Chapter 1 BETRAYAL

Mabella's POV

I sat on the hospital bed, my fingers lightly grazing the fabric of my medical gown. The scent of disinfectant filled the air, mingling with the beeping of machines monitoring patients in the ward.

I had always hated hospitals, the coldness of their walls, the sound the fluorescent lights made like distant whispers.

Dr. Emerson, a woman with brown eyes, smiled at me as she set down a clipboard on the table beside the bed.

"Mrs. Mabella," she said, her voice gentle yet firm, "I have the results of your tests."

I inhaled deeply, bracing myself. I had come in for what I thought was my routine checks after feeling lightheaded and nauseous constantly for some days. I hadn't expected anything serious -- at most, exhaustion from overworking and planning business strategies for my husband.

Dr. Emerson's eyes softened as she said, "You're pregnant."

The words echoed in my ears, slow. For a second, I thought I had misheard.

"Pregnant?" I repeated, barely above a whisper.

"Yes," Dr. Emerson nodded. "You're around six weeks along."

My hand pressed on my abdomen, my breath hitched in my throat. A baby? My baby? My heart pounded, a storm of emotions crashing over me.

I'm Confused on how to feel at the moment if to feel joyful or shocked.

I have spent Three years in this marriage, quietly loving Williams, supporting him, believing that one day, we would truly be a family. And now, a child. Our child.

Tears formed in my eyes, a wave of happiness swelling in my chest. I had spent so long wondering if Williams truly loved me. Perhaps this baby would bring us closer and mend the invisible cracks I sometimes felt in our relationship.

My lips trembled as I let out a shaky laugh. "A baby," I whispered.

Dr. Emerson smiled at her reaction. "Yes, and you seem to be in good health. But given your recent fatigue and low blood pressure, you'll need to take extra care of yourself. Less stress, proper rest, and a good diet."

I nodded absentmindedly, my mind already racing ahead.

Williams. I needed to tell him.

For so long, I had watched other women in love -- how their husbands would cradle their growing bellies, whisper sweet words to their unborn children, promise them the world. Would Williams do the same? Would he be happy? Ofcourse he will. I chuckled

I mean, who wouldn't be happy to be a parent after four years in marriage? And I believe this child will carry my husband's kindness.

I am really happy for the husband I'm blessed with.

I could remember how I met him after a heated argument with my stepmother, I stumped out of the house in anger.

FLASH BACK

Gripping the steering wheel, driving aimlessly down the Milan streets, My hands tightened around the steering wheel. My heart pounded, and my stepmother's words kept echoing in my head like it was trying to build a house there.

But as I was about to turn onto a quieter road, my car suddenly hooked. Smoke began to rise from under the hood, followed by a burning smell.

"Oh, come on," I muttered, steering to the side of the road

Before I could react, flames flickered From the dashboard.

Panic gripped me as the engine light flashed red. Within seconds, I fumbled with the seatbelt, my fingers shaking as I hit the brakes, stumbling out of the car as the heat intensified.

"Help!" I gasped stepping back, and the flame grew.

Then, out of nowhere, a man appeared.

"Ma'am, please go out from there!" He shouted with concern in his voice

He rushed forward with a fire extinguisher. The flames died under the thick foam, leaving only smoke and the faint scent of wires

Coughing, I looked up at my rescuer. He is tall and lean, his black T-shirt stained with grease and smells faintly of grilled meat. His short brown hair is tousled, and his hazel eyes scanned me with concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his hazel eyes filled with concern.

I coughed, nodding as I tried to catch my breath. "Yes... I think so."

The man exhaled running a hand through his hair. "That was close."

He looked at me intently. "You should go to the hospital. That much smoke isn't good for your lungs."

I wanted to protest, but something about his gentle yet firm behavior made me relent. I blinked, finally taking in my surroundings; a burger truck was parked a few streets away, its side open, and the scent of grilled meat filled the air.

"You... Own that?" I asked, pointing.

He chuckled. "Yeah. Just a business of mine."

Something about his demeanor made me curious. He didn't seem like the type who cared about social status.

"I'm Mabella.... You can call me Bella." I chuckled, stretching out my hand to give a handshake.

The man quickly moved forward and offered a firm handshake. "I'm Williams... Williams Chambers."

And just like that, something clicked in my head.

That night, Williams drove me in his truck to the hospital. While waiting for the doctor, I studied him -- his smile, his simple way of living.

He is different. Uncomplicated

He is simple and kind, the opposite of power-hungry men in my world. For the first time, I felt Maybe this is it -- my escape from the toxic life of torment my stepmother always presented to me.

Maybe he is the answer... The man I should marry.

I married him within months, keeping my identity as the Green family heiress hidden. But I couldn't ignore the reality of his struggling business. Quitely, behind the scenes, since he has qualifications in business administration, I ordered my assistant, Lillian, to invest in his ventures, buy he shares in major companies and push his name into the business world.

And here we are, about to be parents; a full family in glory because Williams had always spoken about wanting a future, a family.

I quickly wiped the tears of joy from my eyes and straightened my posture. "Thank you, Dr. Emerson. I'll make sure to take care of myself."

Dr. Emerson handed me a small ultrasound printout. "Here's your first look at your baby."

My breath hitched as I stared at the tiny, grainy image. A small flicker of life. My baby. A life growing inside me.

Holding tight to the ultrasound, I stood up, my heart light and hopeful. I needed to see Williams immediately.

I barely noticed the drive home. My thoughts were consumed by one thing. "I can't wait to see the excitement on Williams's face when he hears the Good news."

I pulled up my car in the estate parking lot. I inhaled deeply, pressing a hand on my stomach. "This is the moment that will change everything, dear husband." I said with a smile on my face as I stepped into the house.

"Williams?" I called out