Come With Me, Rejected Wife

Arabella Hopkins had lost count of the number of times she had broken inside.

This was now the third procedure she was undergoing to try to conceive a child, in addition to several fertility treatments that had yielded no results.

The doctor meticulously examined the sonograms, while her husband squeezed her hand tightly. Both held their breath, waiting for an answer.

"It didn't work this time either. I'm sorry, Mrs. Hopkins ," the doctor said, looking them directly in the eyes.

Arabella pressed her lips together. She remained silent for a few moments and then forced a smile laden with sadness.

"What does that mean? There was no insemination?"

The doctor shook his head, with a serious and compassionate expression.

Fernando Donovan, her husband of five years, could not meet her gaze when they heard the diagnosis; his expression of disappointment wounded her deeply.

"Doctor... could we try again?" she asked in desperation.

"Arabella , your body is not ready yet. You need to recover from the last procedures. We must wait at least a couple of months," he replied firmly.

"You heard the doctor, honey. Let's go home, you need to rest, my love, your health is the most important thing," Fernando got up from the desk and held out his hand to her.

Arabella nodded without saying anything more. She left the office with Fernando, willing to wait that time. The days were long and filled with anxiety.

However, the long-awaited day arrived. Arabella got ready as usual and went to the living room.

"Fernando, are you ready, my love?" she asked, confused to see him holding a small suitcase.

"Arabella , my love, I can't go with you today. An urgent business trip came up; they require my presence in a couple of hours outside the city."

"A business trip, just today? Fernando, my love, it's a very important day."

Fernando walked over to her and hugged her tightly against his chest, kissing her on the head.

"I know, my love, and I know everything will be just fine. This time we'll be victorious. Forgive me for not being able to go with you, but I can ask my mother to go for me, can't I? I love you very much, Arabella , you're the most important woman in my life."

Arabella swallowed hard and shrugged.

"No, Fernando, I can go alone."

However, everything seemed to conspire against her.

When everything was ready to start, she began to sneeze forcefully, and her nose turned red. A sudden flu came over her, canceling her appointment and postponing it for two days.

Arabella shrieked, frustrated, but waited impatiently for those two days. She couldn't sleep. She felt a premonition lodged in her chest, convinced that this time would be the one, that she would finally get pregnant.

But everything changed as soon as she arrived at the hospital.

She was holding the artificial insemination documents firmly in her hands, ready to hand them over, when the scene in front of her took her breath away. The papers fell to the floor with a thud.

Fernando was tenderly caressing the belly of his secretary, Mariana Eslava. The young blonde, with a charming smile and mischievous eyes, looked at him with complicity. It was a sharp blow to the heart. Arabella couldn't utter a single word. She stood there, paralyzed, as a tear silently slid down her cheek.

"No... it's not true," she whispered, barely audible.

Fernando saw her out of the corner of his eye. Noticing her motionless expression, he let go of Mariana and approached her in a hurry.

"Arabella , my love... What are you doing here?"

"Fernando..." was all she could manage to say. Her lips were trembling.

"My love, really, everything has an explanation. It's not what you think. Mariana is just my secretary."

Suddenly, Mariana appeared in the hallway, nervously caressing her belly.

"Fernando, the doctor already called for us... please, come with me. I'm afraid something is wrong with our baby."

Our baby?

A flush ignited Arabella 's cheeks. It was as if she had been punched. She reacted instantly and grabbed his arm with force.

"What do you mean, 'our baby'? Fernando, what the hell is going on here?!"

Arabella demanded answers. Fernando, flustered, forced a smile.

"Please, my love... let me explain everything at home, when you're calmer, okay? Now let me go, I have to leave."

"No! Damn it, Fernando!" Arabella held on to him even tighter.

Fernando gently freed himself from her grasp and looked at Mariana.

"I told you, Arabella . We'll talk at home."

He let go of her hand without looking at her again and left with Mariana. Perfectly aware of who Arabella was, she gave her an arrogant and defiant look before entering the doctor's office with him.

Arabella didn't stop crying the entire way home. Her heart ached as if it were shattered. Fernando, her husband, the man she loved, was betraying her... and she knew she couldn't forgive him.

Upon arriving, consumed by fury and despair, she began to pack her bags. But in the midst of the chaos, she fell to her knees. Her soul broke as she remembered everything they had lived through.

When she met him, Fernando had nothing. He was an entrepreneur full of dreams, with just enough to get started. And she, who came from an influential family, with a powerful father and an arranged marriage with Eduard Hostings, decided to risk everything for love. She even decided to run away with Fernando. Since then, she had lost all contact with her family.

With a broken heart, she continued to pack what little dignity she had left. She went downstairs in a rage, determined to leave. She was about to open the door when it opened from the outside.

Fernando had arrived... and he wasn't alone. His parents were with him.

"My love! Arabella , what do these suitcases mean?" he asked, seemingly distressed.

"You're shameless! I'm leaving this house. I never want to hear from you again. I'll talk to my lawyers to handle the divorce," Arabella spat, her voice broken but firm. She tried to open the door, but Fernando stopped her again.

"Please, my love, I told you everything has an explanation. Calm down... it's not what you think."

"I don't think it, Fernando, I saw it with my own eyes!"

Marlene, her mother-in-law, approached with that false sweetness that had always made her uncomfortable. She gently took Arabella 's arms and tried to restrain her.

"I know how you feel, dear... but listen to my son. Fernando has an explanation that can give you peace of mind. Sometimes, as women, we tend to think the worst... but please, just listen to him."

Arabella angrily dropped the suitcase and collapsed onto the living room sofa. She buried her face in her hands, trying to understand how she had gotten to this point.

Fernando cautiously approached, sat down next to her, and spoke in a low voice, trying not to hurt her anymore.

"Arabella , Mariana has always been in love with me... ever since we hired her as a secretary."

Arabella remained silent, barely looking him in the eyes.

"It's true. I rejected her many times. But... do you remember the party we had for the employees? That night, Mariana put something in my drink. I don't remember anything after that. I was completely unconscious."

"What are you talking about, Fernando?"

Fernando lowered his gaze, filled with guilt and remorse.

"That night... I slept with her. She got pregnant. But I swear, my love, I didn't know what I was doing, I was unconscious! It was all a mistake!"

Marlene nodded in silence, her gesture supporting every word her son said.

"And you really expect me to believe you?" Arabella looked at him with disgust.

"Yes, my love... because I feel nothing for her. Nothing. The only thing that matters to me is you."

"Then why were you going to her checkups? Why did you leave with her and leave me alone?"

"Because... it's my child who's on the way. And even though we didn't plan it this way, I reached an agreement with Mariana. I told her I wouldn't press charges if she would let me have the baby."

"What did you say?"

"Yes, my love... we've been trying for years. Not even in vitro fertilization worked. Maybe... this is the opportunity we've been waiting for. As soon as the baby is born, he'll be ours. Mariana will leave the country and won't work for us again."

Fernando's words sounded cold, almost mechanical, as if he had rehearsed it all. Arabella found it hard to believe that this man was the same one she had loved so much.

"No! This is insane! You can't be serious. That woman... she can't have a child with you. That baby shouldn't be born!"

Marlene approached with a conciliatory gesture, trying to calm her.

"Arabella , please... we're talking about an innocent life," Marlene pleaded. "A child who's coming into this world to bring us joy. Do you want to force Mariana to have an abortion? My goodness, I didn't know we had a killer in the family. You're going to drive me crazy...!" Marlene brought a hand to her forehead, pretending she was about to faint.

Arabella couldn't comprehend what she was hearing. She was still in shock, looking at everyone with disbelief. Then, George, Fernando's father, approached in a solemn tone.

"That baby is a Hostings. He carries our blood. We can't turn our backs on him now. You can be his mother, Arabella . You'll be able to fulfill your dream. Can you imagine the joy of holding him in your arms?"

Arabella bit her lower lip, holding back her tears, and shook her head, trembling.

"I don't know... I don't know if this is the right thing to do," she murmured before breaking into sobs.

Fernando gently approached her, took her hand, and with his other hand, lifted her face.

"Listen to me, my love," he said, convinced that she loved him. "Please... accept this opportunity. We can be a family, a complete one, just as we've always dreamed."

His eyes were full of supplication as he watched her. And suddenly, something inside her broke... or perhaps she held on tightly to the little that remained of the love she felt for him. She smiled weakly, filled with nostalgia.

"Okay... I agree to be the mother of that child," she whispered, even as a deep unease twisted in her heart.

Fernando smiled with relief, hugged her tightly, and showered her with kisses, asking for her forgiveness over and over again.

"I swear everything will go back to how it was. We'll be the same married couple as always, I promise."

Arabella nodded, moved, clinging to an illusion.

"We're going to be happy, my love. With our son. You are and always will be the love of my life," Fernando whispered in her ear.

Arabella was in her art studio when, looking out the window, she was surprised to see a moving truck parked at the villa next to her house. Intrigued, she went outside just as Fernando arrived in his car, following the truck.

Mariana got out of the passenger seat with a suitcase in her hand. Arabella couldn't hold back and ran toward them.

"Fernando, what is all this?" she asked, pointing to Mariana's belongings being unloaded.

"My love, how are you?" he replied, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "I've brought Mariana to live in the villa they're renting. The doctor told us it's a high-risk pregnancy, and it's important that we can keep an eye on the baby at all times."

"But you should have consulted with me first. We're supposed to both make the decisions about our future child," Arabella snapped, her tone full of reproach, noticing that the relationship between her husband and his secretary wasn't as distant as he had claimed.

At that moment, Mariana appeared with a bag full of things. When their eyes met, Fernando smiled tenderly at her, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Can I help you?" he asked, hurrying toward her.

Arabella watched them in silence for a few seconds, then turned around and went back to the mansion.

In the following days, Mariana seemed to live at the mansion, not the villa next door. She spent most of her time with Fernando, and he even drove her to work every morning.

One of those mornings, Mariana arrived just in time for breakfast.

"Good morning, everything looks so good. Can I sit down to eat?" she asked with enthusiasm.

Arabella dropped her fork, uncomfortable, while Fernando got up to pull out a chair for her.

"Of course, I'll have Clarisa prepare you some eggs," he said naturally.

Arabella remained silent. She wiped her mouth with her napkin and stopped eating. Fernando, on the other hand, continued as if nothing were wrong. A few minutes later, he looked at his watch and got up in a hurry.

"I have to go; I'm running late."

Mariana immediately stood up and faced him. Confidently, she adjusted his tie, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Have a good day, Fernando."

Arabella 's mouth fell open in surprise, and she shot up from her seat.

"What's with all this affection? Am I invisible or what?" she exclaimed, agitated, after seeing the scene.

But Fernando only smiled calmly, not thinking it was a big deal.

"Arabella , my love, what's wrong? Don't be so dramatic, don't say things like that. Mariana is just saying goodbye," Fernando said, trying to downplay the moment.

"She doesn't have to kiss you. It's absurd," Arabella glared at both of them, furious.

"You know, my love, Mariana is pregnant. She's a little sensitive, which makes her more... affectionate," he added, shrugging.

Arabella shook her head, incredulous.

"By the way, my love," Fernando approached and kissed her cheek, "it's not necessary for you to come with me to the auction tonight. I'll see you at home. Goodbye."

"But, Fernando..." Arabella tried to protest, but he was already leaving without looking back.

A satisfied smile spread across Mariana's lips. Noticing her expression, Arabella knew it instantly-something was not right.

That night, without saying anything to Fernando, she decided to show up at the auction in secret.

When the event began, her heart skipped a beat when she saw the first item being auctioned: a relic she knew all too well. It was her mother's solid gold necklace, the one that had disappeared years ago when her stepmother sold all of her belongings after moving into her house.

Without a second thought, Arabella raised her paddle to make a bid.

"One thousand from the lady with the scarf! Who will give more?" the auctioneer announced with enthusiasm.

Across the room, another paddle was raised, doubling the bid. Arabella frowned. She wasn't willing to lose, not again, not that necklace. She tried again, raising the bid. But the same bidder responded immediately, raising the amount even more, frustrating her completely.

When the bid exceeded the money she had with her, she got up, determined. She had to see who this stubborn buyer was. And then she saw him.

Sitting next to his capricious secretary, was Fernando. It was him. He was the one who was bidding over and over again to win the necklace... to give it to her.

"Fernando," Arabella muttered through gritted teeth, feeling rage rise in her chest.

Seeing her, Fernando hurried over.

"Arabella , what are you doing here? I told you not to come to the auction."

"Of course! Because Mariana was coming. What the hell is wrong with you, Fernando? And why do you want my mother's necklace? You knew perfectly well that I've been looking for it for years," she let out, furious, her fists clenched.

"My love... I completely forgot. How was I supposed to remember that was your mother's necklace? Honey, please, calm down..."

"It's my mother's necklace! I want it with me! You can take the damn money from the family account, but that necklace is mine. I won't lose it again." Arabella 's voice trembled, but not with fear... but with indignation.

"Arabella , my love, you have to let go of the past. Your mother is no longer with us, and I doubt she'd be bothered that Mariana is the one wearing the necklace now. The only thing that matters is our child, who will be born soon."

"No, Fernando. It's a very valuable piece to me. You know how much I've cried over that necklace. It's the only thing I could have recovered from my mother; you can't do this to me."

"My love, please, think about our baby. Pregnant women often have cravings and whims, and if they aren't satisfied, it could affect their health... even the baby's. Mariana really wants that necklace. She asked me for it as a special favor. She says it would make her very happy."

"Oh, please, Fernando!" Arabella exclaimed, a lump in her throat.

"Honey, for the good of her pregnancy... and especially for our son's, just drop it. It's not worth arguing about."

Arabella turned pale. Fernando had a natural ability to manipulate her, and if you added the fake tears Mariana shed with apparent humility, it was impossible not to feel betrayed. She felt herself breaking inside.

"I can't believe it, Fernando. I'm your wife! We've been together for years... What is all this?" she yelled, finally losing control and, fed up with everything, she slapped him.

Fernando took a deep breath and ran a hand over his face.

"Arabella , please, don't make a scene in front of everyone. It's not necessary. Calm down and go home, okay?" he said coldly, without even looking at her, leaving her standing in the middle of the crowd as he went back to Mariana's side.

Everything shifted under her feet. She watched her husband walk away... and for the first time, he felt like a complete stranger. At that moment, she understood with heart-wrenching clarity: she was no longer important in that relationship.