At the hospital, Caroline spoke with the doctor, asking for a thorough examination of her friend because Deborah wasn't feeling well and had been vomiting.

The doctor, noticing how pale the young brunette looked, immediately ordered a complete exam to identify the potential causes.

[Carrie, I’m scared.] Deborah was terrified that something might be seriously wrong with her body and her anxiety grew with each test they conducted.

“Calm down, no matter what, I’m here for you, okay?” Caroline reassured her, holding Deborah’s hands to try to ease her worries.

Deborah nodded. After a few minutes, a nurse arrived with the test results.

“Thanks, darling,” the doctor said flirtatiously as he winked at the nurse who smiled and slowly left the room. The friends chuckled at the interaction they just witnessed.

The doctor began reading the results and his expression turned more serious as he flipped through the pages.

“So, what’s wrong with my friend?” Caroline asked, unnerved by the doctor’s continued silence.

“Relax, Caroline. Your friend is healthy,” the doctor clarified.

“Healthy? Then why has she been vomiting and looking unwell—?”

“Because she’s two months pregnant. Congratulations,” the doctor interrupted, surprising both women.

“Two months…” Caroline turned to Deborah, who was in shock.

“You seem a bit surprised,” the doctor remarked at Deborah’s lack of reaction.

[Very…] Deborah was struggling to digest what she just heard.

“She says ‘Very’, but are you sure?” Caroline pressed.

“Yes, we did a thorough examination and now that we have these results, the symptoms make sense. The dizziness and vomiting are early signs of pregnancy,” the doctor explained to the incredulous friends. “I see you still have doubts. Here,” he said, pulling out a card and tearing out a page from his notepad. “This is the name of a good gynecologist for your follow-up and care. If you choose otherwise, this is the address of a clinic for an abortion.”

[What... no, no, no.] Deborah signed frantically.

“I don’t think she liked the idea of an abortion,” Caroline said, trying to calm Deborah down.

“Sorry for suggesting it,” the doctor apologized after seeing how horrified Deborah looked. “It’s just that you didn’t look too happy upon hearing the news so I thought I should at least mention it.”

“Thank you, Doctor. But she’s not happy because she just fought with her partner,” Caroline explained, trying to change the subject.

“I understand. But remember, communication is key, and I’m sure your husband will be thrilled about becoming a father.”

Deborah made a face and nodded, not wanting to explain everything to a stranger.

“Doctor, is there something my friend can take to relieve her symptoms?” Caroline asked.

“Of course,” he said, quickly writing a prescription. “These vitamins will help with the lethargy. Avoid anything that makes you feel worse and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Understood?”

Deborah nodded, taking the prescription.

[Thank you.]

“She says ‘Thank you very much’, Doctor.”

“You’re welcome. Take care,” the doctor said as they left.

Walking out, Caroline noticed her friend was lost in thought.

Pregnancy…it was wonderful news. It had once been a dream of Deborah, a longing… but why now when she was determined to get a divorce?

Doubts started entering her mind: should she still proceed with the divorce? Or could the doctor’s words be true and everything would change with the baby?

“Deborah,” Caroline’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She stopped and looked into Caroline’s eyes, seeing worry reflecting back at her.

“This pregnancy is from that time, right?” Caroline asked, distressed, recalling the day she had found Deborah bruised after a visit.

[I think so…] Deborah signed sadly.

“Deborah, what are you going to do? I know you, and abortion isn’t an option, but tell me, will you follow the doctor’s advice or continue with the divorce?”

[It’s his baby…]

“So what? You don’t know how he’ll react.”

[But it’s his baby… surely everything will change for the better.]

“My dear…”

[Carrie, I know you’re angry, but I still think I need to tell him about my condition.]

“Deborah, promise me, swear on your mother’s memory, that you’ll only ask what he thinks about having a child. Don’t tell him you’re pregnant. I don’t want him to turn and hit you until you miscarry.” Caroline said, looking into Deborah’s eyes while holding her hands.

Caroline’s words scared Deborah because the latter knew it was not a farfetched reaction to expect from Roger, so she agreed and promised to keep her word.

Deborah started to remember that day, the day she must have conceived. Sadly, the way it happened wasn’t out of love or affection. It was rough sex accompanied by blows and insults because Roger had used her as a punching bag to vent his frustrations from a fight with Sophia. The fight, like always, was because of Deborah. Sophia wanted to be the wife, not the mistress, and those hits were him blaming Deborah for ruining his life.

That event marked the final line of her tolerance of the marriage. She had never done anything to deserve such treatment and couldn’t understand why he hated her so much.

Deborah shook off the bad memories and continued walking with Caroline to the pharmacy to get the prescription.

After buying the pills, she took some and put the rest in her bag.

“Now that we have the vitamins, how about a trip?” Caroline suggested.

[But…]

“Yesterday was your birthday, and you stayed home waiting for that jerk. Today, we’re going out and eating cake,” Caroline said, grabbing Deborah’s hand to lead her toward the mall.

After some thought, Deborah agreed. It was time to enjoy life and celebrate her birthday outside the house.

The outing lifted Deborah’s spirits. Caroline bought her a birthday present and they had a meal at a restaurant before returning to Deborah’s apartment because Caroline insisted on not leaving her alone. But their pleasant mood vanished upon arriving at Deborah’s door, where an older woman was banging and shouting.

"Open up, you mute b*tch!" screamed the older woman with platinum blonde hair, pounding on the door. When she saw them, she snapped, "Who do you think you are? Why aren’t you at home? My poor son suffers because of you."

"Mrs. Peterson, this is an apartment building and your shouting is disturbing everyone," Caroline retorted.

"Shut up, you beggar," Mrs. Peterson shot back before turning to Deborah, demanding she open the door.

Deborah reluctantly opened the door, and the older woman shoved her aside as she entered. Caroline protested, but Deborah gave her a reassuring smile, trying to avoid a confrontation.

Inside, Mrs. Peterson began criticizing the apartment’s cleanliness, throwing things around to make it look messy. Caroline, irritated, called the older woman out for her behavior.

"You wretched beggar!" Mrs. Peterson tried to hit Caroline, but the latter caught the older woman’s wrist and held it firmly.

"I’m calling the police," the older woman threatened just as there was a knock at the door. Deborah opened it to find two police officers.

"Good morning, ma’am. Did you call us?" one officer asked.

"Officers, arrest this woman!" Mrs. Peterson pointed at Caroline. "She hurt me."

[That’s a lie.] Deborah frowned.

"She’s just being dramatic," Caroline stated plainly.

"Officers, can't you see... she's intimidating me. So please, arrest her and get her out of my house."

[This is my house.] Deborah signed and frowned even more.

"This is not your house," Caroline spoke up.

"Actually," the first officer began to say, "we were called over because several neighbors have complained about you, ma'am.”

"HOW DARE YOU! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?"

"You’re the crazy lady banging on my neighbor’s door, keeping me from sleeping," a blond man said, stepping into view.

Mrs. Peterson was furious but fell silent upon recognizing the man.

[Jayden…] Deborah mouthed, surprised.

"Ma’am, save it. Officers, please take her away. She’s always harassing my neighbor. I have the evidence for it too," Jayden requested.

"Darling, if your husband won't protect you from his mother, I will, because neither you nor I are here to endure her shouting," he said, smiling at Deborah.

Mrs. Peterson became hysterical. "Let go of me! I’m Isabelle Peterson. You can’t do this to me!”

But the officers moved to restrain her. "Ma'am, please stop resisting and—”

Just then, Roger stormed in, furious.

"Let my mother go!" Roger demanded.

"Sir, we’re arresting her as we’ve received multiple complaints about her," the other officer explained.

"Who complained?" Roger asked angrily.

"I did, Peterson," Jayden said coolly.

"Cooper..." Roger glared at him.

"Yes, so stop your drama and tell your mother that it's not fair for her to come and yell at your wife just like that.

"That's none of your business," Roger retorted, turning his back. "Mom, come sit on the sofa," he said, helping the older woman to walk.

"It is my business because, in case you forgot, this apartment building is mine and I hate noise disturbances on my property," Jayden said to Roger. "So if you can’t control your mother, I will. This is my building, and I won’t tolerate such disturbances."

Roger clenched his jaw, knowing he couldn’t retaliate against the powerful Cooper family.

"Son, thank you for saving me. That mute and her friend insulted me." Mrs. Peterson tried to play the victim with her crocodile tears.

"Oh god... poor woman... a mute said rude things to her. Oh... such suffering," Jayden mocked the older woman’s theatrics.

"Cooper, get out of my house," Roger ordered.

“I can show you the video of how your mother has been bothering this unit for a while just because they wouldn't open the door."

"If the noise bothered you so much, you should have come out and helped my mother."

"Helped with what? I think anyone knows that if time passes and the door isn't opened, it's because no one's home. Or are you going to tell me your wife doesn't have the right to leave the house once in a while?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"..." Roger was furious because if he answered that question, it was evidence of domestic abuse, and with the two officers present, he could risk his reputation.

Fortunately, he noticed Fabian had arrived so he approached the officers to resolve the matter. "Officers, thank you for coming, but we'll take care of this family matter.”

Jayden and the officers saw Roger's assistant extending his hands while holding an envelope, standing next to his boss. It was the signal for them to leave.

Jayden sighed. "Let's hope this fixes things, Fabian, because I'll be watching.” As he was about to leave, Jayden looked Deborah in the eyes and smiled at her before disappearing out the door and back to his apartment.

Meanwhile, the officers took the bribe and left.

"You, leave too, Caroline," Roger ordered, glaring at the raven-haired woman. "You know you're not welcome in my house."

"What? So you can beat my friend because of something your mother caused?" Caroline challenged.

[Carrie...] Deborah pleaded.

"Oh... you insolent..." Isabelle was furious and stood up to slap the girl.

Unfortunately, Isabelle’s actions didn't come to fruition because Fabian intervened. "Miss, please leave.”

Caroline reluctantly left, urging Deborah to call her if she needed help. Once alone, Roger turned his anger on Deborah, accusing her of the mess his mother made and threatening her. Fabian intervened, reminding Roger that Jayden was likely still watching. As Roger’s assistant, Fabian knew Jayden wasn’t joking.

Deborah defended herself, only to face further insults from Mrs. Peterson who claimed Deborah manipulated her way into the family. Deborah insisted she never did such things, but the accusations kept coming. Mrs. Peterson even went as far as saying she couldn’t stand the idea of having ‘defective grandchildren.’

"Don’t worry, Mom. I’d never have kids with this useless woman," Roger assured her, glaring at Deborah.

Deborah clenched her fists, pained by their words. It was clear now: she would never tell Roger about her pregnancy and was determined to leave them for good.

After the scandal, Roger escorted his mother back home, warning Deborah that they would have a serious talk that night.

“Thank you, my son,” his mother sighed in relief as they reached the car. “But how did you know?”

“Fabian got a call from one of our police friends, who told us they were sending a couple of officers to the house,” he explained as he helped her into the car. “That’s why I left the office early. I wanted to see what that idiot had done, but I didn’t expect that fool Cooper to try to have you arrested.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, my love. I just get so angry when I’m made to wait. And I didn’t think that idiot would leave the house.”

“I didn’t know she left the house either. But it’s over, Mom. Tonight, I’ll scold her for being so irresponsible to leave you waiting outside and making you go through this.”

“Yes, Son. Punish her so she doesn’t do it again.”

Fabian listened quietly, feeling disgusted by their attitude towards Deborah, but he was unable to say anything because his family wasn’t as wealthy or influential as the Petersons.

Finally alone in the apartment, Deborah let her tears fall, screaming silently in her pain. She hated it all. It was always the same.

Wiping her tears, she surveyed the mess her mother-in-law had made. Then, she steeled herself, determined to make this the last time she endured such humiliation. She would no longer be anyone’s punching bag.

Just as she began to clean, a knock came at the door. Drying her eyes, she went to answer, expecting Fabian or a delivery. Instead, she met a pair of dark brown eyes filled with genuine concern.

“Are you okay?”

[Jayden... Oh, hello. Do you need something?] Deborah tried to stay composed. Jayden smiled softly, wiping away her remaining tears with his hand.

“Deborah, if you need to cry, do it. That idiot isn’t worth hurting yourself over,” he said, pulling her into a comforting hug as she broke down. “Did he hit you?” he asked, then felt her shake her head.

“That’s good. His assistant managed to stop him. But what are you going to do? Keep enduring this?”

Deborah pulled away slightly, wiping her tears. [I’ve decided. I’m going to file for divorce.]

“That’s good. Is your friend going to help you?”

[Yes.]

“If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask me.”

[Thank you, Jayden, but you know I don’t—]

“I know, and I’ve told you, I don’t mind waiting,” he said, holding her hands as he looked into her eyes. “Remember, I’m here for you because I hate seeing you suffer.”

Deborah smiled weakly and nodded, looking around at the mess.

“Now that that madwoman is gone, let me help you clean up.”

[“But you don’t have to—]

“I insist. We’ll finish faster, and we can talk.”

[Thank you.] She felt grateful to have him there.

Meanwhile, Roger had just dropped his mother off and was heading back to the office to finish the day’s work.

“Ugh... what a nuisance...” he muttered, checking his phone.

“What’s wrong?” Fabian asked, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

“Deborah’s father is calling again.”

“Another loan?”

“Most likely. God, they think I owe them something just because Deborah is my wife,” he grumbled. “If anything, I should be getting money for putting up with her.”

“So, will you give it to them?”

“Of course not. Let them figure it out. That family is full of idiots, always investing in mediocre businesses that go bankrupt in months.”

“I’ve heard Deborah’s father mismanages money, always trying to please his wife and kids, no matter the cost.”

“That’s why he’s a mediocre old man, and I won’t give him a cent. Let him deal with his debts.”

“They might bother Deborah to ask you for money on their behalf.”

“They can try. It doesn’t matter what they do; she’ll never get anything from me,” Roger declared, deleting his father-in-law’s messages.

Just then, his phone rang and his expression changed to a smile as he answered.

“Hello, gorgeous.”

“Am I interrupting, my love?”

“You never interrupt.”

“Hey, I need to talk to you,” the voice on the other end sounded worried.

“Is something wrong? You sound concerned.”

“Well... can I come to your office? It’s important.”

“Of course, you don’t need permission to see me.”

“Thank you, my love. I’ll see you at your office,” Sophia said, ending the call.

“What’s wrong?” Fabian asked, having overheard.

“I don’t know. Sophia sounded worried, and that concerns me,” Roger replied, becoming serious. “Be ready to transfer money to her card if she needs it. Take it from the funds I give to that idiot. She doesn’t need thousands just to stay at home.”

Fabian grimaced as he kept driving.

When they arrived at the company, they found Sophia waiting in the parking lot. As soon as Roger stepped out of the car, she rushed to hug and kiss him publicly.

“Hello, handsome,” she cooed, ignoring the stares and whispers of the employees who found their open display of infidelity disgusting.

“Hello, my love. Now tell me, what’s wrong? Why is the most beautiful woman in the world worried?”

“Well, I have something very important to tell you, but...” She glanced at the employees who were watching them. “Can we talk in private?”

“Yes, come,” he said, leading her to his sports car. “And you lot, get back to work or you’re fired!” He yelled at his employees before starting the car and speeding away.

Fabian sighed and headed for the elevator to return to the office, only to be surprised by the sight of Roger’s father waiting.

“Sir...” he greeted, shocked to see him there.

“Spare me the greetings and tell me, where is my son?” he demanded.

“He’s out handling some business.”

“With that woman, isn’t he?”

“Yes...”

“God, how have I sinned for him to be making such foolish decisions?”

“Um, sir...”

“Call him over now and order him to return to the office immediately,” he commanded, frowning.

“Yes, sir,” Fabian said. He tried to call Roger, but the latter’s phone was already turned off to avoid interruptions.

Meanwhile, Roger took Sophia to his favorite restaurant, where they were seated at their special table for privacy.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Peterson. The usual?” the waiter asked, offering them the menu.

“Yes.”

“No,” Sophia interrupted. “I’d like cranberry juice with lemon, please,” she smiled.

The waiter looked confused, as they didn’t have that drink, but seeing Roger’s look, he tried to stay calm. “Of course, madam. I’ll get that for you,” he said, turning to seek help with the unusual request.

“Are you sure you don’t want wine?” Roger asked, holding her hand.

“I can’t right now, my love.”

“What? Why? Are you sick?”

“Not exactly, my love. I just got the best news in the world.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“I’m one month pregnant,” she announced excitedly.

“What...”

“Yes, handsome, we’re going to be parents,” she said with a big smile that quickly faded. “But... you understand this means goodbye.”

“What?! Why?”

“Because I don’t want our child to be called a bastard because of that mute woman.”

Roger frowned. “No one will call my child a bastard.”

“But my love...” Sophia started to say before tears welled up in her eyes and she looked away.

“Now that I know, I’ll defy my father and demand a divorce with that thing.”

“Really?” she asked, looking into his eyes.

“Yes, and if necessary, I’ll kill that mute myself to gain my freedom.”

“Oh, my Roger,” she said happily, standing up to hug him.

“My Sophia,” he replied, embracing her.

‘This is your end, stupid mute. I’ve won,’ Sophia thought as she kissed Roger passionately.