hours later, I was on the couch, the weight of my condition still pressing. I couldn't do anything else, so I turned on the TV, hoping to distract myself with something mindless. But the moment I switched to the news channel, there he was Ethan.

He sat on a polished studio chair, his suit immaculate, his smile sharp and confident as he spoke to the interviewer. For a brief moment, I felt a flicker of pride, even after everything. He was my husband, after all. Maybe I could convince myself the morning didn't matter.

But then the interviewer's next question caught my attention.

"Mr Ethan," the woman said. "The public is curious. How does a man like you balance up with a wife? Or are you still single?"

Ethan chuckled. "Wife?" He repeated. "No, I'm not married. No time for that kind of distraction"

And then he laughed.

I stared at the screen, my eyes widened in shock and my jaw dropped. He didn't have a wife? What was I, then? A ghost? A mistake? A contract he regretted so much he wouldn't even acknowledge it in public?

"No distraction at home, huh?" The interviewer said in a charming voice like she wanted to seduce him.

He gazed towards her and smiled. The woman was dressed in fitted palazzo pants that revealed her curves and a neat blouse that revealed cleavage.

My heart sank as I noticed that Ethan was completely denying me. His attention was focused on that stunning woman.

I stood up abruptly and turned off the TV, my hands trembling with a mix of rage and heartbreak.

"I loved him like crazy!" I cried, my voice echoing with raw emotion. "I gave him my heart, my soul and everything I had! I stayed by his side through every moment of my life and gave him all the support he could ever need!"

I shook my head slowly, sadness creeping into my voice. "But what did I get back?" I whispered bitterly.

"Pain. Nothing but pain. Hatred. And being denied like I was nothing more than a piece of trash."

For the first time in years, a surge of anger consumed me, and I knew that I was ready to shatter the whole place and break his precious interview into pieces.