BIT

Chapter 3

“Nicholas?”

Rebecca quickly straightened up, startled. Nicholas Bennett smiled broadly, “I didn’t expect you to remember my face when all our other friends couldn’t,” he said cheerfully.

Rebecca swallowed hard. Nicholas Bennett was her high school friend, known as the chubby, pimply bookworm. She didn’t expect to see him looking so different.

“You look different,” she murmured, eyeing Nicholas from head to toe. Nicholas snorted, “People change! So, may I ask why the party host was crying this early?”

Rebecca wiped the corner of her eye with her still trembling finger, “I wasn’t crying, I just got something in my eye,” she retorted, not wanting to appear weak. Nicholas. nodded twice, “Aren’t you curious why I’m here?” he asked, intrigued.

Rebecca shrugged, “I don’t know, so why are you here?” she asked, disinterested, her eyes focused on Harvey and Alicia walking hand in hand away from the party towards at quieter place.

“I came uninvited, just wanted to see you!” exclaimed Nicholas, smiling broadly. Rebecca sighed deeply, she didn’t have time for such jokes.

“I have to go, enjoy the party!” she said as she turned and was ready to walk away, but Nicholas suddenly grabbed her arm, stopping her.

“What are you doing?” she asked, staring at Nicholas‘ hand on her arm.

“Becky, I know about your husband, everyone is talking about it…”

Rebecca looked up, gazing around and realizing that everyone was looking at her with pity. She had never felt so humiliated in her life, her pride falling to its lowest.

She pulled her hand away from Nicholas and walked towards the main building, her eyes wet with tears. As her feet reached the steps leading to the main entrance, she heard a familiar high–pitched laugh. She turned and saw Victoria laughing while looking at her, with Mia doing the same thing beside her.

There’s nothing left for me to hold onto…

With a heavy heart, Rebecca returned to her room, locked herself in, and cried hard.

She sat on the carpet hugging her knees tightly, feeling not only heartbroken but also confused because she didn’t have any reason to stay. She wondered how much love she had left for her cold husband and cried even harder i he realized that she still

loved Harvey as much as before, her feelings remained a banged.

Exhausted from crying, she fell asleep, curled up on the furry carpet in her wardrobe.

The next morning she woke up with a heavy head, dragged her feet to the bathroom, and stood in front of the mirror in silence.

‘It all feels like a dream…

She slapped her right check hard and screamed in pain, “Damn, it’s not a dream, what should I do?”

Suddenly she felt very nauseous even though she had hardly touched any alcohol last night. With a slightly dizzy head, she washed her face with cold water, which instantly. made her feel calm. While taking a towel from the drawer, her eyes suddenly fell on her collection of test packs.

Should I try it once more before I decide what to do with this ridiculous marriage?”

Half unconsciously, she took a test pack and sat on the toilet to wet it. She didn’t expect. much; the sex she had with Harvey was more of a biological need. Now she was more convinced that Harvey never really saw her as a wife.

A bit unsteady, she lifted the test pack and, “NO WAY!”

She threw the test pack onto the floor in shock; two thick red lines were on it. For a few moments, she just sat frozen. “This is a joke, isn’t it?” she murmured, shaking her head. in disbelief.

But suddenly there was a glimmer of hope in her heart, maybe with this pregnancy, her marriage could be saved. That hope grew and spread through her blood, she hurried to shower and couldn’t wait to tell Harvey about the news.

“Good morning, Ma’am, your breakfast,” greeted Lucy as she pushed a trolley with croissants, fruit, and a glass of milk. Rebecca smiled broadly, “Good morning, Lucy! I’ll cat quickly, don’t worry, I’ll finish everything you brought for me!” she exclaimed cheerfully, making Lucy frown in confusion, something was wrong with her madam.

Rebecca gently caressed her stomach, her cheeks suddenly blushing as she realized she would be a mother. She quickly finished her breakfast and stood up, “Lucy, have you

11 23 Wed Aug 14 17 Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

seen my husband?” she asked, suddenly afraid

answer she would hear.

+84%

Lucy cleared her throat, “Mr. Specter is having breakfast in the back garden, Ma’am,” she said as she tidied up the plates and put them back on the trolley.

“Alright! Have a good day, Lucy!” exclaimed Rebecca cheerfully. She would forget what Harvey did to her last night, they would start over. The baby inside her would be the bond between them, she was sure of

Humming softly, she walked casually to the back garden overlooking a beautiful artificial lake. But the closer she got to her destination, her steps became slower before it stopped entirely. At the tea table sat Harvey, Victoria, Mia, and Alicia, enjoying their breakfast. She could even hear Alicia’s annoying laughter that made her stomach churn instantly.

‘Should I go back inside and pretend I saw nothing? Or should I approach them and announce my pregnancy to them all?‘ she clenched her sweaty hands, unsure of which decision to make.

She closed her eyes and was about to turn around when suddenly, “Rebecca?” It Mia’s voice, sounding mocking as usual.

Feeling uncertain, Rebecca turned around, trying hard not to stagger because her legs. were too shaky to stand firm. “Yeah? I was just, um, Harvey, we need to talk,” said Rebecca, not finding any other words to say.

Harvey looked at her silently then nodded and left the table. Rebecca could see Alicia looking at Harvey’s back anxiously. “Harvey!” shouted Alicia suddenly, making Harvey stop and turn to her in surprise.

Alicia stood up, “Um, actually I have to leave soon, so can I talk to Rebecca for a moment?”

Rebecca looked at Alicia warily, unsure of what that snake woman was planning. Harvey nodded, “Of course, I’ll wait here,” he said then sat back down next to his mother,

Victoria.

“What do you want?” asked Rebecca as Alicia walked closer to her.

Alicia smiled, “Can we talk over there, I’m not comfortable with Victoria and Mia, you know they are very annoying!”

Rebecca frowned in confusion but followed Alicia walking towards the marble stairs

11:23 Wed Aug 18 17

with dozens of apps than would uke th

the edge of the artificial lake.

say what you want to say!” hissed

Okay, you don’t need to pretend to be nice, Reber impatiently Alicin stopped, then looked into the distance, making sure Har couldn’t hear then converanion

Divorce Harvey, just let me know the amour you want, I’ll give it to you as soon as become Mrs Specter,” said Alicia while bowing her head, examining her slightly chipped nail art.

Rebecca snorted, feeling her blood rise to her head.

“Stop dreaming” Harvey will never marry you and I will never leave him! Just go awa Alicia, stop bothering us. Harvey will becomea father…

Alicia looked up, glaring in shock.

“Nonsense” she exclaimed then stepped closer and stood just a foot away from Rebecca. “It’s you who have to say goodbye to your empty dreams..

She pushed Rebecca onto the slippery stairs.

“Nooooooooo000000000!