Lily’s Pov

My husband was locked in a tight embrace with another woman as he caressed her hair with such tenderness that he'd never shown me these past few months.

“Andrew?” I called out, my voice sounding rough at the end.

My husband turned his forest-green eyes toward me and he frowned.

“What are you doing here?” he scowled at me, “Are you following me? Did you come to spy on us?”

“Andrew, I —” I started to say but he interrupted me sharply.

“Save it!” he snapped, “You’re vicious and you have the guts to spy on us? After everything I've done for you, a simple request is what you couldn't honor, now look at what you've done to her!”

He moved out of the way and I was able to see the woman. Despite the slight swelling on her face and her puffy eyes, I could recognize her anywhere.

It was Kira Bennett, my husband’s childhood friend who returned from London seven months ago. I frowned, why was she with my husband?

The scent of lilies and Jasmine wafted through the air and hit my nostrils like a shock flowing through my body. A small gasp escaped my lips as I suddenly realized why all these months, my husband was smelling different. When I asked him, he said he changed his shampoo.

True to his words, he changed them but standing in this room now the scent was overpowering and it was so feminine I knew it was Kira’s scent.

But maybe I was just overreacting and I couldn't be certain about everything.

“Really? After all, you put her through, you can't even ask what happened to her?” Andrew’s cold voice cut through the air, interrupting my thoughts.

“What happened to her?” I asked with a resigned sigh.

“She had an allergic reaction because of you! I told you to bring the fucking seafood but you didn't and when she went out to eat one she reacted!” Andrew snapped.

My breathing stopped for a bit as I stared at him, my mind racing and my eyes suddenly filling with tears. The seafood he had been hurrying me to bring which had caused me to have an accident and lose my baby was all because of Kira?

“How… why… did you not see all my calls and texts?!” I finally snapped.

Andrew seemed taken aback as he glared at me, “When you don't do what I say you should do, why should I pay you any attention?”

“Drew, let her be. I'm sure Lily was just busy,” Kira finally spoke.

“Busy?” Andrew scoffed, staring at me, “Apologize to Kira right now!”

“Apologize?” I gasped, shocked.

“That’s not necessary, Lily. What are you doing at the hospital?” Kira asked.

For a second I was grateful for the question, “I had an —”

“It hurts, Drew! Ouch!” Kira cried out suddenly, interrupting me.

Andrew turned his attention back to her as he hugged her, leaving me standing in front of the door without even bothering to know why I had shown up in the hospital.

Over his shoulders, I saw a smug expression on Kira’s face as she stared at me. It then hit me as I staggered back to my room. Kira had asked the question on purpose to show me that Andrew didn't care about me as much as he cared about her.

The rest of the day went by quickly as my mind kept going back to the subtle changes that had occurred with Andrew which I'd been too complacent to notice.

First seven months ago on our third wedding anniversary, he left our romantic dinner to go help pick up a friend from the airport. The friend who he later revealed was Kira when he invited her to join our anniversary date.

At that time I hadn't thought of it as anything but as I replayed the past seven months in my mind I realized I'd been too trusting with Andrew.

His late nights, late calls, new scent, but that was all there was. I didn't have much proof to show that Andrew was unfaithful. Maybe he just cared too much about his friend because she had escaped a violent marriage when she arrived and a few weeks later she found out she was pregnant.

It’s all probably in my head, I nodded as I drifted off to sleep.

The following day I was discharged and warned to avoid any strenuous activity. I went to check on Kira but the nurses informed me by gushing over how she was carried out bridal style by her husband after being discharged.

I tried not to think too much about it as I went back home in a cab. When I arrived I saw two footwear outside, that of my husband and a female footwear.

That's when I heard the voices coming from the kitchen. It belonged to Kira.

“Drew, are you certain about this? I don't want your wife to get upset and I don't want to intrude. Maybe you should discuss it with her first and let her know that I’ll be living here from now on.”

Lily’s Pov

My breath caught in my throat as my feet moved swiftly to the kitchen. Before I could stop myself I snapped, “You’ll be what?”

Andrew turned around at the sound of my voice and frowned, “Keep your voice down before you upset her.”

I scoffed, “Upset her? Why would you make such decisions without discussing it with me?”

“I’m sorry, Lily, it’s just my house had a gas leak this morning and Drew thought since I’m pregnant it’d be nice to bring me here. Please don't be upset, I’ll leave right now,” Kira said, tearing up.

I scoffed, I could see right through her pathetic act as she tried to stand up and leave but she groaned and almost fell. Instantly, Andrew was beside her as he held her.

“Rest, Kira, and eat up. I'll discuss it with Lily,” he said.

Kira nodded and sat down as she started munching on the plate of food in front of her. I was certain Andrew had made those pancakes. It had his signature smiley face he drew with honey syrup on it.

The last time he made me pancakes was seven months ago and he'd said it was our special dish now he was sharing that with Kira.

“Come with me,” he said sternly.

He took me to our bedroom and locked the doors.

“Kira has to stay here till she gives birth. I can't risk her staying alone beside, you owe her. She took a trip to the hospital yesterday thanks to you,” Andrew said.

I scoffed, “Yeah, like she was the only one in the hospital.”

Andrew sighed, “I’m sorry for not picking up your calls, Lily, but I was upset. Kira is pregnant and I'm sure you don't know how that feels because you've never been pregnant.”

His words cut so deep I bit the insides of my cheeks to choke down a sob as the doctor’s words echoed in my head again.

“We tried everything but we couldn't save the baby.”

“Lily, Kira’s father, helped me with my business years ago before he died and made me promise to look after Kira. I didn't do that and that was why she returned to us, beaten within an inch of her life. Every day I blame myself, maybe if I had helped her and kept my promise to her father she wouldn't have gone through that. Now we have a chance to help her, don’t you agree, Lily? It’s just for a few months,” Andrew’s voice pulled me back to reality.

I blinked back the tears and looked away, the same old story he's been telling me anytime I complained the last few months that he's paying more attention to Kira than me.

“She’s pregnant, Lily!”

“I let her father down, Lily!”

“Without her father, I wouldn't be the man I am today and you wouldn't be enjoying my wealth, Lily.”

“She’s been through hell, Lily, sympathize with her!”

“Yeah, whatever!” I snapped.

He hugged me and kissed my forehead, “You’re the best!” Then he wrinkled his nose and stared at me, “Why do you smell like antiseptic?”

“Drew!” Kira’s voice sounded from the sitting room and just like that the concern that had been on Andrew’s face a few seconds ago faded as he rushed out of the bedroom.

I stayed in the bedroom until I heard the sound of Andrew’s car as he drove off. I'm sure he was heading to work.

A few minutes later the door opened and Kira walked into the room with a haughty expression on her face.

“I love this room, Lily, I’ll tell Andrew to give me this room when he returns,” she said.

I smiled coldly at her, “Whatever you want, Kira.”

Kira giggled, clapping her hands excitedly, “Yes! You've finally accepted the fact that I'm superior to you and the woman your husband loves.”

“Keep dreaming, Kira,” I stated.

Kira laughed, “Oh, and by the way, Drew didn't see any of those messages. I made sure of it.”

My eyes widened in anger, “You monster, I could have died!”

Kira shrugged, “It would have made things easier for my son. I'm sure he wouldn't want to share Drew with anyone else.”

“Just wait, I’ll tell Andrew about this and he’ll know you’re just putting on an act,” I threatened but Kira merely laughed.

“You still don't get it, do you? Andrew is mine! Maybe you need a lesson for you to realize that,” Kira said.

I ignored her and walked out. I needed to stock up on groceries now that we had another mouth to fill plus I didn't want to spend a second with Kira in that house knowing that she knew I lost my baby and didn't say anything, I might throttle her!

I was determined to tell Andrew the truth tonight, he didn't know anything and he was being manipulated by Kira.

I finished shopping and went to the library to read and clear my head. I must have lost track of time because when my phone beeped it was already evening.

I frowned when I saw it was a message from Kira. I opened it and saw a picture of Andrew kissing her. The phone fell from my head with a clatter as I shook my head.

No… it can't be… Andrew will never…

Gasping for breath I hailed a taxi and headed back home certain Kira was playing a prank on me. But when I saw Andrew’s car in the driveway my heart sank.

I rushed toward the house as I heard the unmistakable sound of moans coming from my bedroom.

Lily’s Pov

“Oh, Lily, you're back,” Kira was smiling coyly at me.

I blinked, my mind muddled with confusion. I had just arrived and pushed open the bedroom door without thinking and expecting to see the worst but instead, I saw Kira snuggled in my husband’s arms.

They were both fully clothed and watching a movie on the television which was where the sex sounds were coming from.

“What… what is going on here?” I asked, stuttering.

Kira had sent me a picture of her and Andrew and now what I was seeing was nothing like that picture. Kira’s face crumpled into a frown as she began to cry.

“Oh Andrew, I knew we should have discussed it with Lily. I feel so horrible, just let me go home alright,” Kira cried.

I frowned, still confused about what Kira meant. The scene in the movie has changed now so the annoying sex sounds have stopped.

“You just can't stand seeing Kira happy, can you?” Andrew scowled at me.

I was surprised at his hostile tone, “What did I do? I'm just coming back.”

“Kira can't stay in the guestroom, the bed makes her woozy and sick. The bed in our room is very comfortable for her so I asked her to move into our room. Now you've returned wearing that annoying frown on your face and scaring the poor girl,” Andrew stated, hugging Kira.

I blinked, trying to wrap my head around his words, “Wait… I don't understand. Kira has moved into our bedroom? Our matrimonial room?”

Andrew frowned and kissed Kira’s forehead, “Rest, and don't worry about anything. Let me talk with Lily.”

Kira nodded as Andrew walked toward me and dragged me out of the room, his tight grip making me wince.

“You’re hurting me!” I cried.

He loosened his grip and sighed, “Listen, Lily, Kira has been through hell! The last thing I want is for her to be uncomfortable.”

“But she can be comfortable in other rooms,” I stated, glaring at him.

“No!” Andrew snapped, “It’s just a fucking bedroom, Lily, if you want I’ll buy you a new house.”

“But that's our room. Ours! Okay, do the three of us sleep there now?” I queried.

“God, no!” Andrew snorted, “Kira will stay there. I moved your things to the guest room, don't worry it’s just temporary till Kira gives birth.”

I nodded, biting the insides of my cheeks to stop the torrent of tears that were ready to roll down my cheeks. My husband moved out my things from our room and welcomed another woman.

“So where will you be staying?” I asked him.

Andrew scratched his beard and sighed, “Don’t get mad, Lily, but you know Kira still has nightmares from that night with her ex-husband so I’ll be staying with her anytime I’m at home.”

I scoffed, “So you push me out and welcome your first love in our bedroom?”

“It’s not like that, Lily,” Andrew sighed, “Stop being difficult. Kira is pregnant, you don't know what that feels like. Try to understand.”

A tear rolled down my cheeks at his words, “Of course, I don't know what that feels like!”

Then I stormed off and went to the guest room they had prepared for me. I folded myself into a ball and bawled my eyes out before dozing off.

***

I woke up with a start, my heart beating as I stared around the bedroom to see Kira staring at me with a smirk and my body drenched with cold water.

“Kira? Did you pour me water?” I asked, frowning.

Kira scoffed, “What do you think? It’s morning, get your lazy ass out of bed.”

I frowned as I sat up and looked at the bedside table, “Excuse me? You don't get to tell me when I wake up or go to bed in my house.”

Kira giggled, “After yesterday, and seeing as you're sleeping in the guestroom, are you sure this is still your house?”

I glared at her, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kira smirked, “Nothing. Just that your husband is mine and the picture I sent you yesterday was very real.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, Kira, Andrew just feels sorry for you so he's trying to help you,” I said.

Kira chuckled, “You still don't get it, do you, Lily?”

“Get away from me, Kira, I don't wish to start my day by seeing your face,” I snapped, before standing up.

Kira smiled, “Oh sweet pathetic Lily, she cried herself to sleep in the guestroom and she still doesn't know the truth.”

“What are you talking about?” I queried.

“What do you think Andrew will do if we’re both in trouble?” she asked, smirking.

“What do you mean?” but before I knew it, Kira shoved me back so forcefully that I fell and hit my stomach on the edge of the bed.

I felt a sharp pain below my abdomen but before I could scream, Kira let out a loud scream.

“No, Lily, stop it! I'm sorry!” Then before my eyes she lay down on the floor, howling in pain and cradling her stomach.

“What… what is this?” I managed to ask, grinding my teeth at the sharp pain I felt.

At that moment the door burst open and Andrew stood in the doorway, his eyes wide with fright.

“What is going on here?” he asked.