Chapter 1 BEHIND THE UNION

Behind the Union

"You're pregnant, Mrs. Anderson. Seven weeks. We still need to run some tests, but I'll refer you to our specialist for proper care. Congratulations, Mrs. Anderson," the doctor said before leaving the room.

Her ears felt like they might burst from the ringing, yet she managed to leave the doctor's office. She ignored the nurse's worried glances.

She stormed out, her hands trembling as she clutched the test results. Her heart pounded, a frantic drum against her ribs. She'd tried to appear calm in front of the doctor, but inside, everything was chaos.

She'd gone to the hospital thinking it was just a headache and some mild weakness. But the news she received was shocking and disorienting-she was pregnant. Nathaniel's child was growing inside her.

It felt like a heavy truck had hit her; the weight of the situation was almost suffocating. Her vision blurred with unshed tears as she hurried down the long hospital corridor.

How will I face this? What am I going to do now?

One moment of weakness, one fleeting bad decision-and now, a life was growing inside her.

The thought of Nathaniel made the weight even heavier. The memory of his repeated scorn was painful. She didn't know how he would react to this news, and she didn't know if he even felt anything for her anymore.

"Fuck... will he even want this child? Will he blame me for the complete collapse of our already fragile marriage?"

Leaning against the cold hospital wall, Elara felt the weight of the world pressing down on her. It was too heavy, almost unbearable. She didn't know how she would go on from here.

She and Nathaniel were married-but not for love. She'd known that from the start. She needed someone by her side, someone to help her as she built her own name in the industry. And Elara? A familiar face from their university days, someone easily caught in his trap.

They married, but she knew it wasn't like a typical marriage. There was no love-or if there was, it was one-sided.

She'd long felt used by Nathaniel, but she'd stubbornly convinced herself that she had value in his life. That somehow, he cared for her. But now? She realized just how wrong she was.

Her phone vibrated, and when she looked at the screen, the name she'd long wanted to forget appeared-Nathaniel.

She forced herself to calm down before answering. "Where are you?" he asked coldly. "There are some documents you need to sign. I need them now."

Elara swallowed. Was this always going to be like this? Emotionless, uncaring. She felt like an employee in a company where she was the product.

She took a deep breath before answering, "I'm outside."

"Well, might as well run back here to the office. I don't have all day, Elara."

His cold tone crushed her. Despite everything, why did she still hope things would be different? Why did fate seem to punish her for loving a man who never had a heart for her?

She felt her chest tighten again. In an instant, all the pain she'd been suppressing threatened to explode.

Elara hesitated to tell Nathaniel about her pregnancy. She didn't know what his reaction would be, and she was even more terrified of the possibility that he wouldn't care.

What if he gets angry? What if he says he doesn't want this child-that what happened between them was a mistake, just like their marriage?

So many questions haunted her, weighing heavily on her chest like a brewing storm. The fact that she was pregnant was enough to disturb her mind, and now, she couldn't even imagine how she would face it.

She started to overthink, sinking into a dark space she knew was dangerous for her. She tried to formulate the right words in her mind.

"Are you okay?" Nathaniel asked on the other line, a hint of concern in his voice.

She was slightly surprised. There was a warmth in his tone-a trace of concern she rarely heard from him. A small spark of hope flickered in her heart.

Maybe I can try? Should I tell him?

There was a long silence on the other line. Elara tried to swallow her nervousness, but she still didn't know how to begin.

If I tell him about the baby, will he accept it? Will everything change between us?

A strong curse threatened to escape her lips. You're so stupid, Elara! She had been so careless. She should have been more cautious. She already knew how difficult her life was with Nathaniel-and now, a child would be added to the mix.

"C'mon, Elara. I don't have all day. I'm a busy man and I can't wait around for you all day," he said irritably.

She closed her eyes, bit her lip, and prayed silently. She had to be brave-now.

But before she could speak, she heard a woman's voice on the other line.

"Nathaniel, darling, who are you talking to?"

The woman's voice was sweet, too familiar to Elara. She felt her body go cold.

Shaira.

Her heart stopped.

What did you expect, Elara?

Of course, Shaira. The woman who was always there before she came into Nathaniel's life. The woman he loved then, and apparently still loved.

Only a second passed, but it felt like years to Elara.

And before she could process the pain she felt, the call ended. She was left staring at her phone screen, listening to the lifeless dial tone.

"Fuck..." Shit -

She put a hand to her forehead, trying to hold back the tears.

What was I thinking? That he cared about me?

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. She stared at the ceiling and shook her head.

"You're so stupid, Elara. Look what you've gotten yourself into."

Several people in the hospital were looking at her, but she ignored them. She forced herself to stand and straightened her posture. She had to be strong.

Leaving the hospital, she went straight to her car. She tried to calm herself, but she felt the weight of the secret she carried.

Should I tell him? Or should I keep it to myself?

Uncertainty gnawed at her.

She didn't realize how long she had been sitting in the car. She composed herself before finally driving to Nathaniel's office.

When she arrived, she didn't see Nathaniel. Instead, she was met by his secretary carrying a thick stack of papers.

"Ma'am, these are the documents you need to sign. Sir Nathaniel said it needs to be done immediately."

Something caught in her throat. She forced herself to take the papers and didn't dare look up. She didn't want anyone to see the tears welling up in her eyes.

Of course. He should be with Shaira. He didn't even wait for me.

Returning to her desk, she let out a heavy sigh.

She felt her chest tighten. Her feelings were starting to overwhelm her.

She looked at the documents Nathaniel wanted her to sign. With so much on her mind, she couldn't bring herself to go back to their house that night. She didn't think she could face Nathaniel's cold presence-especially now that she knew he had another woman.

In the end, she decided to go home to the apartment Nathaniel had given her when they got married. She didn't go there often, but tonight, she needed to be alone.

But when she arrived, she was slapped with a harsher reality.

When she opened the door, she saw Nathaniel and Shaira-sitting on the sofa together, eating, laughing.

They seemed oblivious to the world.

They looked like a married couple. As if she didn't belong.

"What's going on?" Elara asked, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "What is she doing here? No. Scratch that. What are you two doing here?"

Nathaniel stood up, clearly surprised by her sudden arrival. Elara almost laughed at his expression.

What? Didn't he expect me to come to my own apartment?

Or maybe this isn't the first time he's brought Shaira here?

That thought made her blood boil.

"Oh, Elara, I thought you'd be home late," he said casually, clearly trying to hide the nervousness in his voice. "I didn't expect you to come here. I thought you'd go home to our house."

He and Shaira exchanged glances, but her eyes quickly returned to Nathaniel.

"Why is she here, Nathan?"

This was her place. Her safe space. And she wasn't willing to share it with anyone-especially Shaira.

This apartment was a gift from Nathan, but the moment he gave it, it became hers.

Not Nathan's.

And definitely not Shaira's.

But now... they were here.

She felt her chest tighten.

It hurt.

And she knew that in the next few moments, she wouldn't be able to hide that pain anymore.