It was positive.
"Oh God... I can't believe I'm pregnant," I whispered, staring at the two pink lines on the test as if they might change.
I had dreamt of this moment for years. David and I had been married for three, and though we never really talked about having children, he hadn't been using protection for a while. He knew I wasn't on the pill. So I took it as a silent agreement—he must have wanted this too.
"Julies, dinner's ready!" my sister June called from downstairs.
"Yeah, coming!" I answered, still gripping the test in my hand.
Shock swirled inside me, quickly melting into pure, overwhelming excitement.
I was going to be a mom.
Heart pounding, I rushed downstairs and, without a word, shoved the test under June's nose.
"I'm going to be a mom," I whispered, breathless.
June gasped. "You're kidding! Oh my God, Julia!" She screamed and pulled me into a tight hug, tears already spilling. I cried too—happy tears.
"I have to go. I need to tell David," I said, pulling away, buzzing with urgency.
"No! Don't go—you just got here. Can't you tell him over the phone?"
"You know those things don't go over the phone. I've got to go now."
"Seriously? Can't it wait till morning? It's late."
"I can't. I won't be able to sleep anyway. And it's only seven."
I grabbed my still-packed bag, kissed my sweet niece on the cheek.
""Though you got me here for nothing—you and your canceled business trip—I'm glad I came."
"I'm glad too. Visit more, okay? Be safe. Call me when you get there."
"I will. Bye, June."
I left quickly, adrenaline rushing.
He's going to be so surprised.
I was supposed to stay at my sister's for three days, though I hate leaving David alone. But June had no one else to watch little Amy.
By the time I arrived, it was just past eleven. The house was quiet. The lights were dim. I stepped inside, only to find two glasses of wine on the kitchen counter.
He had company...? Who?
I heard a soft giggle drift from the bedroom.
A knot formed in my stomach. I didn't want to move, but something pulled me forward.
though deep down I can figure what is going on
'please God not again please!'
The bedroom door was slightly open.
"God, you are so beautiful. I can't get enough of you," David's voice murmured.
A girl's laugh followed. "Oh, David..."
Then, more laughter.
"She's so plain compared to you. I mean, look at you—you're perfect."
"Haha. You're right."
Then... kissing.
Time stopped. My heart clenched. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. But the next thing broke me.
"Do you even love her?" the girl asked.
David sighed. "Um, I don't know. I always thought I should. It's complicated. She's very fragile. I don't know what would happen if I left her. I promised I'd never leave."
"So it's just about keeping a promise?"
That was it.
I couldn't breathe. My throat tightened and bile rose in my chest. I rushed to the bathroom, slammed the door, and threw up violently.
Wow. I can't believe situations like this actually happen. I thought it was just in movies. They had all this time to talk about it, but no—I had to be the one to hear it. Funny, right? Ugh, what the hell are you thinking, Julia? Now's not the time!.
I heard footsteps.
"Who's there?" David called.
He stopped at the bathroom door, clearly shocked. Guilt clouded his eyes.
"Baby, you're back..."
I threw up again.
"Are you okay? Talk to me, baby."
The sick feeling in my gut turned into rage
"Don't you dare call me baby," I hissed. "Just leave me alone. Go back to your... ."
I paused. What should I call her? His lover? His woman? I thought I was those things.
"Just go back to her."
Her voice approached, hesitant. "Honey, what's going—"
She froze when she saw me on the bathroom floor, hugging the toilet, Great!
She was everything I wasn't: fluffy blonde hair, big blue eyes, a petite, delicate body. Cute—the kind of girl people want to protect. Me? I guess I really am just plain.
I need to leave. Now.
I stood, walked past David. He tried to grab my arm.
"Don't touch me!" I shouted, voice raw and foreign even to me. I'd never yelled like that before.
He backed away. Shocked.
I grabbed my purse and ran out the door, tears blurring the road as I drove. My vision swam, and I pulled over.
I'm not alone anymore. I have to protect my baby.
I sat still. The silence rang in my ears.
Then, unexpectedly—I laughed. A deep, broken laugh.
"Oh, Julia. Did you actually believe someone like him—or anyone—could love you?"
I sighed and pressed a hand to my stomach.
"It's just you and me now, baby."
Suddenly, a whisper echoed faintly in the air.
"Lad... Ar..."
"...Aria..."
"Lady... wake..."
I spun around in the car, heart racing.
"Who's there?"
"...Lady Aria, wake up!"