Chapter 3 Unexpected departure

Olivia Grace's body felt weaker with every step. Cold sweat drenched her temples as she rushed, head down, toward the restroom of the luxurious shopping mall, one hand covering her mouth, fighting the urge to vomit everything out.

The moment she entered a stall, she dropped to her knees in front of the toilet and threw up violently. Her stomach emptied itself mercilessly-for the third time today, maybe more. Her whole body trembled.

"What's happening to me?" she whispered between shallow breaths. "I wasn't even feeling sick before."

Her hands trembled as she splashed cold water on her face at the sink. The mirror reflected a pale face, tired eyes. Her makeup had all but disappeared, making her look even more exhausted than she already felt.

Her stomach was still churning, but this time, it wasn't just physical. Her mind was in turmoil. Everything from the night before played in loops- the birthday party that wasn't hers, the guilty look in Hunter's eyes, and Ethan, the man from her past, who had suddenly returned. It all felt like a nightmare that refused to end.

With weak steps, Olivia left the restroom and booked a taxi. Her destination was clear-a nearby hotel. She couldn't go home. Not to the house where her husband had humiliated her. She needed space. She needed time to think.

At the hotel, she went straight to the front desk and booked a room. No need for many words-her face said it all. Once inside, she immediately ordered a pregnancy test via express delivery. Something inside her-a gut feeling, maybe her woman's instinct-told her this nausea wasn't just from stress.

She sat at the edge of the bed, gently cradling her stomach, which still felt off. "Please don't make this harder, God..." she whispered.

It didn't take long. The test arrived. With shaking hands, Olivia took the box into the bathroom. Every second felt like an hour as she waited, sitting on the cold tile floor.

Two lines.

Clear. Bold.

Two red lines that shook Olivia's world to its core.

Her lips parted. Her hand flew to cover her mouth, stifling a sob. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks.

"No way..." she whispered. "I'm pregnant...?"

Her sobs broke free-not from joy, but devastation.

Three years married to Hunter Jackson. Three years of pain and betrayal. And now, when their marriage was crumbling, when she couldn't even bear to look at him-God had placed a baby inside her.

"Why now...?" Olivia wrapped her arms around her knees. "Why not when we still loved each other...?"

Tears kept falling. She felt completely shattered. How could she raise this child amidst a broken marriage? Especially when the man who fathered it... was out there enjoying another woman's company.

---

Meanwhile, in another hotel room, Hunter Jackson chuckled as he leaned back against the headboard. Beside him, Sophia Joy stretched languidly beneath a thin sheet.

"You're incredible, Hunter..." Sophia purred, playfully tracing his chest with her fingers.

Hunter smirked lazily. "I needed a distraction. Olivia's been driving me insane."

Sophia leaned her head against his chest. "She must've been crushed seeing you with me last night. But she deserved it, didn't she?"

"She left me for Ethan. In front of everyone!" Hunter clenched his fist. "She chose him, then had the nerve to talk about divorce."

Sophia looked up, her gaze sharp. "Are you really ready to let her go? If she's pregnant, that child could be your family's heir."

Hunter scoffed. "Olivia's not pregnant. We've been married for three years and she's never conceived. She's probably infertile."

Sophia smiled faintly. "But... what if you're wrong?"

Hunter fell silent.

---

Back at the hotel, Olivia sat on the balcony, staring at the city lights. The pregnancy test was still in her hand. Her feelings were a storm-fear, confusion, heartbreak.

"I can't tell Hunter..." she whispered.

She knew that if Jackson found out, he'd use the baby. Or worse-trap her in the marriage she desperately wanted to escape.

But she also knew hiding it too long would only complicate things. Especially now that the media was buzzing with rumors about her and Ethan after the incident at the party. Word spreads fast, and Hunter's world revolved around reputation.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.

"I know your secret. Don't even think about hiding that pregnancy from Hunter, or I'll leak it to every media outlet."

Olivia jumped. Her heart pounded. Her hands trembled as she typed back.

"Who are you?"

No reply.

"This can't be happening... who knows I'm pregnant?" she panicked.

She had only bought the test hours ago. No one else knew. Unless... the delivery guy?

In a panic, Olivia called Ethan.

"Olivia?" his voice came through, concerned.

"I... I need your help," she blurted. "I'm pregnant, Ethan. And someone knows."

Silence.

"Where are you?" Ethan asked, serious now.

"The Grand Aurelia Hotel. Room 1812."

"I'm on my way. Don't go anywhere."

Click.

Olivia hugged herself tightly, her breaths shallow. She didn't know who her enemy was now. But she knew one thing for sure-Hunter Jackson couldn't be the first to find out about her pregnancy.

Because if he did... he would use the baby to trap her in the life she hated.

---

Back in his hotel room, Hunter walked to the minibar, poured himself a drink, and stared at the glass in his hand. Sophia's words echoed in his mind.

What if she really is pregnant...?

He tried to recall the last few weeks. Yes... he and Olivia had been intimate more than usual. And she had seemed tired, nauseous...

His eyes narrowed.

He grabbed his phone and dialed someone.

"Find Olivia. And figure out what she's hiding from me."

---

Ethan arrived at the hotel in under thirty minutes. He took the elevator to the 18th floor and knocked on room 1812 with urgency.

When Olivia opened the door, he could see it all in her face-exhaustion, fear, heartbreak.

"I'm scared, Ethan..." she whispered.

Ethan stepped in, his eyes filled with concern. "Who knows about your pregnancy?"

"I don't know... I haven't told anyone. But someone's threatening to leak it."

Ethan sighed. "You need to get out of here, Liv. Come with me for a while. I can protect you."

Olivia shook her head. "I can't. If I go with you, Hunter will think I've run off with you. He'll come after my baby."

Ethan took her hand gently. "Then what's your plan? Keep this baby a secret forever?"

Tears welled up again. "I don't even have a plan, Ethan. I just... want this baby to be safe. I want to be far from Jackson."

Ethan took a deep breath. "Alright. I'll protect you. But you have to be honest with me. If you want out, I'll get you out of the country tomorrow morning. We'll arrange everything."

Olivia looked into his eyes. He was still the same-calm, steady, always knowing how to comfort her.

She wanted to say yes.

But before she could, someone pounded on the door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Olivia Grace. Open the door. I know you're in there."

The voice froze her blood.

Hunter Jackson.

Olivia looked at Ethan, panic in her eyes.

"He knows I'm here... How?"

Ethan walked to the door. "Stay calm. I'll handle this."

But the moment he opened the door-

Hunter barged in and punched him hard in the face!

Olivia screamed. Ethan stumbled, blood on his lip.

Hunter stepped closer, eyes blazing.

"You're pregnant, aren't you?" he hissed.

Olivia froze. Her eyes widened. Her lips trembled.

"Don't lie. I know everything. And from now on... you're not going anywhere, Olivia."