Taking a final look at Alessa, Bryan walked out of the ward leaving her in tears. Alessa burst into another round of tears and cried loudly.

Everything kept getting worse the moment she thought it would get better. What is she supposed to do? Where is she supposed to go? She was so sure her parents wouldn't accept her back.

She was also sure they would have heard the news.

Dr. Wells walked back into the room, Alessa hurriedly wiped her tears as she looked up at him.

He gave her a look but Alessa forced a smile.

“I am really sorry about this ma’am. If there is anything I can do to help, I will.” He said and Alessa nodded.

He is their family doctor, he isn't a stranger so he knows a lot.

“Can you get me a ride?” She asked and sniffed.

“Of course, ma’am.”

~

Alessa sat in the car and watched the chauffeur drive and at the same time, she was fighting her tears. She was in the car the doctor arranged for her and as dumb as it sounds, she was heading to Bryan’s mansion.

For the last time, she just wanted to try her luck. If she can talk to Bryan, she could plead with him and he might accept her back.

She arrived at the mansion and got out of the car, she watched the car drive off before proceeding to enter.

As she got to the gate, she was stopped by the security.

“I’m sorry ma’am. Mr. Hart asked me not to let you in again. He also dropped this saying they were your only belongings.” He said as he handed her her phone and purse.

With trembling hands, Alessa slowly took them.

“Can you please let me in?” She asked as tears welled up in her eyes again. The security was about to respond but he was interrupted by a voice.

It was Lydia’s voice. She showed up and Alessa felt a lump in her throat. The security bowed and walked away leaving both of them.

“Do you want anything? The last time I checked, you don't live here anymore and you are supposed to be at least five feet away from this mansion.” She said proudly.

Alessa nodded as she ignored everything she said. All she wants is to see Bryan.

“I want to see Bryan. Can you please tell him I am here?” She asked, trying so hard to not make the tears drop and her voice cracking.

“I don't think Bryan wants to see you, he made the rule himself.” She replied with a smile and Alessa nodded.

Forcefully, she wanted to make her way in but Lydia pushed her roughly and she fell.

“Tch. So pathetic. You should accept it bitch. You have no place in this house anymore. You lost and I won. Now, get off this property before I get the guards to throw you out.” She threatened and closed the gate before walking away.

Alessa sniffed as she slowly got off the floor, she didn't know what hurt more. The bruise on her arm or the pain in her heart.

It really was over, she lost Bryan and everything.

She had nowhere else to go except a place, her parent's house. She knows they won't accept her but she could at least try.

With the last dollar bill in her purse, she took a cab to her parent’s house.

She arrived and headed to the front door. Just as she was about to press the doorbell when she got to the front door, the door opened revealing her mother.

“Mum.” Alessa called softly.

She had a stern look on, it was obvious the news about her divorce had already gotten to them.

“And what are you doing here?” She asked.

“I… I... “ Alessa stuttered as she thought of what to say.

“Do you know the news trending in the city right now?” She asked and folded her arms.

“The news about your divorce is what is trending right now. Everyone in the city knows about it. The Harts cut your father off in every business deal they had, you have ruined our family.”

“Mum, I’m sorry. I didn't... “

“I don't want to hear it. Until you settle with your husband, you are not welcome here. You are a disgrace Alessa. You have always been a disgrace.” She said and Alessa started to cry.

“Please, let me in. I have nowhere to go, I really don't know where to go. Please, mum.”

“Don't call me mum. I am not your mother.” She snapped at Alessa and she flinched.

“We took you in and raised you, the least you could do is stay married and we stay rich but you just couldn't because you are nothing but a failure.”

Alessa whimpered as she watched her mother insult her.

“You don't have a home here, get out.”

Immediately, Alessa fell to her knees.

“Please let me in. I’m pregnant.” She cried and her mother scoffed.

“Go to hell with it!” She cursed and slammed the door in her face.

Alessa froze as the realization hit her.

She really has nowhere to go! No one to turn to!

She has nothing and she is pregnant!

She started to panic and cry, she got up and breathed heavily as she made her way out of the house.

She tried to stay calm but all the hurtful words said to her came rushing in. She was glad it was dark, no one could see her crying.

She made her way to the streets and looked around. Her tears kept falling, she had no idea of what to do.

It all happened so fast. Twenty-four hours ago she was a wife to a billionaire but now, she is nothing!

With a heavy heart, Alessa kept walking down the streets. She had no idea what to do, the thought of her ending up dead scared her so much.

She looked around the streets and whimpered as she felt her heart ache. Her stomach grumbled and she stared down at it.

“I’m pregnant, I’m pregnant,” she muttered. She wrapped her arms around her stomach with tears streaming down her face.

The thought of her killing her child clouded her mind. Without thinking twice, she pulled out her phone to call Bryan.

It was a dumb thing to do but she didn't care, she had no means of surviving.

With trembling hands, she dialed Bryan’s number. She placed the phone to her ear and muttered a little prayer for him to pick up.

Bryan didn't answer the call, she called repeatedly but still got no response.

It was starting to get really cold and cloudy, and before Alessa could realize what was going on, it started to rain.

She rushed to a shed and wrapped her arms around herself, Next to her was a woman. Alessa looked away from her and exhaled heavily.

A thought popped into her head and she turned to the woman again.

“Excuse me, can I make a quick phone call with your phone?” she asked. The woman stared at her without giving her a response.

“Please.” She added.

The woman nodded a little, pulled out her phone, and handed it to her.

Alessa punched in Bryan’s numbers immediately, dialed them, and placed it to her ear as it started to ring.

Bryan picked up immediately, and Alessa felt her heart sink. He was ignoring her.

She shrugged off the thoughts, she needed his help.

“Hello?” he called, Alessa blinked back her tears as she spoke.

“Bryan,” she called. Her voice betrayed her and it came out like a whisper.

“Alessa?” he called back.

“Bryan, I have been calling you,” she said with her voice trembling as tears clouded her eyes.

“I am busy Alessa. Why are you calling me?”

“I am stranded. I don't have anywhere to go and I don't have any money on me,” she replied and sniffed.

“So?” he asked. Alessa felt her heart shatter at his response.

“Bryan, I... “

“Alessa, we are not married anymore, whatever you do or go through is none of my business. I don't care about you,” he replied.

“Bryan,” Alessa whispered.

“Who is that?” Alessa heard Lydia ask but it sounded distant.

“I have to go, don't call me again.”

“No, no. Bryan please, it's raining, I don't have anywhere to go and I am pregnant. Bryan, I’m scared.” Alessa cried.

“Babe, who is it?” she heard Lydia ask again.

“It's no one, love,” Bryan replied.

“Goodbye, Alessa.”

“No, Bryan… “ Alessa trailed off as the call ended. She turned to the woman and faked a smile as she handed the phone back to her. The woman stared at her with pity.

Alessa looked away and stared at her feet. She started to cry.

She slowly walked away from the shed and started to cry out loud in the rain.

Lives flashed before her eyes, and her hands trembled in fear and cold. She had no one and nothing. How the hell is she going to survive?

~

It's been a few days since Alessa went from being a billionaire’s wife to a nobody. The worst few days of her life.

She started to live from hand to mouth on the street. She worked around just to earn a little to eat.

She had no shelter yet, and she fell asleep anywhere she could find.

“Why aren't you doing anything? These foods aren't going to serve themselves!” a voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see her angry boss.

“I’m, I’m sorry.” she hurriedly apologized and grabbed the plates on the counter. She walked to the table where the order was placed and slowly placed the meal on it.

She bowed to them a little before going to take another order.

She never thought she would end up in the slums, she used to give orders to people now she was being ordered around.

After serving the guests, there was nothing to do anymore. She exhaled heavily as she stood in the middle of the room, waiting to be called.

The restaurant is a local one downtown. She moved to an area where no one would recognize her. Being Bryan’s wife made her get on television a lot, she couldn't imagine the shame she would go through if she were recognized.

Suddenly, her boss turned on the television and everyone paid attention to it, including Alessa.

It was a wedding being streamed live.

“Hey, excuse me.” A person at a table called Alessa. She looked away from the television and rushed towards him.

“Yes? How can I help you?” She asked with a smile as she got to him.

“I didn't order this.” He snapped at her and she flinched a little.

“I ordered pasta, not this trash.” He yelled again.

“I… I am so sorry. I will fix it immediately.” Alessa stuttered as she hurriedly carried the plates.

“It's Bryan Hart’s wedding.” She heard the guests say and she froze. She turned to the television and stared at it.

Lydia was walking down the aisle in the most beautiful wedding dress she had ever seen. Alessa felt her heart shatter as she stared at it.

Alessa watched as she got to the altar and Bryan’s smile grew.

Tears clouded her eyes as she watched.

Bryan started to say his vows, and Alessa couldn't bear the pain of hearing how genuine he sounded. He has never said those words to her, he never loved her and they never had a wedding. Just a contract.

The plates fell from Alessa’s hands and she flinched, She stared down at them. Before she could do anything, she felt a hard slap on her face.

She placed her hand on her cheek as she stared at her boss in disbelief.

“You will pay for those, bitch!” She yelled at her.

“I’m sorry,” Alessa whispered as she bent to pick up the broken pieces.

One of the pieces cut her hand and she hissed in pain as blood gushed out of it.

Alessa cried helplessly, she didn't know what hurt more. The pain in her hand from the broken pieces, her cheeks due to the slap, or her broken heart watching the love of her life and the father to her unborn child getting married to the woman of his dreams.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

“Thank you, Rico,” Alessa said with a smile as he stretched her income towards her, and she smiled a little as she took it.

“You are welcome and this is for the baby,” he added and gave her a few bucks. Alessa smiled and nodded at him.

“Thank you,” she muttered.

The past four months have been really hard for Alessa, she did multiple jobs to survive. She finally got a little place to stay a month ago after sleeping on the streets for three months.

Things started to get better a bit when she started working for Rico, who owns a little grocery store close to where she lives.

He hired her immediately after she came begging for a job because she was pregnant.

Alessa’s bump was now visible. She cries every night when she thinks about how her life changed so fast months ago. She couldn't get over what happened and she never thinks she will.

Moving to the rural areas of the city made things easier for her, not everyone could recognize her, and the few that did mocked her of her situation.

Rico knows about her story, she told him everything that happened and he felt so bad for her.

The cheers outside the store caught Alessa’s attention. Everyone was running which confused Alessa.

“Rico, do you know what is going on?” she asked as she turned to him.

“Oh, you didn't hear about it?” Rico asked and she furrowed her brows, confused.

“Hear about what?” she asked back.

“Your ex… Mr. Hart is coming to the central hospital today. Judging by the present situation, he is there already, having a press conference.” He replied and Alessa’s eyes widened in shock.

Before Rico could speak, Alessa rushed out of the store and ran towards the central hospital which wasn't so far from the store.

She had no idea why she was heading there but she was sure of one thing, she just wanted to see Bryan.

Her heart was racing as she ran. She couldn't wait to see him, despite the pain he put her through, she still loves him. She isn't even mad at him for what he did.

If she gets a chance to see him today and he sees her state, maybe he will take her back. He can't let her suffer, he isn't a bad man.

Alessa was willing to let go of everything if he tried to talk to her, she was ready to ignore the pain she had gone through these past few months.

Alessa got to the central hospital, and he exhaled heavily as she saw the crowd in front of it.

She took in a deep breath before entering the crowd, and somehow, she made her way to the front.

There he was, looking handsome as always in his well-tailored tuxedo. Tears welled up in her eyes as her heart raced in excitement, She was happy to see him.

He seemed to be rounding off with his speech and Alessa felt bad that she would only see him for a few minutes.

He ended his speech and the crowd cheered, Alessa also clapped her hands. He was about to walk away when his eyes fell on Alessa, he froze as she held his gaze.

Alessa felt her heart beat rapidly as he stared at her. She was surprised he saw her.

Alessa could swear she saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes but they disappeared almost immediately. The crowd was starting to notice, including the reporters.

Bryan hurriedly looked away and his guards escorted him away.

Alessa exhaled heavily as a tear rolled down her cheeks. She sniffed and wiped it off immediately.

The crowd slowly started to leave. In minutes, the front of the hospital was empty but Alessa remained in a spot.

She could bring herself to move, she kept thinking about what just happened. The look in his eyes, the long stare, she couldn't get everything out of her head!

‘Did he miss me?’

‘Does he care now?’

‘Does he regret his actions?’

Different thoughts kept popping into her head.

Alessa snapped out of her thoughts after a few minutes. She turned away from the hospital to head back into the street.

“Ma’am.”

“Ma’am.” She heard a voice call repeatedly, and she turned to see a man whom she recognized immediately. It was Bryan’s bodyguard.

Alessa was confused.

“Excuse me, ma’am, Mr. Hart wants to see you,” he said. Alessa’s eyes widened in shock.

“Me?”

“Yes, ma’am. Please come with me.”

Alessa nodded immediately without a second thought, and she followed the guard into the hospital.

As they walked in, Alessa felt her heart do a happy dance. He cares after all! He is going to take her back! Finally, her suffering has come to an end, and she will be happy again!

The guard took her to a private wing in the hospital and stopped in front of a door.

“You can go in ma’am,” he said. She nodded then opened the door.

Bryan was standing in the middle of the room with his hands in his pants pocket, he looked up at her as she walked in.

“Bryan,” she called and rushed to hug him but he took a step back from her. She paused as he did.

“You… you stink and you look dirty.” he said and Alessa mouthed an ‘oh’ before letting out a nervous chuckle.

“Yeah. Sorry about that,” she muttered and wiped her hands on her clothes. Alessa looked down at herself in the process, she was in ripped jeans and a dirty sweatshirt.

“Sit,” he ordered and she slowly nodded as she took a seat on one of the chairs, he sat opposite her too.

Alessa stared down at her fingers and played with them nervously.

“I… “

“I forgive you, Bryan, you don't have to apologize. I forgive you.” she cut him off and looked up at him Bryan furrowed his brows confused.

“Apologize? I am not here to apologize to you,” he replied.

“Huh?”

“I called you here to warn you to stay away from me,” he said. Alessa felt her heart shatter into pieces.

“Wh… what?” she asked with her voice trembling.

“That conference was live and you almost ruined it. You weren't supposed to show up.”

Alessa’s lips parted in shock, and she shook her head in disbelief as tears welled up in her eyes.

“I look dirty and I stink. I am struggling to survive which you can see and this is all you can say to me?” she asked.

Bryan ignored her statement.

“I am here to make you a deal. I will give you money to start a new life outside the country, you… “

“No, no, no. I don't want your money.” she shook her head as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Bryan, this is not fair. I am pregnant with your child and you are treating me like trash. I barely survived the past few months. Why are you doing this?” Alessa cried.

Bryan kept a straight look as he watched her cry.

“Bryan, please.” Alessa fell to her knees and crawled to him. She held his feet and Bryan stared down at her.

“You have to take me back, take me back Bryan. I don't mind living like a slave in your mansion, I will do anything to get off the streets, please.” she cried as she held his feet.

“Look at me,” he ordered but she didn't look up at him.

“Look at me Alessa,” he ordered again and she looked up at him in tears.

Bryan held her gaze watching how her ocean eyes glistened due to the tears.

“I don't care about you Alessa and I never will. I don't care that you are pregnant and I don't care if the child is mine. You mean nothing to me Alessa and you never will.” he said softly and raised his hand to her hair.

Alessa couldn't believe her ears, This isn't the man she was married to. He kept a straight look as he said hurtful words to her. How did he change so fast?

He slowly tucked it behind her ear as he stared at her, he trailed his hand to her wet cheeks and held it softly.

Alessa exhaled heavily as she closed her eyes and leaned on his hand. She missed his touch so much.

“Take the money, Alessa. Start a new life away from here, you don't have a place in mine anymore,” he said.

She opened her eyes and sniffed.

“Bryan, please… “

“Not another word.” he cut her off and she gulped.

He pulled his hand away from her and stood up.

“The guard outside will be with the cheque, in case you change your mind,” he added as he stared down at her. Alessa looked at him in tears.

Taking one final look at her, Bryan walked towards the door.

“Goodbye, Alessa.”