Ashley
My heart pounded violently as I walked toward the elevator. The moment the doors closed and I found myself alone, the tears I had been holding back finally spilled over.
Why me?
After everything I had gone through just to become pregnant, why was fate so cruel?
Why did I have to develop a brain tumor when I was finally about to give my family the one thing they had always wanted from me? A baby.
The elevator doors opened again, and I quickly wiped my face.
A man stepped inside.
Our eyes met briefly.
He looked at me for a moment but said nothing as he stood quietly beside me.
What was I expecting? That a stranger I barely know will comfort me?
I continued crying softly, not caring that a stranger was standing next to me. After all, people cried in hospitals every day.
It was nothing unusual.
Suddenly, he held out a white handkerchief.
I looked up at him in surprise before slowly taking it.
"I don't know what you are going through," he said in a calm, deep voice. "But it will be alright."
His smile revealed faint dimples that somehow made his words feel sincere.
Before I could even respond, the elevator doors opened again and he walked out.
"Wait!" I called after him.
But the doors closed before he could hear me.
"You forgot your handkerchief," I murmured quietly.
I stared at the fabric in my hand. It was plain white, but in the corner there was a small symbol with words embroidered beside it.
The Royal Empire.
My eyes widened slightly.
The Royal Empire was one of the most powerful companies in the country.
Was he an employee there?
I shook my head and sighed softly because it doesn't matter. What mattered was that this man I barely knew helped me.
"Thank you, mister," I whispered to the empty elevator.
Maybe he was right.
Maybe everything would somehow be okay.
I would tell my husband about the pregnancy today. Together we would find a way to protect our baby.
At least… that was what I hoped.
When I reached home, I immediately noticed something strange.
The house was unusually quiet.
None of the workers were around, and the front door was locked.
I pressed the keypad and stepped inside.
I was about to call my husband's name when a loud moan echoed from upstairs.
My entire body froze.
My heart began pounding violently as dread slowly crept into my chest.
For months, something had felt wrong. Late-night phone calls. Coming home late. Avoiding dinner.
The signs were all three but I had ignored them.
Because I loved him too much to believe he could betray me.
"It can't be," I whispered to myself as I slowly climbed the stairs.
The moaning became louder and with every step that I took towards the sound, my heart pounded harder.
When I reached the bedroom door, I hesitated.
A sudden headache shot through my head as if someone had struck me.
My heart raced wildly as I reached for the handle. I took a deep breath and slowly pushed the door open and gasped
It can't be.