'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.

Bianca's voice was steady, her face emotionless as she stared at the burning flames.

"Just some trash that had to be burned."

Erick's brows furrowed, an inexplicable unease creeping into his chest. His eyes darted to the fire, trying to discern what exactly was fueling the flames. The flickering light cast shadows across Bianca's face, making her look distant and unreachable. He stepped closer, his instincts urging him to inspect further, but just then, Sabrina's voice rang out from behind.

"Erick!"

He froze mid-step and turned to see Sabrina entering the yard, her expression as radiant as ever.

"Why are you here?" Erick asked sharply, his tone betraying his uneasiness.

Sabrina blinked innocently and turned her gaze to Bianca. "I heard my sister is pregnant, so I came to check on her and congratulate her."

Erick's eyes flickered with a mix of guilt and annoyance. "I'll let you two talk then," he muttered, clearly eager to escape. "I'll go upstairs and change."

As Erick disappeared into the house, Sabrina moved toward Bianca, her almond-shaped eyes crinkling with a practiced smile.

"Sis, I'm so happy for you," she said cheerfully, clasping her hands together. "I can't wait to meet my little nephew."

Bianca met her gaze, her own expression calm but cold, like the surface of a frozen lake. The betrayal stung more sharply than any blade could. For years, Sabrina had been her closest confidante, the little sister she had doted on and trusted completely. And now, she stood here, shameless and smiling, after tearing Bianca's life apart.

"Are you really happy?" Bianca asked, her voice laced with a subtle edge.

Sabrina's smile didn't waver, though her eyes briefly flickered with unease. "Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"

Bianca forced a smile, suppressing the urge to lash out. The tension between them was palpable, like a coiled spring ready to snap.

"I'm happy too," Bianca said softly, the lie tasting bitter on her tongue.

The invisible weight pressing on the air seemed to dissipate slightly and the moment passed.

Not long after, Erick returned downstairs, now dressed in casual attire. His gaze darted between the two women, lingering on Bianca's pale face. Concern etched itself into his features.

"You should be resting," he said gently, stepping closer. "The hospital is better equipped to monitor you. Let me take you back."

Bianca shook her head. Her tone was polite but firm. "The doctor said it's fine as long as I rest at home."

She didn't wait for his response. "I'm tired," she added, excusing herself before turning and walking toward the bedroom.

Erick watched her retreating figure, a growing sense of frustration gnawing at him. He turned to Sabrina, hoping for answers, but she merely shrugged, her expression unreadable.

"Can I stay over tonight?" she asked suddenly, her voice sweet and persuasive.

Erick frowned. "Don't be ridiculous," he hissed under his breath, glancing toward the stairs.

But even as he rebuked her, there was no finality in his tone.

***

Later that night, the quiet of the house was broken by the soft click of the bedroom door unlocking. Erick stirred and sat up, his sharp instincts immediately alert. His first thought was of Bianca, lying beside him. He glanced over to confirm she was still asleep, her breathing steady.

In the dim light, he saw the intruder—Sabrina, her silhouette framed in the doorway.

"We agreed I'd come to you," Erick whispered harshly, his voice low enough not to disturb Bianca.

Sabrina stepped inside, her lips curling into a playful pout. "I missed you," she murmured, her bare feet padding softly across the floor.

Erick's jaw tightened. "Go back," he said, his tone more pleading than commanding.

Sabrina ignored him, her movements fluid and deliberate as she approached. She reached out, trailing her fingers down his arm. "Relax," she whispered. "I gave her enough sleeping pills in her milk. She won't wake up."

Erick's eyes flashed with disapproval. "Don't do that again," he warned, his voice sharper now. "She's pregnant. It's bad for the baby."

Sabrina pouted, her fingers tracing circles on his chest. "Got it," she said lightly. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she leaned closer. "But you can't deny you enjoy doing it right next to her."

Erick looked away, unable to meet her gaze. The guilt was suffocating, yet the forbidden nature of their affair was undeniably intoxicating.

Under the covers, Bianca's fists clenched so tightly that her nails bit into her palms. Her body trembled with rage, but she forced herself to remain still, her breathing even. She had heard every word.

***

It wasn't until nearly two hours later that Erick and Sabrina finally left the room. Bianca waited until the door clicked shut before sitting up, her movements shaky. Her stomach churned violently and she barely made it to the bathroom before vomiting.

The betrayal she had witnessed left her raw, the emotional wounds bleeding fresh. She clung to the sink for support, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The woman looking back at her seemed like a stranger—her face pale and drawn, her eyes hollow.

A loud crash broke the silence as Bianca, in her daze, accidentally knocked over the metal rack by the bathroom door.

The noise jolted Erick awake. In a flash, he was at the bedroom door, pushing it open with force.

"Bianca?" His voice was thick with panic.

Bianca looked up from the floor where she had fallen, her face devoid of expression.

Erick's eyes darted between her and the fallen rack, but his concern quickly gave way to suspicion. His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "When did you wake up?"