Chapter 3 Secret

CAROLINA POV 

You are three weeks pregnant. 

A few months ago, this would have been the best news I could ever ask for. Having Ace's child had been at the top of the priority list, especially when I was desperate to prove to Helen that I had some worth. 

But now that everything was falling apart, I finally took in. 

Goddess!!! Why me?

I let out a tired sigh, my hand moved to my stomach, and I rubbed it as though there was already a bump. 

“Ma'am.” 

I looked up at Richard and he was still standing there even after the doctor left. “You shouldn't be here.” I sniffed, wiping the tears left in my eyes.

“Ma'am, I can't leave you on your own. I can try to reach the Alpha and inform him…”

“No.” I cut him off, knowing Richard would literally go out of his way to reach Ace, which was impossible, forbidden even. 

“I reach him myself.” I said, “You should go home, I will be fine on my own.”

“But ma'am,” Richard protested, “It's my duty to stay with you until you are ready to leave. It's my job.” 

I pursed my lips, unsure of how to get him to listen. Richard had been my personal driver for the past three years. Back then, Ace was keen on getting everything right about being a good husband and caring for me, his wife. He gave me everything I needed, and when he got me a new car, Richard came with it. 

A kind man on his own end, we became friends weeks into his service, and over the years, he remained loyal, even when everyone slowly lost their respect for me. Richard never changed, not for a second,he still cared and treated me like his boss.

“I don't know how long you have been here, Richard. But you need to go home. I can take care of myself from here. I promise.” I said, forcing a smile to sound convincing, but the man simply shook his head. 

“I am sorry ma'am, but I won't leave, not until the Alpha is by your side.” He replied stubbornly, and I let out a defeated sigh, my mouth trembling as I fought back the sob threatening to leave my throat.

Ace wasn't coming, I knew that from the very depths of my heart. He was with Ella, for the hours I had been on this bed unconscious. He didn't reach out, so why bother now?

Yes, it hurt so bad, to know my husband was with another woman, giving her the care I deserved. 

I glanced at the scalp vein still connected to my hand and the drip. I ripped it off, startling Richard who rushed forward on instinct. 

“It's okay. I am ready to go home.” I informed him that, though he looked dazed and worried, he didn't object. 

“I should inform the doctor.” He said, “Please hold on ma'am.” already heading towards the door when he added. 

I nodded at him, holding my stomach with both hands. Everything may not seem fine now, but maybe, telling Ace about our child would fix everything, maybe he wouldn't pull through the marriage with Ella and finally prioritize his child and me over everything. 

—----------

By the time I arrived home, the sun was fully down. Richard pulled up in the driveway and rushed out of the car to help me out. 

Being extra careful, I held his shoulder forcing him to look at me. “No one can know about this,” I said, referring to the news of my pregnancy.

“Trust me ma'am, I won't say a word.” 

“Thank you.” I patted his shoulder and continued on my way in. 

I planned to go up to my room and think of the best way to tell Ace about our child.

Except, I halted at the foyer, sighting the lights of the dining room on. 

Was Ace back? And why would he be in the dining room? We only eat dinner there on occasions or impromptu celebrations. 

Ace and I had created a tradition of eating in our room, it was our thing, made us feel closer to each other. Those moments we shared how our day went, our deepest fears, worries,  and plans.

Recently, Ace spent most of his time in Ella's room, probably sharing our tradition with her. 

When she moved in,  I simply thought we were entertaining an old friend of his, but a week later, Ella didn't leave, and then time crawled to a month. Only then did Ace reveal she would be staying longer than anticipated. 

Six months later, I find out she's dying and my husband is getting married to her.

I shook my head, a scoff escaping my throat. I was such a fool. 

Suddenly a bubbly laughter reached my ears, tugging at my curiosity, I let it get the better of me, and I found myself going towards the door. 

I stopped before the door and leaned my ears towards it, listening…

“I am so happy Ella, you have brought me great joy.” Helene's joyful voice sent a chill down my spine. 

A chuckle followed,  which belonged to Ella, “Oh Helen, please do not flatter me. Yes, I am pregnant, but I am still not married to Ace. My child may be born a bastard.”

My breath hitched as I pulled away from the door as if it burned me.

Pregnant!

No! No!

I shook my head, moving further away from the door as if it would take back what I had just heard. 

Ella can't be pregnant, it's impossible. Ace would never cheat on me. No, he wouldn't dare.

Fresh tears welled up in my eyes as I moved further away from the door. A sob left my throat, and I palmed my mouth, turning toward the stairs.I ran up to my room, shutting the door behind me.I slid down to the floor, hugging my knee to my chest. I wept, choking on my tears. 

How could you do this to me? 

Even if you didn't love me, why cheat?

This was the reason he refused to mark me, so he could go about his escapades without me feeling it.

And here I was thinking we could fix our marriage with the news of my pregnancy. 

Stupid! 

I raised my hand against my face, hitting myself. 

Foolish!

I slapped myself hard across the face, I didn't stop, until my hand and face both ached.

This was just what I needed to pull myself back to sanity. I couldn't do this anymore.

I am done being the hopeless wife begging for the crumbs of her own husband. 

Now I wasn't alone, I had a responsibility, I couldn't bring this little creature in my stomach into this kind life, a distant father, a distasteful sister in-law. 

No, my child deserves better, everything I didn't have, a good life, protection, security, and a good name. 

I needed to build all of it, not here, far from here, far from Ace and the Blackwood family. I need to plan my departure without them knowing. A silent farewell.

I got off the floor and raced towards my phone, I opened my email and stared at the one-month-old request from the Biotech Research Institute in Oakridge City.

All of my applications to research institutes were to test out if I still had my knowledge, and each time I sent one out, I always received a response.

Biotech Research Institute at Oakridge is the only one further away from not just Ace, but the entire realm at large.

I had been too scared to follow my dreams, to follow the path I created for myself, all because I wanted to remain a convenient shadow for Ace. 

But not anymore. 

Now, I didn't mind venturing far from the werewolf civilization, into the human world, just to keep my child and me away from him.

I opened the email, scrolling down to the bottom, and I tapped on the accept button, hoping that it wasn't too late.