AYAH'S POV

"Oh my... Who's that? Why are you here with him?" Mia may fool others, but not me. I can see the implication behind her words, sharp and calculated.

"Ayah, explain this to me," Ethan demanded, his voice heavy with authority. I held his hand, but he didn't respond physically. My heart sank.

"Honey, I'm not with him. We- we just ran into each other," I said, trying to steady my voice. "Please... believe me. It's nothing. I accidentally bumped into him, and he helped me with the papers I dropped," I added, desperation edging my words. I was begging him silently, trying to make him understand.

Ethan's eyes bore into mine, trying to process my explanation.

"I understand that... but what are you doing here?" he finally asked. Relief washed over me-I could finally tell him the truth.

"I'm here because-" My words died in my throat as Mia suddenly doubled over, clutching her stomach.

"Ouch... my head and tummy hurt so much," she groaned, clearly exaggerating. And it worked-Ethan's gaze snapped to her immediately. "Ethan... I feel dizzy... I think I'm going to pass out." She staggered, and without hesitation, he released my hand to steady her. His strong arms wrapped around her waist, supporting her.

"Mia, I'll help you get to a room. You need to rest," he said, concern thick in his voice. And just like that, I felt invisible, like the floor itself was pulling me down. My stomach turned, nausea hitting me suddenly.

"Ethan..." I called weakly, but he was already focused on her, speaking to the nurses. Mia, on the other hand, looked back at me with that smug, self-satisfied expression. It was as if she were silently saying, Look-he's all mine. You don't exist.

I wobbled, almost losing my balance, when a familiar arm slid around my waist. I looked up-Bryan. My sudden support drew Ethan's furious gaze.

"What are you doing? Flirting in front of your husband?" His accusation was sharp, and fear clawed at me. Even though I was unsteady, I stood taller, trying to look composed.

"Of course not," I said, voice tight. "I just... felt dizzy. I was trying to call you, but you couldn't hear me." My eyes involuntarily darted to Ethan, who was still supporting Mia, as if my existence didn't matter.

"Bryan, please, go. I don't want any trouble, and I don't want to be associated with my husband's rival," I pleaded, almost on my knees internally. Bryan hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave. I looked at him, eyes begging silently, and finally, with a sigh, he stepped away.

"Ayah, I helped Mia because she's dizzy. She needs me. Don't be childish," Ethan scolded me. Childish? I was watching how deeply concerned he was for his childhood sweetheart while I-his wife-felt abandoned and invisible.

"I need you too, Ethan. I am-" I couldn't finish before he cut me off.

"Enough with your childish tricks, Ayah. Mia needs me more. She's alone here; her family is abroad, her friends are busy. I'm the only one who can be there for her. I hope you understand." His eyes-disappointment, frustration, disbelief-all collided onto mine.

But I need you too... You're the only one I have, I wanted to scream. Silence swallowed me instead.

"Why does she need you? Why can't it be me? Ethan, I'm your wife," I reminded him, my voice trembling, pleading. He only looked at me, jaw tight, fist clenched.

"Ayah, please... don't make a scene. There are too many people watching. She's pregnant-don't be cruel or ridiculous."

Whispers rose around us.

"Maybe the pregnant one is the wife."

"I think she's the other woman."

"Shameless... wanting the man all to herself while the real wife is here."

I searched Ethan's eyes, silently begging for defense. But he didn't speak. Mia held his arm as if to claim him, leaning into his warmth, manipulating him effortlessly.

"No... you need me more, Mia. You're pregnant. We can't risk anything just because she's jealous," he said, finally.

I wanted to scream, What am I to you? But I held back, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"But... they might think I'm the other woman. I... I can't bear the embarrassment. It could be bad for the baby," Mia whispered to him, and Ethan hesitated, swallowing hard, before replying.

"Yes... she's my wife. She's pregnant with my child. Excuse us."

With that, he escorted Mia to the room he had arranged for her.

I remained, watching as my husband-father of my unborn child-took care of his childhood sweetheart. My heart ached with betrayal. My eyes burned, but I refused to let tears fall. Public displays were merciless.

Just as I turned to leave, a voice stopped me cold.

"And you let them treat you like that? This is the life you chose?"

I froze. Slowly, I turned around...

It was Victoria Russell.

My mother.

Her gaze was sharp, unreadable... and I had a sinking feeling that nothing about this encounter was going to be easy.

AYAH'S POV

"Please... I don't want everyone to know I'm associated with the richest family in the country. Besides, I already disowned you when you didn't support me in my marriage," I said, feeling the familiar weight of dissatisfaction settle on my chest.

"Ayah, you clearly don't know what you're getting into. Your husband doesn't love you," my mother said, trying to plant doubt in my mind. I shook my head. No. I knew the truth.

"No. I know he loves me," I said firmly. "Mia doesn't have anyone-no relatives, no friends. Only my husband can be there for her. I understand what they're doing. Don't come near me again." Without hesitation, I left her behind.

As I drove, my vision blurred. I nearly swerved into another car. My exhaustion, my heartbreak, the heaviness in my chest-it was all too much.

When I got home, I felt numb. Empty. Walking into the house where we had once been so happy felt like stepping into a memory I no longer belonged to. What had happened to my marriage? Ten years of love, of trust, and I had always believed that misunderstandings were just part of being together. But this... another woman, his childhood sweetheart, stepping into our lives. Could he really turn his back on me?

After hours of crying, I forced myself to freshen up. When I heard Ethan's car pull into the driveway, I pretended to be busy cleaning the house.

"Honey," I greeted him, trying to sound bright. I leaned in to kiss him, but he flinched, avoiding me.

"I didn't like what you did today. I hope you'll never be someone I hate. You've become... immature all of a sudden. What's wrong with you?" His words hit me like a knife. Was this really my fault? I swallowed my pride and forced a faint smile.

"O-of course... I won't be immature. I was wrong," I whispered, biting back every ounce of hurt, desperate to keep the peace. He didn't reply-he only went upstairs. I followed quietly.

"What do you want for dinner?" I asked softly, trying to soften the tension.

"I'm not hungry," he said coldly. I hesitated. Should I tell him I was pregnant? But seeing his indifferent expression, I felt like it didn't matter.

"Honey," I said again, my voice sweeter this time, hoping to wish him a happy anniversary and give him the gift I had prepared. I hugged him, but he removed my arms.

"Stop being annoying. I'm tired. I want to rest. Which part of that don't you understand?" he snapped. I smiled awkwardly and let him be.

That night, sleep didn't come. He had clearly forgotten that today was our fifth wedding anniversary. I stared at the gifts I had prepared. All my love, all my care, felt meaningless. All I could feel was pity-for myself.

I went to the room I owned-the only room with my key. Inside, my safe held letters, gifts, and my pregnancy records. I locked it carefully and looked around. That's when I noticed my old phone, a gift from my father ten years ago. It still worked.

Thinking of my family and friends, and how harshly I had treated them when I disowned them, tears rolled down my cheeks. All the happy memories flashed before me. How had I become so different? My sweet, open personality had turned guarded; my bold, noisy mouth now only gave awkward smiles. I had no one to talk to.

I opened my old phone and saw messages from the people who mattered most. I wanted to reach out, but didn't know what to say. How were Kyla, Xette, Isaac...? My parents and grandparents? My older brother? My younger sister? They all must believe I hated them.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. My chest ached. I pressed my hand over my mouth, trying to stifle my sobs.

As I was about to put the phone back, a message popped up:

"I know you didn't leave us. Where are you?"

It was from my closest friend-Isaac. My fingers shook as I called him immediately, desperate to hear a familiar voice.

"Ayah? Ayah, is that really you? Talk to me!" His voice filled me with a warmth I hadn't realized I was craving.

"Isaac..." I whispered, barely able to speak.

"Ayah! What happened to you?" I hesitated. I couldn't tell him about Ethan, Mia, or everything that had gone wrong. My throat tightened, and I ended the call. He tried calling back, but I ignored it. I laughed bitterly at myself. Had I really been gone from everyone for so long?

Scrolling through my contacts, I found Bryan's number. Seeing our old messages made my cheeks burn. I had chased him desperately back then, only to reject him when I fell in love with Ethan. Ironic. On impulse, I dialed.

No-

"Hmm?" His calm, familiar voice answered. My heart raced. I didn't know what to say.

"Bry-" I froze as a chill ran down my spine. Ethan's footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Ayah, what are you doing there?" he asked coldly. My heart jumped. I hid my phone quickly.

"I... I was just... cleaning my old room," I stammered, trying to sound natural. Ethan nodded. "I know you will listen to me. You won't use your phone to communicate with people who will not contribute any good to our marriage, right?"

"Of course, honey, I know you want the best for me." After that, I heard footsteps going away.

I exhaled, glancing at my phone. The call was still active. Bryan's voice floated through the line.

"Do you really want to stay there?" he asked softly, as if he could read my mind.

"Yes," I whispered, ending the call. But deep inside, a question lingered-do I really want to stay? Or am I fooling myself, just trying to please a husband who doesn't seem to care?

He didn't answer. That's when, I ended the call. I was about to put it back again, when I received a message from a random number. I opened it, and i feel like my soul will be shattered.

It's a picture of Ethan with Mia on a bed at the hotel. Making love.

AYAH'S POV

"What is this...?" I uttered with disbelief. Is he the father of Mia's unborn child? That's impossible! He loves me so much! I know he will not betray me, but my thoughts contradict everything that's happening. The moment Mia returned. The moment my husband became busy and he had no time for me. The time he started to get avoidant and distant. Now, everything makes sense. I just can't accept it.

I rushed to the bedroom and slapped him hard.

"Y-you!" I pointed a finger at him. "You're dirty! Filthy!" I cannot control my emotions anymore.

"What are you doing?!" he yelled at me. "How dare you slap your husband who works all the time to provide for you?! You broke people are so ungrateful!" Did he forget where he knew me? "You came here, rushing, to slap me? You're pathetic!" He didn't even ask why I did it. Now I realized, he doesn't care about me anymore. He's not the Ethan I used to love. Not the Ethan that used to love me. For once, I admit, we're not happy anymore.

"You make no sense," he uttered in disbelief and picked up his phone and car key.

"Where are you going? Where?!" Am I being too much? Paranoid? "To your other woman?!" I yelled crying.

"Me? Has another woman? Cheating on you? You're so paranoid! You know what? The moment you keep saying that, I'll probably just do it to prove your suspicion!"

"You'd rather do it to prove what I said than to assure me that wasn't true? You're unbelievable." I don't know what to feel. I feel like I'm going to explode. The picture still lingers on my mind. Mia and him are both naked on the bed. What am I supposed to think? Maybe he is the father of Mia's unborn child that's why they were together at the clinic!

I was crying like I'm about to explode, about to lose my breath.

"I'm going. I'm not going home tonight," he said coldly, walking through me, ignoring my pain. When I heard his engine starting, I rushed to get my keys and followed him without him noticing.

Following him didn't disappoint my suspicion. He came to Mia's place. Since the guards and maid were busy chitchatting, I easily sneaked in. I followed where he went, and I saw him go inside Mia's bedroom. Since he's in a rush, he didn't shut the door completely.

"E-ethan...? What are you doing...," she wasn't able to finish her question when my husband suddenly pulled her closer and kissed her.

My heart dropped.

His hands moved to her waist as if the action was something familiar. Something natural.

"Someone might see us," Mia said, though her cheeks were flushed and her arms slowly wrapped around his neck.

"I ordered everyone not to go upstairs," Ethan replied in a low voice while staring at her. "It's just the two of us."

His fingers slid along her back, pulling her closer.

"Maybe I can't resist my first love."

That's it. She's his first love. Even I-the wife-can't compete.

"How about Ayah? If she knows you went here and kissed me, she'll surely be mad at you," she said softly.

My husband ran his hand through his hair, looking conflicted.

"This is wrong. No," he said breathlessly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

For a moment, he looked like he was about to stop.

Then his voice turned cold.

"She's always saying I have another woman. Tonight, without her knowing, I'll make something she accuses me."

Accuses? Those words were based on what I saw! I was asking for assurance, why did he consider them as an accusation?

"Mia, let's do what we accidentally did two months ago," he said, his eyes dark.

Without hesitation, he began pulling her closer again.

I stood there, frozen.

My body refused to move. My mind refused to believe what my eyes were seeing.

Their laughter slowly faded into quiet whispers as they fell onto the bed together.

Every second felt like a knife stabbing into my chest.

Every sound broke me even more.

My heart felt like it was being crushed again and again.

Then I heard Mia's voice, soft and breathless.

"Ethan... will you... do it inside?"

For a brief moment, there was silence.

"Yes," he answered.

And he did.

My world shattered.

Until finally-

"Disgusting," I uttered.

Their eyes widened in horror.

"Ayah..." clearly, he's lost in words. I looked at him emotionless.

"This is what you call an accusation?" I asked him. The pain is clearly beyond words.

"Ayah, it's not what you think. I just let my frustrations out because I'm frustrated with you," he said calmly, without blinking an eye. What does he think of me? A toy?

"Ayah, you keep on suspecting him to have another woman. You don't trust your husband and yet you're the one who acts like you've been wronged? You're ridiculous!" The audacity of this b*tch is killing the remaining kindness inside my heart.

Out of anger, I grabbed her hair and pulled her outside.

"You're a wh*re!" I said crying.

"Stop it, Ayah! You're too much! She has nothing to do with this! If you're mad, take it out on me! Not Mia! She's pregnant for heaven's sake. I swear, if something happens to her and the baby, I will never forgive you!" I am pregnant too. I instinctively put my other hand on my belly.

The disrespect is too loud. I'm done with it.

I was about to let go of Mia's hair when she suddenly stumbled.

In the blink of an eye, she fell down the stairs.

Blood.

So much blood.

"AYAH!" my husband screamed. "I will never forgive you if something happens to them!" He rushed to her side, leaving me like I was nothing.

"Are you...the father of the baby?" I asked quietly. I know it hurts, but I need to hear it.

He stopped.

"...Sorry."

That was the only word I heard before he rushed her to the hospital.

Leaving me all alone.

Wondering what I did to deserve this.