The moment I saw those two pink lines, my world shattered.
My hands trembled as I clutched the pregnancy test, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. This can't be happening. Not to me. Not like this.
A thousand thoughts crashed into my mind, each one heavier than the last.
What if I pin the pregnancy on Derrick? Would he believe me? Could I live with that lie?
What if I tell Jackson? He would lose his mind. He might destroy everything.
Then a single, chilling thought took hold.
Abortion.
It was the only way to fix this. To erase my mistake. To save my marriage. To keep what I had with Derrick.
But as quickly as the thought came, a wave of guilt swallowed me whole. My stomach twisted in knots. How could I even consider it? How could I end an innocent life because of my own recklessness?
I was still drowning in these thoughts when I felt a hand brush against my shoulder. My entire body stiffened.
"Hey," a familiar voice murmured.
I gasped, jerking up so fast I nearly dropped the test. "Derrick! You scared me."
His brows knitted together, concern etched across his face. "I've been standing here for a while. You didn't hear me?"
I forced a weak smile. "Just... lost in thought. Nothing serious."
His eyes searched mine. "Are you sure? You look pale."
I swallowed hard. "I'm fine. You're dressed up... are you going out?"
"Yeah, emergency meeting with some business partners. Shouldn't take long."
I nodded, trying to steady my shaking hands. "Okay. I'll miss you."
A grin played on his lips as he kissed my cheek. "I'll miss you too. But don't miss me too much."
I managed a small laugh. "I'll try not to. Bye."
As soon as the door closed behind him, reality slammed back into me. I dug the pregnancy test out again, my heart pounding as I checked the date. Three weeks.
Three whole weeks, and I hadn't even noticed.
I gripped the test tighter. There was no time to waste. Whatever I was going to do, I had to do it fast.
I needed to talk to Jackson.
I found him in his bedroom, sipping coffee like he didn't have a care in the world. The sight of him made my stomach churn.
I knocked, then stepped inside.
He didn't even look up. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk."
His eyes flickered to me. "About what?"
I held out the test.
He frowned. "What's that? A divorce paper? Are you finally leaving my father?"
I exhaled sharply. "No, Jackson. I'm pregnant."
The mug slipped from his hand, crashing onto the floor as coffee splattered everywhere. He coughed, nearly choking. "You're what?"
"Pregnant."
A slow, mocking smile spread across his face. "Congratulations."
I clenched my fists. "Don't play with me, Jackson. It's yours."
His smile disappeared. "You can't be serious."
"I am."
He ran a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth. "You should've been more careful. You know that, right?"
"I was!" I snapped. "I always take my pill. I only forgot once."
He let out a bitter laugh. "Once? That's all it took? Damn, you really are dumb."
My face burned with shame and rage. "Don't talk to me like that! You were there too! You should've been more careful! Or did you think you could screw your father's wife without consequences?"
Silence stretched between us. His jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists. Finally, he turned to me, his expression dark.
"So what do you want?" he asked. "What's your plan?"
I looked away. "I... I don't know."
"You better figure it out," he said coldly. "Because I'm not playing daddy to this baby. Not now. Not ever."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I'm keeping it."
Jackson scoffed. "Are you insane? Do you realize what'll happen if my dad finds out? Do you even care?"
"I know what I'm doing."
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Then do the right thing. Get rid of it."
I stiffened. "I won't. That's against my faith."
He let out a sharp laugh. "Oh, now you're religious? You weren't so holy when you let me into your bed."
My throat tightened. "I've made mistakes. But I won't make another one."
His face hardened. "Fine. But don't expect me to help. You're on your own."
I turned on my heel and left, my heart pounding in my chest.
That evening, Derrick and I sat in the garden, chatting as the sun dipped below the horizon. For the first time all day, I felt a sliver of peace.
Then Jackson appeared.
"Evening, Dad," he said, his voice smooth. "Can I have a word with you?"
My blood ran cold.
Derrick glanced at me. "You can talk here."
Jackson shook his head. "It's personal. I'll come back later."
Panic surged through me. Was he going to tell Derrick? Right here? Right now?
I forced a smile. "It's fine. I was just leaving to grab something. You two can talk."
I walked away, my knees barely holding me up. Every step felt like I was walking toward my own execution.
Later that night, Derrick and I lay in bed, the air thick with unspoken words. Just as my eyes fluttered shut, I felt his hand on my back.
"I need to ask you something," he murmured.
My stomach clenched.
Did he know? Did Jackson tell him?
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering as I turned to face him. "What is it?"
Derrick looked deep into my eyes. "Are you hiding something from me?"
The world seemed to stop.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
This was it.
The moment everything would come crashing down.
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. Derrick's gaze was steady, unwavering, waiting for my response.
I inhaled shakily, my fingers curling into the sheets. "What do you mean?"
His eyes flickered with something unreadable. "I don't know. You've been acting different. Distant. It's like you're somewhere else."
I forced a small laugh. "I've just been tired, that's all."
He studied me for a moment longer before nodding slowly. "If you say so."
But I knew he wasn't convinced. And I knew this was only the beginning.
Each morning, I wake up with the same sinking feeling, hoping that when I open my eyes, everything will vanish like a bad dream—the marriage, the affair, the pregnancy. But reality slams into me, heavier each day, the guilt wrapping itself around my chest like a tightening noose.
Derrick had already left for work before I even stirred. The silence of the house was deafening, amplifying the war raging inside my head. I forced myself out of bed, dragging my weary body to the dining room, expecting nothing but the usual dull morning.
Then I saw him.
Jackson stood by the entrance, fully dressed in a crisp navy-blue suit. He looked polished, like a man who had made up his mind about something. Behind him, the servants carried his luggage, their expressions neutral, as if this was just another routine task.
My heart lurched.
"You seem fully dressed… are you traveling?" My voice came out quieter than I intended, almost as if I was afraid of the answer.
Jackson halted but didn't turn immediately. His posture was rigid, his jaw tight. Seconds dragged before he finally turned to look at me, eyes void of emotion. He said nothing. Just silence. Then he moved again, heading for the door.
Panic surged through me. I rushed after him, barely registering my bare feet against the cold tiles. "Jackson, are you traveling?"
He didn't break his stride. "Do you have any business with that?" His voice was sharp, cutting through me. "I'm an adult, I can go wherever I want."
I clenched my fists, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "So, the best you can do is run away? Is that it?"
That stopped him. He turned, eyes blazing now. "I don't have a problem I need to run from. If you're talking about the pregnancy, that's yours to deal with. You made your decision. You said you wouldn't get rid of that thing. So, live with it."
His words felt like a slap. I staggered back, my hands instinctively cradling my stomach. "Jackson…"
But he was already stepping into the car. The engine roared to life, drowning out the sound of my shallow breaths.
I watched as he drove away, his figure disappearing down the road. My legs felt weak beneath me, my hands trembling. A lump lodged in my throat, suffocating me.
And then, just as I turned back toward the house, my phone buzzed in my palm.
A message. From Derrick.
We need to talk. Now.
My blood ran cold.