Chapter 2 COLD RAINY NIGHT

Emma handed the ticket to him, and as he looked at it, he suddenly burst out laughing. Confused, Emma pressed, "What's so funny?"

"Take a closer look Emma,Would you stop embarrassing yourself? You are so thick-skinned, and it's irritating... Your name is right here, Emma Rhema. Are you going to deny it?"Vick yelled at her in anger.

Emma felt her face drop. Snatching the tickets from him, she examined them closely. Her name was indeed printed on them. In the blissful club, one ticket could be bought and used by two people, and the buyer's name was featured prominently. She looked up at Mia and everything dawned on her.

"You played this well, Mia. You bought the ticket with your own money but used my name. Nice one. This only proves what kind of despicable person you are, you have the heart to deal with me so heartlessly, today I really respect your shamelessness".

Mia's expression hardened. "Don't implicate me in your mess, Emma. As your friend, I wouldn't want to push you toward someone else, especially knowing how much it would hurt Vick if he found out. I care about him too deeply to watch him get hurt like that. You didn't love him the way he deserved, and I wouldn't treat him the way you have. It makes me sick."

Emma wanted to defend herself, but a wave of nausea swept over her, prompting her to rush to the bathroom. After vomiting for a while, she emerged looking pale and weak.

Mia clapped mockingly. "Well done, Emma. Gosh... how the mighty have fallen. Are you sure you're okay? You look like you need medical attention."

Leaning against the wall, Emma felt utterly defeated. Vick, standing nearby, felt a pang of pain in his heart. He loved Emma and remembered all the good things she had done for him. Despite her betrayal, he felt the urge to forgive her, especially since he had made mistakes too. He grabbed a glass of water and rushed to support her as she stumbled.

"Are you okay? You look unwell. Mia, can you get the car keys? We should take her to the hospital."

Emma looked at him, feeling an intense mix of love and betrayal. Vick had cheated on her for over a year without her knowledge, and to do so with Mia, her close friend, was a gut-wrenching betrayal. The realization crashed over her; she felt heartbreak deep in her chest.

"I'm fine, Vick... There's no need to pretend like you really care about me. I don't need it; I just want to go home." She was too exhausted to argue any further.

"I knew you wouldn't accept help. After all, you're proud and stubborn," Mia said bitterly.

"Enough, Mia. Stop talking to her like that. She clearly needs help," Vick rebuked her gently, concern etched on his face.

Mia retorted, "It's just... yesterday when I visited you, Emma, I think I saw you being sick in the bathroom sink. Is your stomach upset?"

Emma lashed out, "Don't pretend you care about me. You both betrayed me. I'll be fine. I'm just feeling sick."

"Or... you're just pregnant?" Mia spat out with a hint of malice.

"What?" Emma and Vick exclaimed simultaneously, staring at Mia in shock.

"Come on, don't look at me like I got you in this situation. When a woman is nauseous like that, it could be a sign. And Emma, you haven't mentioned your period this month. You always do," Mia added insidiously. Emma felt her heart sink as the realization hit. She might actually be pregnant, and Mia was certainly right; she used to confide in her about everything, including her menstrual cycle. How could she have trusted her with such details? She can only see it with her eyes now that Mia is such a vile Snake...

Vick saw the dawning shock in Emma's eyes, and his heart hardened. The thought that she could be carrying another man's child filled him with rage. He pulled her up, anger spilling over.

"Let go of me," she protested, but in a moment of frustration, he slapped her. Blood trickled from her lips as she glanced at him, bewildered.

"Did you just hit me?"

"How could you come here with your illegitimate child? How could you do this to me?"

"Really, Vick? I didn't even know!" Emma cried, her voice trembling.

"So, you came here to trap me with your baby? You have failed, thanks to Mia. You've shown your true colors," he seethed. "I'll marry the one who stood by me, who gave herself to me without deceit. How did I miss that you were just using me?" Emma, filled with fury and hurt, slapped him across the face. Mia watched with a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"Don't you dare refer to my child as a bastard. He or she is mine, and I claim that fully. If you've chosen to be with that treacherous snake, a deceitful liar sent to tear us apart and, sadly, has succeeded, then go ahead and be with her. Marry her, if that's what you want. You two deserve each other,".Emma gathered her strength, ready to confront Mia, when Mia rushed in front of Vick.

"Babe, are you okay?" she shot a glare at Emma. "Don't you ever slap my boyfriend in front of me again, you fool!"

In an instant, Emma slapped Mia hard, sending her crashing to the floor and prompting Vick to rush to her side.

"Emma..." he shouted, shocked by her actions. "Mia, remember this: karma has a way of catching up. It's coming for both of you,"

Emma declared darkly.With that, she grabbed her purse and stormed out. Once outside, she was met with torrential rain, a stark reminder of how unprepared she was. She had come here expecting to stay the night and drive to work with him in the morning- what a foolish choice.She reached for her phone to call an Uber, but the battery was dead. At that moment, she felt both laughter and crying at the same time; she yelled loudly, she had lost everything...