Erick's so-called love had always been like a beautifully wrapped candy—deceptively sweet on the surface, yet destined to rot at its core. Bianca realized this too late. The truth had stripped away every ounce of sweetness, leaving only the bitter aftertaste of betrayal.

Her face, once alive with warmth and trust, had become eerily calm, like still water reflecting nothing but emptiness.

Sitting in the dim light of the bedroom, she stared at her phone for what felt like an eternity before dialing a number. The ringing echoed in the silence, her fingers trembling slightly as she pressed the device to her ear.

When the line connected, she spoke in a low, controlled voice. "Erick is cheating. Help me. I want to leave him."

The person on the other end didn't reply immediately. There was a long pause, punctuated only by the faint hum of static. Finally, the voice responded, steady and grim.

"With Erick's influence, leaving won't be easy. He'll make it impossible for you to escape." There was another pause, this time filled with hesitation. "Here's the plan—give me three months. I'll arrange everything. In three months, I'll deliver your 'corpse' to him so you can disappear."

Bianca tightened her grip on the phone, her nails digging into her palm. "No," she said firmly. "Before that, I'll find a way to divorce him first."

Her voice was steady, but her heart felt like it was being torn apart. Betrayal had already shattered her trust; she wouldn't let him destroy her dignity, too. Erick would have no claim over her—not even over her staged death.

After the call ended, Bianca sat motionless, her phone slipping from her fingers. Shadows from the window stretched across the floor as the night deepened. Hours passed and she didn't move, her mind racing with plans and regrets until dawn began to creep in.

The sound of the front door opening broke the silence. Erick's presence filled the room, accompanied by the cool scent of early morning air. His footsteps quickened when he saw her pale face.

"Bianca, you look awful! Are you feeling sick?" He knelt beside her, his hands cupping her face with the same practiced tenderness he always showed.

The faint scent of his post-shower cologne wafted toward her. She had once found comfort in its familiarity, believing it symbolized his thoughtfulness—his desire not to bring the grime of late-night work into their home. Now, she knew the truth. It wasn't about her at all. The cologne masked the lingering traces of other women.

Her stomach churned violently. The nausea was unbearable. Bianca shoved Erick aside and bolted to the bathroom, collapsing to her knees in front of the toilet.

The sound of her retching echoed through the small space. Erick's panicked voice followed her. "Bianca! Bianca, what's wrong?"

Moments later, he was on his phone, summoning an ambulance. "She's been pale all morning," he explained to the dispatcher, his voice thick with urgency. "She needs help now!"

At the hospital, the air was sterile, filled with the faint scent of antiseptic and the quiet murmurs of medical staff. Bianca sat in silence as the doctor reviewed her test results, her hands folded tightly in her lap. Erick hovered nearby, his brows furrowed with worry.

The doctor's expression softened. "Stantonratulations," he announced with a smile. "You're going to be parents!"

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Bianca froze, her mind reeling. She blinked and hot tears began streaming down her cheeks. This child... this innocent life had come at the worst possible time.

Erick, mistaking her tears for joy, clasped her hands in his. His face lit up, his usual composure replaced with raw emotion. "Bianca, we're having a baby! A baby!" His voice cracked with excitement as he spoke, his eyes glistening. "We're going to be a family, Bianca! Isn't this incredible?"

Bianca stared at him, her expression unreadable. She knew how much Erick had longed for a child. The news should have been a blessing, but all she felt was an overwhelming sense of despair.

'Erick,' she thought, her heart heavy. 'There's no future for us. No future for this child.'

The doctor's voice brought her back to reality. "The pregnancy is still in its early stages and your condition seems unstable. I recommend staying in the hospital for observation."

Erick immediately took charge, filling out the admission paperwork with an enthusiasm that bordered on childlike glee. He called everyone he could think of—family, friends, even distant acquaintances—proudly declaring the news.

"Bianca and I are having a baby!" he said, his deep voice brimming with pride. "Can you believe it? I'm going to be a dad!"

The nurses, overhearing his calls, giggled among themselves. One leaned over to Bianca, whispering with a grin, "Your husband really loves you. You're so lucky."

Another sighed wistfully. "Men like him are a rare find these days."

Bianca didn't respond. She simply stared at the scene unfolding before her, her gaze cold and detached. It was as if she were watching actors perform in a play—one that had become painfully absurd.

Eventually, Erick noticed her tears hadn't stopped. He crouched down beside her, his worry deepening. "Bianca, are you okay? Are you in pain?"

Through the haze of her emotions, Bianca looked at him—the man who had once promised her forever. Eight years together, five of them married and all of it felt like a cruel joke now. She wanted to scream at him, to ask him why he had betrayed her. But she couldn't—not yet.

Suppressing the storm raging inside her, Bianca let her tears flow freely. "I've never had a child before," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm scared."

Erick sighed in relief, his smile returning. He gently squeezed her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. "Don't be afraid," he said softly. "I'm here. I'll be with you every step of the way, Bianca. I'll always be with you."

'But I don't want you anymore, Erick.'

Bianca's thoughts swirled like a storm, though her face remained serene. She hadn't yet sorted through the tangled web of emotions engulfing her, nor did she have the strength to face Erick. Instead, she murmured that she wasn't feeling well and turned onto her side, closing her eyes as if to sleep.

Erick's initial excitement over the pregnancy had subsided and he quickly regained his usual composed demeanor. He pulled up a chair beside her hospital bed, the metal legs scraping softly against the floor. Sitting down, he reached out and gently patted her shoulder, his voice soft and tender.

"Rest, Bianca. I'll stay here with you."

For a moment, the room was silent save for the rhythmic beeping of the hospital monitor. Erick's presence seemed reassuring, almost as if he truly cared. Bianca wanted to believe the illusion, to pretend for just a moment longer that she still had a loving husband.

But the quiet was soon broken by the buzz of Erick's phone. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening slightly before he declined the call.

Bianca kept her eyes closed but felt the subtle shift in the air—Erick's hesitation, the way his body tensed as the phone buzzed again. This time, the call was followed by a string of notifications. Erick's hand moved quickly to open the messages, but Bianca could sense his agitation.

Her curiosity got the better of her and she peeked through her lashes, catching the faint glow of the screen. A photo of Sabrina in a lacy, revealing dress flashed across it. Bianca's chest tightened, anger simmering beneath her composed exterior.

Erick stared at the photo for a moment, his gaze darkening. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing, before locking the phone and slipping it into his pocket.

"What's wrong?" Bianca asked suddenly, her voice startling him.

Erick flinched, his face flushing with guilt. But he quickly recovered, forcing a calm smile. "It's nothing. Just an emergency meeting at the office. My assistant is being persistent."

Bianca sat up slightly, her expression unreadable. "Then you should go. Work is important."

He hesitated, torn between guilt and desire. Finally, unable to resist, he stood. "Bianca, I'll have a nurse come check on you while I'm gone. I won't be long."

Bianca nodded but didn't say anything further. Erick took a step toward the door but stopped when she called his name.

"Erick," she said softly.

He turned, his brow furrowing. "What is it?"

She didn't reply immediately, her gaze piercing as it lingered on him. For a fleeting moment, Erick felt as though he were standing on the edge of a vast, unbridgeable chasm. The distance between them felt overwhelming, even though they were just feet apart.

A pang of unease struck his heart. He quickly closed the gap, bending to kiss her forehead. "Bianca, wait for me," he whispered.

Bianca stayed silent, watching as he walked out of the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, she rose from the bed, her movements slow but deliberate. She straightened her hospital gown and made her way to the doctor's office.

"Hello," she began, her voice steady. "I'd like to schedule an abortion, please."

The doctor froze, his pen hovering over the clipboard. Beside him, a nurse gasped audibly, her wide eyes reflecting her shock. They had both seen the joy on Erick's face earlier, heard him proudly announce the news to everyone who would listen.

"Are you sure?" the doctor asked carefully, lowering his pen. "Would you like more time to think about it?"

Bianca's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her gallery until she found the damning image—Erick locked in a passionate kiss with Sabrina. Turning the screen toward the doctor and nurse, she said simply, "My husband is cheating on me. I'll be divorcing him soon."

The young nurse stared at the photo, her mouth agape. The man she had admired for his devotion just moments ago was nothing more than a fraud. Her shock quickly turned into anger. "That bastard," she muttered under her breath, clenching her fists.

Without another word, the nurse guided Bianca to the operating room, her steps firm and resolute, as if she were taking justice into her own hands.

***

Elsewhere, in a dimly lit hotel suite, Erick sprawled across the bed, a satisfied smirk on his face. Beads of sweat glistened on his skin as he let out a contented sigh.

Sabrina stretched languidly beside him, her bare shoulder brushing against his arm. "Erick, you're crushing me," she said with a playful pout, gently pushing him away.

Erick chuckled and rolled onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow. He studied Sabrina for a moment, taking in her tousled hair and flushed cheeks. But his expression soon turned serious.

"Sabrina," he began, his voice low.

She glanced at him, her brows arching in curiosity. "What?"

He hesitated, then sighed. "Bianca's pregnant."

The words hung in the air, heavy and unspoken. Sabrina froze, her smile faltering. But it was only for a moment. Her lips soon curved into a sly grin.

"Oh? Then I'm going to have a little nephew!" she said, her tone light and teasing.

Erick didn't laugh.

The reason he had come to this rendezvous wasn't just to sleep with Sabrina. It was also to end their affair.

Not long ago, one of Erick's close friends had been exposed for cheating on his wife. The scandal spread like wildfire, tearing his family apart and ruining his reputation. Erick had watched as the man went from a respected businessman to a disgraced pariah in a matter of days.

The incident haunted Erick, serving as a stark reminder of the risks he faced. Bianca's tolerance had always been rooted in trust, but Erick knew that once her faith in him was broken, there would be no going back. She would never forgive him—not for something like this.

He had already ended things with his other mistresses, distancing himself from the chaos and temptations they brought into his life. But Sabrina was different. Letting her go wasn't easy. She was the only one who had remained in his life, pulling him back into a world he swore to leave behind.

Now, with Bianca's pregnancy, Erick realized the stakes were higher than ever. He couldn't risk losing his family, his carefully curated image, or the empire he had built. No matter how reluctant he felt, he had to end things with Sabrina once and for all.

Sabrina threw herself into Erick's arms, her sobs shaking her delicate frame. Her hands clung desperately to his neck. Tears streamed down her face, dampening his chest as she pleaded with him.

"Erick, don't leave me," she whispered between sobs, her voice trembling with desperation. Her large, watery eyes locked onto his, shimmering with vulnerability. "I'll be careful. I promise your wife will never find out. I won't cause any trouble. I just want to stay quietly by your side."

She buried her face in his chest, her words muffled but insistent. "Please, Erick, don't leave me."

Her tear-streaked face, framed by disheveled locks of silky hair, tugged at Erick's resolve. His hands hovered uncertainly over her trembling shoulders before finally settling there, his touch hesitant. For a moment, guilt flickered across his face, but it was quickly overtaken by an inner battle between his desires and his obligations.

"Let's... talk about it later," he muttered, his voice unconvincing even to himself. He gently extricated himself from Sabrina's grip and straightened his shirt, avoiding her eyes.

Sabrina sniffled and nodded as though she had won, her lips curling into a faint smile of triumph as Erick turned away.

***

Not long after, Bianca's phone buzzed with an anonymous message while she rested in her hospital bed. She hesitated for a second before opening it, the dull ache in her chest tightening as the image loaded.

It was a photo of Erick in the shower, his back crisscrossed with fresh red scratches.

The bile rose in her throat, but Bianca swallowed it down, her face remaining a mask of icy composure. She locked the screen without a word, then turned to the doctor, her voice steady despite the turmoil roiling within her.

"Please arrange for a full checkup for me," she said quietly.

The doctor frowned, her pen pausing over the clipboard. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Bianca's lips twitched into a hollow smile. "No. I just need to make sure everything is... in order."

Erick, after all, had been with so many women. She needed to make sure she hadn't contracted anything.

***

The hospital's automatic doors hissed open and the crisp evening air hit Bianca's face as she stepped outside. Waiting just beyond the threshold was her closest friend, Elisa, her arms open wide in welcome.

"Bianca," Elisa called softly, her expression warm yet laced with concern.

The sight of her friend's comforting presence broke through Bianca's fragile composure. Tears welled up in her eyes and without a word, she walked straight into Elisa's embrace. Elisa wrapped her arms tightly around her, one hand stroking Bianca's hair as she whispered soothing words.

"Let it all out, Bianca," Elisa murmured. "Cry it all out. Then stand up again."

Bianca clung to her friend, her sobs wrenching and raw. The anguish she had bottled up poured out in waves, her cries echoing through the cool night.

"I wanted this baby," Bianca choked out between sobs, her voice breaking. "But Erick... he destroyed everything."

Elisa's grip tightened as her friend's words sank in. She didn't try to offer meaningless reassurances. She simply held Bianca, her quiet strength an anchor in the storm of emotion.

As Bianca's tears subsided, a fiery resolve began to take their place. The burning hatred in her chest turned her sorrow into steel.

By the time she pulled away, her tears had dried and her expression was calm—a chilling calm that sent shivers down Elisa's spine.

Hate stemmed from love. But as the child was gone, so too was Bianca's love for Erick. All that remained was her determination to disappear from his world.

***

Back home, Bianca methodically began packing her belongings. Each item she touched was imbued with memories she no longer wished to carry.

The jewelry Erick had gifted her, the designer clothes he'd picked out with such care—all of it went into boxes, ready to be sold at a fraction of their worth. Every item she packed away felt like shedding a layer of her past.

She paused when her hand brushed against a black and gold box tucked in the back of the closet. She hesitated before pulling it out.

Inside was ninety-nine love letters Erick had written during the early days of their courtship. She held one up, the faded ink and careful handwriting bringing back a flood of bittersweet memories.

"Bianca, these letters are proof of my love for you," Erick's voice echoed in her mind. "We'll be together forever. You can't leave me halfway through."

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. "And yet, you left first," she whispered to the empty room.

Carrying the box to the backyard, she set it on the edge of a pre-prepared bonfire. One by one, she fed the letters to the flames, watching the paper curl and blacken before crumbling into ash.

***

When Erick returned home, he immediately noticed the faint scent of smoke lingering in the air. Panic surged through him as he hurried into the yard, only to find Bianca standing silently by the fire, her expression unreadable.

"Bianca," he called out, relief washing over him at the sight of her. "Why did you leave the hospital without telling me?"

Bianca turned her gaze toward him, her eyes calm yet cold. "Weren't you busy?"

Erick froze, the accusation hidden in her tone striking a chord of unease.

He'd intended to return to the hospital sooner, but Sabrina clung to him, tearfully begging for a child. His resolve weakened and they had unprotected sex twice more.

By the time he arrived at the hospital, Bianca was gone. Worse, the once-welcoming staff now treated him with cold indifference, refusing to answer his questions about Bianca. He had no choice but to rush home.

"I'm sorry, Bianca," he said after a pause, his voice softening. "The meeting ran longer than expected. That's my fault."

She didn't reply. Her eyes drifted back to the fire.

It was only then that Erick noticed the burning remnants of paper curling in the flames. He stepped closer, his brow furrowing.

"What are you burning?" he asked cautiously.