Chapter 2: The Cold Truth
Jenessa stared at Ryan, her heart pounding in her chest. The rain continued to pour, soaking her hair and clothes, but she barely noticed. His tall figure stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
“Why are you standing here in the rain?” Ryan repeated, his voice calm but distant, as if he were talking to a stranger rather than his wife.
Jenessa opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. How could she explain what she had just witnessed at the hotel? How could she tell him about the baby when it was clear his heart belonged to someone else?
“I… I went to the hotel,” she finally managed to say, her voice trembling. “You asked me to come.”
Ryan’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he had forgotten about the message he sent. “Ah, right,” he said, his tone indifferent. “I didn’t think you’d actually show up.”
His words stung, but Jenessa forced herself to stay composed. “Ryan, I need to talk to you about something important,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Not now,” he replied curtly, brushing past her to unlock the front door. “I’m tired. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Jenessa stood frozen, watching as he stepped inside the house without a second glance. The door closed behind him, leaving her alone in the rain once more.
Her heart ached as she replayed his words in her mind. I didn’t think you’d actually show up. Was she really that insignificant to him?
Taking a deep breath, Jenessa followed him inside. The house felt cold and unwelcoming, a stark contrast to the warmth she had once associated with it. Ryan was already heading upstairs, his footsteps echoing in the silence.
“Ryan, wait,” she called out, her voice firmer this time.
He paused at the top of the stairs, turning to look at her with a hint of impatience. “What is it, Jenessa?”
She hesitated, her hands instinctively resting on her stomach. “I… I went to the doctor today,” she began, her voice shaking. “I’m pregnant.”
For a moment, Ryan’s expression remained blank, as if he hadn’t heard her. Then, slowly, his features hardened. “Pregnant?” he repeated, his tone icy.
Jenessa nodded, her heart racing. “Yes. We’re going to have a baby.”
Ryan’s jaw tightened, and he descended the stairs, his eyes locked on hers. “Are you sure it’s mine?”
The question hit her like a slap. Jenessa’s eyes widened in shock, and she took a step back. “How could you even ask that?” she whispered, her voice breaking.
Ryan’s gaze was cold and unyielding. “You and I both know this marriage was never about love. It was a business arrangement. So forgive me if I find it hard to believe that you’re suddenly carrying my child.”
Tears welled up in Jenessa’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “Ryan, I would never—”
“Save it,” he interrupted, his voice cutting through her like a knife. “I don’t have time for this. If you’re pregnant, deal with it. But don’t expect me to play the happy husband.”
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Jenessa standing alone in the hallway.
Her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor, clutching her stomach as sobs wracked her body. The man she had once hoped would grow to love her had just shattered her heart into a million pieces.
As the reality of her situation sank in, Jenessa knew she had to make a decision. She couldn’t stay in this marriage, not when Ryan had made it clear he didn’t want her or their child. But where would she go? What would she do?
For now, all she could do was cry. The storm outside mirrored the turmoil in her heart, and Jenessa wondered if she would ever find the strength to pick up the pieces and start over.