"What? How dare she? Does she really think she can cling to the Collins?" Kelly's voice rose sharply as she received the report from a servant at Andrew's grandfather's mansion. She couldn't comprehend why her fiancé's grandfather favored Andrea over her. After all, she came from a wealthy family, studied at a prestigious university overseas, and possessed youth and beauty. She believed she was the complete package compared to her fiancé's ex-wife.
"Are you done?" Andrew impatiently asked, waiting outside the fitting room. They were at a wedding boutique, busy with the fittings. Kelly swiftly ended the call, adjusted her expression, and flashed a smile.
As the curtains gently parted, Kelly emerged, adorned in a breathtaking wedding gown. The seamstress nodded in approval, witnessing the dress flawlessly embrace Kelly's figure.
Andrew's eyes, like glistening stars on a moonlit night, danced with an enchanting blend of tenderness and awe. In that moment, he was spellbound, utterly captivated by the ethereal sight before him. His beloved, Kelly, stood there like a celestial being, her beauty transcending earthly bounds.
The delicate lace of her gown embraced her like a lover's touch, while the shimmering sequins cascaded down its flowing silhouette, reminiscent of stardust adorning a celestial goddess. In that moment, Andrew's heart swelled with a profound sense of gratitude, knowing he was about to embark on a lifelong adventure with the woman who embodied grace, radiance, and everlasting love.
Kelly cleared her throat, her voice filled with anticipation as she asked Andrew, "Babe, what do you think?"
Andrew's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the sight of Kelly in the stunning dress. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he replied with genuine enthusiasm, "Wow, Kelly. You look absolutely breathtaking. I can't even put into words how amazing you look right now. I'm so excited to finally be with you and start our journey together. Tonight, I know I won't be able to sleep a wink, thinking about how lucky I am to have you by my side."
"What hospital?" Chester's complexion paled instantly upon hearing the news on the other end of the line. It was Alyssa, delivering the distressing message that her sister Andrea had been admitted to the hospital due to bleeding.
"How could she have fought a snatcher? Did she forget she's pregnant?" Chester's voice trembled with concern and worry.
Andrew, overhearing the conversation, turned towards Chester. He knew it must be Andrea.
Before Andrew could inquire further, Chester spoke up, "Bro, I have to go."
Andrew wanted to ask about the well-being of his ex-wife, but when he noticed Kelly gazing at him, he hesitated. He didn't want to disappoint his future wife or spoil the moment they were sharing. With a nod towards Chester, he watched as his friend exited through the door.
"What did the doctor say?" Chester immediately turned to Alyssa as he entered the hospital room.
"Thankfully, the baby is safe," Alyssa replied, exhaling a sigh of relief.
Andrea reached out for Chester's arms, assuring him, "I'm alright," and offered a gentle smile.
Chester turned to her, his voice firm as he said, "You shouldn't be smiling right now. You need to prioritize yourself before helping others."
"I will do better next time," Andrea reassured him, her eyes filled with determination. She then turned to her sister and asked, "Why did you call him here? I'm okay."
Alyssa playfully teased, "Should I call your ex-husband next time?"
I couldn't help but agree with Alyssa's observation. It wouldn't be fair to burden Andrew, especially with his busy schedule and the wedding preparations underway. He has moved on and has his own life to attend to now.
The door swung open, and Grandpa Sebastian made his entrance, his assistant gently pushing his wheelchair. I instinctively sat up in bed, but Grandpa motioned for me to rest. "Don't push yourself, my dear. Take the time to rest. I couldn't bear to lose my grandchild."
He took a deep breath, his voice filled with determination. "Now that it has come to this, I want you to move back into Andrew's mansion. Aunt Rosemary will take care of you."
Shock filled our eyes as we processed his command. I was left speechless. How could I possibly move back into my ex-husband's house, especially when he was about to remarry?
"There's no need for that. Please don't worry, Grandpa. My family will take care of me," I insisted, trying to find a way to refuse.
Grandpa's tone turned stern as he countered, "You live in a small apartment, your sister is busy preparing for college exams, and your father is still recovering from the injuries inflicted by gangsters. You have no job, and there's no one to properly take care of you."
As harsh as his words may have seemed, I couldn't deny the truth in them. In our apartment, I woke up early to prepare breakfast for Alyssa before she went to school. My parents relied on me to handle the cooking and cleaning. On top of that, I was busy applying for jobs.
"But..." I began to protest.
"No 'buts'," Grandpa interjected firmly. "Andrew's house is my house, and if need be, I can even kick him out. He is the father of your child, and it's his responsibility to take care of you during your pregnancy."
I took a deep breath, savoring the familiar and welcoming ambiance as I passed through the gate of his mansion. The security guard greeted me with a warm smile, and I returned the gesture, feeling a sense of belonging. Despite only living here for a few months, I had made it a point to be friendly and approachable to everyone, and in turn, they treated me with respect and sought my input on house matters.
As I walked further, a delightful scent of flowers wafted through the air, enveloping me in a comforting embrace. Instead of heading straight for the main door, I decided to take a detour and explore the backyard. There it was, the garden that I had personally designed, now fully realized. The modern pergola stood proudly, providing shade and a cozy atmosphere. The outdoor seating and kitchen area beckoned, inviting relaxation and gatherings. The small pond shimmered with tranquility, while the vegetable garden thrived with colorful produce. The vibrant flowers added a touch of beauty and charm. This was my favorite place in the house, a sanctuary of serenity and fulfillment.
A smile graced my lips as I reminisced about the hard work and dedication we had poured into creating this haven. Each element had been carefully chosen and meticulously arranged. It was a testament to our shared vision and the love we had invested in making this house a true home.
"What are you doing here!" she exclaimed. I turned around and found no one. "How dare you step into this house!" I realize the voice was coming from above. Kelly was on the terrace on the second floor. Her eyes fixed on me and my luggage.
She immediately disappears from my sight. I think she is descending the stairs right now. I prepare myself for the storm coming.
As the back door opens, she rushes towards me, and the sound of a slap reverberates in the air. In an instant, my ears start ringing, and my cheeks turn red from the impact. The pain is so intense that a tear escapes my eye.
In a soft voice, feeling embarrassed for intruding on their peace, I reply, "I will be staying here for the meantime."
Her frustration evident, she questions, "You are already divorced. Why can't you just move on with your life? Do you really have to use the baby to get closer to Andrew?"
Trying to explain, I said, "This is only temporary. I will be moving out after the pregnancy."
Her grip tightens on the collar of my shirt, and with glaring eyes, she accuses me, "How can you be so shameless! You just want to seduce my husband!"
Tears well up in my eyes. Now that I am no longer Andrew's wife, I feel small and powerless. I no longer have the right to stand up against Kelly. I am afraid that I am the one potentially destroying their upcoming marriage.
I gently remove her hands from my shirt's collar. Her words feel like daggers. Being pregnant makes me more sensitive, and her treatment is causing me to question if I can endure staying in this house any longer. I turn my back on her, ready to leave.
As I retraced my steps towards the front gate, the security guard expressed concern upon seeing me. "Young madam, aren't you staying? It's already dark outside. You'll have a hard time finding a ride at this hour."
Shaking my head, I walked out of the gate.
As I gazed into the distance, I spotted the headlights of a car drawing near. I instinctively raised my hand, signaling that I needed a ride. To my relief, a taxi was still available. However, as the car approached and came to a halt in front of me, the bright lights momentarily blinded me. Just as I was about to place my luggage in the trunk, I heard a familiar voice calling out, "Is that you, Andrea?" It turned out that I had mistaken his car for a taxi.
"Husband," I blurted out, my cheeks instantly reddening as I realized what I had said.
Tears began to well up in the corners of my eyes. "I-I'm sorry, Andrew."
Stepping out of his car, he asked, "What are you doing outside at this hour?"
I shook my head, still feeling embarrassed. I decided to start walking, thinking it might be quicker to hail a cab if I walked a little.
He reached for my luggage and asked, "Where are you going?"
"Home."
"This is your home," he stated.
Time seemed to stand still as my heart raced. How could he say that so casually? I'm no longer his wife. I'm no longer a part of his family. How can I consider this house my home?
He cleared his throat and looked away. "Grandpa said you were coming."
"I'm sorry," I murmured, looking down.
His expression changed. "Don't expect me to treat you like a wife! We're already divorced, and I'm marrying the love of my life!"
As I took a deep breath, I came to the realization that Andrew hadn't changed. He was still the same person—rude and constantly irritated with me. Deep inside, I smiled. It wouldn't be awkward between us if he treated me the same. My only concern now is Kelly's attitude. I hope I can survive in this house in the coming months.
I overheard their quarrel in the master's bedroom. Kelly was so upset that she reluctantly allowed me to live in this house again. I'm determined to not be a burden and will make every effort to avoid being in the same space as Kelly, so as not to annoy her with my presence.
It was four in the morning when I woke up early to prepare breakfast. I felt the need to contribute and earn my keep. Aunt Rosemary emerged from her room upon hearing the commotion. "Young madam, it's still early," she remarked.
I offered a faint smile. "I am no longer the madam of this house. Please call me Andrea."
She nodded understandingly. "Are you hungry? Let me prepare breakfast for you. Your grandpa specifically asked me to take care of all your needs."
"I'm not hungry. I'd like to prepare breakfast, if you would allow me," I politely requested.
"Sure, you can," she replied. "Just let me know if you need anything," she added before leaving the kitchen.
I sensed a slight difference in Aunt Rosemary this time. While her voice still carried a tone of strictness and formality, I could feel a sense of leniency and warmth emanating from her.
As Andrew sat at the dining table, he asked Aunt Rosemary in a cold tone, "Where is she?" referring to Andrea. Meanwhile, Kelly remained asleep, unaware of the conversation. Andrew had to wake up early due to a meeting.
Aunt Rosemary responded, "Young madam—I mean, Andrea is back in her room."
"Back? Did she already have her breakfast?" Andrew inquired.
Aunt Rosemary explained, "She woke up early in the morning to prepare this breakfast."
Andrew took a bite of his toast and stated, "Tell her she doesn't need to cook." Aunt Rosemary nodded, a subtle smile forming at the corner of her lips.
The next day, I woke up, and the darkness outside was still enveloping the world. I prepared myself to make breakfast. However, Aunt Rosemary had different plans for me.
"The young master insisted that you refrain from preparing breakfast," Aunt Rosemary informed me, her words piercing my heart with unexpected pain. Did Andrew not enjoy my cooking yesterday? I had always prepared breakfast for him before. Now that we were divorced, couldn't I continue to do the same? Perhaps as a gesture of gratitude for allowing me to reside here?
Aunt Rosemary seemed to sense the disappointment in my eyes and quickly reassured me, "It's not what you think, Andrea. I believe he simply wants you to rest more during your pregnancy."
I nodded, trying to accept her explanation, but deep down, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of offense. It seemed as though Andrew wanted to distance himself from our past, even if it meant not tasting my cooking.
Leaving the house behind, I ventured out into the front yard, seeking comfort in the open space. To my surprise, I encountered a new face diligently cleaning a car.
"Good morning, Ms. Hart," he greeted me with a warm smile. "My name is Robert. The old master sent me here to be your driver."
Realization dawned upon me. Grandpa must have been concerned about me driving on my own, especially given my pregnancy. I returned his smile, grateful for the timing of his arrival.
"Nice to meet you, Rob," I replied, my voice filled with genuine warmth. "You can call me Andrea. It's perfect timing, as I have a doctor's appointment later for a check-up."
A few hours later, I made my way down the stairs and found Aunt Rosemary busy cleaning the living area. Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but inquire, "Did Andrew go to work?"
Aunt Rosemary paused her cleaning, looking up at me with a kind smile. "Yes, dear. Is there something I can assist you with?" she offered, always ready to lend a helping hand.
"No, I'm alright. I just have a doctor's check-up," I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of hesitation.
As I turned to leave, Aunt Rosemary called out to me, her voice stopping me in my tracks. "Andrea," she said, her tone filled with gentle concern, "You can try giving him a call. There's no harm in reaching out, my dear. Sometimes, a simple conversation can work wonders."
Her words struck a chord within me, as if she had read my thoughts. Taking a deep breath, I thanked Aunt Rosemary for her wisdom and continued on my way.
"Hello," I whispered, my voice barely audible as I heard him pick up the phone. We were en route to the hospital when I mustered up the courage to make the call.
"I'm on a tight schedule," Andrew responded curtly. "Please, get to the point."
My heart sank. "I'm sorry," I replied, my voice tinged with sadness.
"I'm pressed for time, so please hurry up. What do you need?" his voice laced with irritation.
Feeling dejected, I mustered a weak response. "It's nothing important," I uttered before abruptly ending the call, hanging up the phone.
I waited anxiously outside the OBGYN room, anticipating the moment when my name would be called.
"Ms. Andrea Hart?" the nurse's voice broke through the silence, drawing my attention.
Raising my hand, I acknowledged her and she approached me, her gaze inquisitive. "You're next. Are you alone?"
With a shy nod, I admitted that I had no one to accompany me, feeling a pang of loneliness.
"This way," she gestured, leading me down the corridor. Just as I began to follow her, a familiar voice echoed through the hallway, causing me to freeze in my tracks.
"Wait!" the voice called out, slicing through the air. I turn around, my eyes widening in surprise, as my eyes met with the last person I expected to see here. My heart raced as I looked at him, leaving me breathless.