"Let's get a Divorce!" Rose said with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Ethan paused, like he hadn't heard her correctly, "What?"

"I'm divorcing you, Ethan! I'm tired of this!" Rose threw her hands in the air in fruatration.

Ethan's eyes darkened, his jaw ticked as he stepped closer. He was so close to Rose that she could feel his heat making it hard to breathe.

"I'm the only one who can end this marriage and I assure you Rose," He said in a dangerously low tone, "I have no intentions of divorcing you."

..........

She thought marriage would be the answer, that after crushing on him for over fifteen years it would finally pay off. Rose was the perfect wife, and slowly Ethan started to warm towards her but everything came crashing down when the love of his life returned.

it was then that she realized she was just warming the bed and he would never choose her.

But is that how Ethan felt? Had his feelings changed and he wanted Rose instead? Or was it true she was just a temporary replacement and he wanted his childhood crush back?

~ Ruined Anniversary

"Rose, did Ethan and you divorce? I've just seen him on the news. It says he went to pick up the love of his life.” Natalie, Rose's best friend asked.

“What are you talking about?” Rose half laughed.

“Girl, turn on the news. Now!” Natalie said and cut the line.

Rose was sure there was some sort of mistake but when she rushed to the sitting room and turned on the TV, her knees felt weak and her heart sank to her feet.

Sure enough, pictures of her husband and a very beautiful woman were trending. The pictures showed how Ethan was looking at the woman with a gentle gaze. With his hand on her waist.

Rose's heart sank even further as she felt like someone was pricking her with needles.

'He's never looked at me that way,' she mused.

Reporters had surrounded them as questions were thrown their way,

“What a beautiful couple, is she the mysterious wife you've kept hidden Mr.Sinclair?” One reporter asked.

“You two suit each other! A match made in heaven. Do you have any plans for your third anniversary?” Another asked.

“When-” Rose took the remote and turned off the TV before the third question could be asked.

“Beautiful couple?” She repeated the words that tasted like sand on her tongue.

She walked back to the dining table and sat with tears falling down her face while she rubbed her stomach where life was growing inside her.

After three years of being married, she was finally pregnant and her heart was swelling with joy. She planned to share the news with Ethan today. But now, her heart felt broken, It felt like an iron fist had reached inside her and began to squeeze her poor heart.

Rose knew Ethan never loved her as much as she did or even half of how much she loved him. She knew Zoe was always the woman he loved since they were young. But since she married Ethan and Zoe went abroad, they had become closer in the past three years.

Rose didn't understand why Zoe decided to return on their third anniversary. Just as Rose was lost in her thoughts, the door unlocked and Ethan walked in.

Ethan placed the car keys on the table before facing her, “ It's so late, why haven't you slept yet?” He asked.

“I've been waiting for you,” Rose responded.

“Why were you waiting for me?” Ethan asked.

Ethan's brows met in confusion until his eyes landed on the neatly placed wine glasses and the food which was still untouched and that was when it hit him.

It was their anniversary and he had returned home late and empty-handed. He looked guilty as he stepped closer to Rose,

“I'm so sorry Rose. It must have slipped my mind. I was too busy today, I'll buy a gift to make it up to you.”

Rose couldn't believe it, he was being so casual like he wasn't late for their important day and worse off, as if he didn't choose to spend time with another woman on their special day. She pressed her lips into a thin line and looked at him,

“I saw the news. You were picking up another woman, Ethan! Today of all days?” She asked, her voice cracking with emotions.

Ethan hesitated for a few seconds and continued,

“Zoe just landed and I met her by chance as I was checking on our new project. She complained about her driver having trouble getting to her on time. So I dropped her off at the hotel.” he explained as he held her hands into his.

Rose softened, her broken heart beginning to function once again. 'I guess it was only a misunderstanding.’

‘I’ll make it up to you.” His gray eyes softened and melted all the anger she had from earlier.

She nodded with a smile, “Okay,” She whispered and he squeezed her hand one more time before pulling away. Her heart was pounding hard against her chest as she looked at the zip bag where the positive pregnancy test was,

“I have something to tell you,” She smiled, “I’m-” Her sentence was cut off by the vibrating of Ethan’s phone.

He put a hand up to stop her from speaking as he swiped right, “Hello?”

Ethan’s phone volume was loud enough for Rose to hear the other end, “Ethan!” Zoe cried on the phone, “I’m so scared!”

“Did something happen?” Ethan asked, a concern laced in his voice. The concern that Rose longed for, the affection that he had never shown her even once during their three years of marriage.

“I need you, please come over.” Zoe continued to cry and before Rose knew what was happening, Ethan was already picking up the car keys he had placed on the table,

“Let’s talk later.” He said to her and walked away.

Rose ran after him, her heart in pain. Tears falling on her face, “Ethan!” She cried. Grabbing onto his arm.

“Rose, I don’t have time for this.” He pulled his arm away from her roughly making her stumble backward a little...

“Ethan, please! Please don’t leave me, not tonight! “ Rose begged,

“I’m not leaving you, I’m just checking on Zoe. She’s afraid of the dark and there has been a power cut. I’ll be back as soon as it’s fixed.” Ethan explained and Rose laughed through her tears.

Like she had not heard him correctly, “You’re leaving me alone on our anniversary because Zoe is afraid of the dark?” She asked, the sentence sounding even more ridiculous when she repeated it.

But Ethan didn’t even respond as he walked out the door.

Rose stood there watching the door as if expecting him to jump right back in. With tears falling down her face, she walked back to her room and sat still staring at the wall, her mind was blank and all she could feel was pain.

~ A vistor

A soft knock woke Rose as her eyes fluttered open slowly. She had a slight headache from crying the previous day.

On her bed was a bouquet of Roses with a note which read,

[I’m sorry about yesterday, Happy 3rd Anniversary.]

A smile stretched Rose’s face as she lifted the flowers to smell them. She was allergic to Roses which was funny because her name was Rose. But she held them with a full heart, ‘He must have been in such a hurry that he forgot about my allergy.’ she thought just as Ethan walked in.

“Good morning,” He said.

“Good morning, thank you for the flowers,” Rose responded.

Ethan nodded as he sat on the bed, “You wanted to say something to me last night?”

Rose’s eyes lit up, all pain forgotten as she placed the rose flowers on the side table and picked up the zip bag where the positive pregnancy test was, “Yes, I have some news. Ethan, I’m-”

Her sentence was cut off by a knock on the door. “Just a moment.” She said to him and walked to open it and found that it was Amanda, their maid.

“Good morning, Mrs Sinclair.” She smiled respectfully.

Rose was in a great mood and hearing that name made her day even brighter, “Good morning Amanda,” She smiled back.

“You have a visitor,” Amanda said but Rose’s brows met in confusion. She wasn’t expecting anyone and because Ethan kept their marriage a secret, no one ever visited him at home,

“Do you know who it is?” She asked.

Amanda nodded, “Yes, she said her name was Zoe Smith.”

Rose’s mood dropped and her stomach twisted in knots. She knew that name very well but she wondered what she wanted, ‘Did she come over thinking he was still the single man she left years ago?’ She mused as she offered Amanda a smile.

“Thank you, I’ll be there shortly.” She said but before she could turn to inform Ethan, he was already on his feet, and that made her wonder if he was expecting her.

“I’ll go check on her,” Ethan said when he noticed Rose was walking behind him.

‘Like hell, you will!’ Rose thought to herself as she offered her husband a small smile,

“We can do it together, besides, it’s only right that I welcome her too. We are also childhood friends, right?” Rose said, placing her hand on his and locking their fingers together.

Ethan watched her, his expression was unreadable as they walked downstairs, hand in hand.

Zoe who was standing in the foyer heard footsteps and turned with a smile but her smile dropped and her hands clenched at her side when she saw that Ethan wasn’t alone and not only was he holding hands with Rose, but she also had a huge diamond ring on her finger.

Her eyes blazed, but she quickly recovered and flashed them both a smile. “Good morning, love birds.” she smiled as she pulled Rose into a small hug and later moved on to Ethan and hugged him too his hands hanging loosely at his side.

“It’s good to see you after so long, Zoe.” Rose smiled as she gestured that they walk into the living room.

“It’s good to be back, I feel like I have so much I need to catch up on.” Zoe half laughed as they took a seat.

Rose watched Ethan and wondered if the feelings he always had were still there, her mind was spinning in thoughts when his deep voice spoke,

“Welcome back, can I know what made you come early in the morning?” Rose asked with a smirk.

“Oh yes,” Zoe responded, turning to grab Rose’s hands and placing them in hers. “My secretary just informed me that you guys were celebrating your third anniversary yesterday. I came to speak to Rose and apologize for ruining your day. I know you probably had plans and because Ethan helped me, they must have been ruined.”

“I understand that you needed help.” Rose smiled, as she searched her eyes to see if she was telling the truth.

“Yes at first, I was so stranded and if not for Ethan, I would have probably stayed there longer, the second time I was so afraid of being alone. I’m sorry Rose, don’t be mad at him.” Zoe said, sounding apologetic and Rose believed her.

‘He probably felt guilty and asked Zoe to come over and clear the air.’ Rose thought.

“No problem,” Rose responded.

Ethan’s phone vibrated and he excused himself leaving Rose with Zoe alone.

With a huge smile on her face, she squeezed Rose’s hand, “Thank you so much for understanding.”

Zoe pulled her hand away and something caught Rose's eye. Throwing all the hope she had out the window.

On Zoe's wrist, was the bracelet that she had been asking Ethan to buy for her. The bracelet was very expensive and could only be purchased by order which took six months to be made and a few weeks for someone as powerful as Ethan Sinclair.

Rose thought Ethan would give the bracelet to her as a gift for their 3rd anniversary, but now the bracelet was on Zoe's wrist.

She looked at the beautiful colors and a lump formed in her throat when she realized that the one Zoe was wearing had the exact colors she chose.

“Did you love the flowers?” Zoe’s voice pulled her out of the web she had sunk in.

Rose cleared her voice, trying to mask the hurt she was feeling, “How did you know I got flowers?”

“Because I picked them.” Zoe smiled, as she reached forward to grab a glass of juice.

“You picked the flowers Ethan gave me?” Her stomach twisted into painful knots

Zoe looked at her like she was not getting the message, “No Silly, Ethan bought those for me. But I asked him to take them and give them to you instead.”

Rose’s eyes widened into Saucers, “Ethan,?-” The name sounded like a broken record, she couldn’t believe he would disrespect her like that.

She stood and was about to call him out when a scream reached her ears, making her halt her steps,

“Ouch!” Zoe cried, as the glass she was holding shattered into pieces.

Ethan heard a crash and rushed back in, “Shit, are you okay?” Concern was evident in his voice and it broke Rose to see her husband care for another woman the way he never cared for her.

He checked Zoe and searched for any injuries, his touch was delicate and his eyes shined with concern. He was about to check on Rose when she pulled his wrist making him turn to face her,

“No! I’ve cut my leg Ethan,!” Zoe cried, “I have a show this week what will I do?” She grabbed onto him and began to sob into his shirt.

“Let’s go and have it checked.” He lifted her bridal style and walked out without another word.

~ A misunderstanding

“Rose, are you sure you’re okay?” Natalie asked.

Natalie had rushed over to her house the following day to check on her best friend. She was very worried, especially after seeing the news.

Tears formed in Rose’s eyes as she held her best friend's gaze. Words couldn’t form so all she could do was shake her head as the walls came crashing down.

“You saw the news, Natalie, My marriage is about to end!” She buried her face in her hands her heart tearing into shreds of pieces.

“Because of that bitch? She’s so shameless! Hanging onto a married man like that? Just say the word and I’ll give her a very friendly visit!” Natalie held Rose in her arms.

Rose knew her friend was anything but friendly and that made her laugh. She peeled away from her and wiped her tears, “Ethan seems to be still in love with her, I mean you should have seen how he almost flew when she called yesterday!”

“And you’re just going to sit and watch her snatch what is yours?” Natalie asked in disbelief.

Rose sighed, feeling like she was carrying a ton of bricks on her shoulders, “What else can I do? He's always loved her.”

Yes, it was true that she still loved Ethan and he had been good to her for the past three years. She thought he would eventually fall head over heels for her as long as she kept doing her best. But since Zoe has come back, the formula was looking like it had expired.

It was like she had moved one step forward and ten steps backward. It reminded her of when they had just gotten married three years ago, or when she had a crush on him since she was a kid.

“What do you mean? You've had a crush on him for so many years and you've finally gotten married. It’s your marriage, Rose! Fight for him for crying out loud! You two have been getting closer each day for the past three years. He has never mistreated you before has he?” Natalie asked.

Rose shook her head while biting her lip and Natalie continued, “Exactly, so why should that desperate witch come and ruin what you’ve built? The problem began the day she showed up put her in her place!” Natalie said and leaned back in her chair.

After a few minutes, Rose responded, “You’re right! He’s my husband. She’s the one who should know her place.”

“That’s my girl! But seriously, if you need me to whoop her annoying ass, I know some people.” Natalie leaned over and whispered.

Rose threw her head back in laughter as Amanda walked in with a tray of coffee cups.

“Thank you, Amanda,” Rose said.

Amanda nodded respectfully and walked out.

Natalie took a cup and wanted to give it to Rose when bile rose in her throat. She stood and quickly rushed out of the room.

A few minutes later, Rose returned and Natalie gave her a smug look, her eyes twinkling with anticipation, “What was that? Rose, are you?” She left the question hanging in the air.

“Yes!” Rose smiled as she sat back on the couch when Natalie placed the cup back down on the side table and pulled her friend into a tight hug.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be a godmother! Oh, congratulations my sweetheart!” She squeezed her even tighter!

“Natalie!” Rose said between laughs, “You can let me go before you suffocate me!”

Once they had pulled apart, Natalie leaned closer, “Have you told Ethan yet?”

“No, I was going to yesterday but, well you saw the rest,” Rose responded with a painful stab to her heart.

It still hurt that Ethan left her like that. Not once but twice in one day!

“Well, you need to! This my friend is the magic that will wipe away that witch from your lives!” Natalie said with a smile.

“You think so?”

“Of course!”

******

Rose felt warm hands on her head as they brushed her hair backward. Her eyes opened slowly and landed on the handsome face that always made her heart race.

“Hey,” He said softly.

“Ethan?” Rose asked as she sat up.

Ethan didn't know that Rose was pregnant and wondered why she went to bed so early.

“You went to bed so early today, I brought you something.” He said and Rose’s heart began to beat wildly against her chest, ‘Is it the bracelet?’

“What is it?” Rose asked in a steady voice even though she was shaking inside.

“Turn over and close your eyes,” Ethan said and Rose turned and gave him her back.

Rose felt a cold chain wrap around her neck. When Ethan turned her around, he had a look of regret in his eyes and it made Rose’s heart race.

“I’m sorry Rose, I couldn’t find the bracelet that you wanted. The one I had made for you was broken by Zoe accidentally when I dropped her off so I could only get you a necklace.” He reached for her hands and held them in his.

The touch felt like an electric shock and Rose felt her walls crumble down. All the anger she had pent up was melted by the gray stormy eyes that stared deep into her soul.

Ethan’s gaze always managed to bring Rose to her knees. He rarely touched and looked at her that way, but when he did, Rose suddenly couldn’t remember how to breathe.

“I forgive you, but you owe me dinner.” She teased.

Ethan never joked with her and she expected him to dismiss her request but he shocked her when he responded and said,

“No problem, I wanted to do it yesterday but Zoe’s leg had been injured and she has an important show coming up. I felt bad since she got injured in our home.” Ethan squeezed her hand.

Rose‘s heart clenched at the way he spoke about Zoe, It was clear to her that he still cared about her and it tore her to shreds.

“Okay.” She gave him half a smile as she wondered if he would care about Zoe the same way when he found out she was pregnant.

Ethan’s eyes softened and his blank expression returned and he stood,

“Tomorrow evening, we have to go to Grandpa’s house. He invited us over for his party.”

Rose nodded as a thought crossed her,

‘This is great! I can announce the news tomorrow with everyone present. I’m sure Ethan and Grandpa will be happy.’