Chapter 1 Betrayal

"What? Are these results accurate?" Elena exclaimed, her eyes widening as she glanced frantically between the doctor and the test results in her hand.

Doctor Sinclair offered a reassuring smile before responding.

"Absolutely, Elena! You're pregnant! Congratulations!" she confirmed, explaining how their laboratory scientists were meticulous with all sample testing.

"Our patients' wellbeing is our highest priority."

Elena couldn't contain her joy. She leapt from her seat and rushed to embrace the doctor sitting across from her.

"Thank you, Doctor. You have no idea how much this means to me."

The physician had to gently disentangle herself from Elena's enthusiastic grip to avoid being choked.

Realizing her overexuberance, Elena said, "I'm sorry... I'm just... you know!"

"Hush now! Go share the wonderful news with your husband. This achievement belongs to both of you, not me," Doctor Sinclair interjected as Elena stumbled over her words.

With a heart overflowing with gratitude and happiness, Elena practically skipped down the hallway toward the parking lot.

She had completely forgotten her weakness from earlier that day, her mind filled with visions of a baby's cries echoing through their home.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" her driver inquired, puzzled by her evident elation.

"Yes, take me directly to my husband's office. I need to share this wonderful news with him!" Elena instructed, her lips curving into a broad smile.

The driver nodded and started the vehicle. From the backseat, Elena lowered the windows. She wished she could fly to her husband's office immediately-the news was burning to be shared.

While imagining her husband's reaction, the celebration he might throw, and how the family would rejoice, she drifted off to sleep.

"Ma'am! We've arrived!" The driver's voice pulled her back to reality.

"Oh, we got here sooner than I expected!" she said, covering for having fallen asleep.

She greeted every staff member she encountered while making her way to the CEO's office.

Her husband, Carlos Jones, was CEO of J-tech Group, a company founded by his late father. As the sole successor, Carlos had assumed leadership with guidance from his mother.

"Where's Vivian?" Elena wondered aloud when she reached the secretary's desk and found it vacant.

But headed to her husband's office regardless.

As she was about to open her husband's door, a voice halted her.

"Excuse me, ma'am! Who are you looking for?"

Elena turned, expecting the staff member to recognize her as the CEO's wife.

"I'm here to see my husband. Who are you? I don't recognize you," Elena asked the unfamiliar woman.

"I apologize, ma'am. I'm the new secretary. I just started a few days ago," the young woman quickly explained.

"New secretary?" This struck Elena as odd. Her friend Vivian had been her husband's secretary, and neither Carlos nor Vivian had mentioned any staffing changes. They typically discussed everything happening at the office.

"Well, nice to meet you," Elena responded after a moment's consideration, making a mental note to ask Carlos about this later.

She proceeded into the office. Carlos's spacious workplace included an inner room where he relaxed after long work periods.

His desk was empty, suggesting he was in the inner room.

"Perfect place to share my news!" she thought.

But then she heard voices from within, celebratory voices.

"Congratulations, Vivian! I knew you would make this family proud! Come, sit beside me!"

The voice was unmistakable, it belongs to Rita, Carlos's mother.

"Why is she congratulating Vivian? What has she done? And why are they celebrating behind closed doors instead of with the staff?" Elena wondered as she approached the room quietly.

"Come on, mother! That's exactly what you said about Elena!" Carlos's voice carried through the door.

Elena froze at the mention of her name. If they were discussing her, this couldn't be company-related, as Carlos had never allowed her to work for the family business.

"Can you stop mentioning that barren woman? She's been married to you for over four years without producing an heir-not even a miscarriage!" Rita's scornful voice taunted.

"What?" Elena whispered, covering her mouth to silence herself.

She waited for her husband's customary defense of her.

"I know she's barren. I don't even love her-I'm only keeping her because of her mother," Carlos replied.

Elena felt her body grow heavy, her legs weakening. She trembled as tears threatened to spill over.

"That sick, poor old woman? Why do you even care about her? She couldn't have children herself and was unfortunate enough to adopt a child without a womb," Vivian added.

"Vivian? Carlos? What's happening?" Elena silently questioned, wiping tears away and fighting to control her breathing so they wouldn't detect her presence.

"That family is cursed!" Carlos declared, followed by thunderous laughter that the others quickly joined.

After the room quieted, Rita spoke again. "Thank you once more, Vivian, for bringing alive the hope of this family towards having an heir. My husband would be pleased wherever he is."

"Vivian is pregnant? With Carlos's child?" Elena cried out, momentarily forgetting where she stood.

"Someone's at the door!" Vivian rose from her seat, clearly having heard a voice outside.

"Stop right there, Vivian! From now on, you're not allowed to do anything on your own! Remember, you're carrying our heir in your womb!" Rita commanded, blocking Vivian from reaching the door.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Elena slipped out from behind the door and quickly hid behind an ornate indoor plant. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

Carlos opened the door, glanced briefly around the office, using his eyes to search the place, he saw that everything was exactly as he left it, then closed the door and returned inside.

Without hesitation, Elena bolted from her hiding spot and fled the office, running as fast as her legs could carry her.

She didn't see the secretary on her way out, she silently thanked her luck before leaving the building.

"How did it go?" the driver asked with a smile, surprised to see her alone and the initial happiness gone.

"Is the CEO not here?" he added, following up on his earlier question.