In my haste to make a run for the bathroom, I almost fell flat on my face. I managed to untangle the bedsheet around me and within seconds, I was kneeling before the toilet bowl and puking my guts out.

"Mrs. Baldwin?" A gentle voice called.

"Almost done." I replied amidst vomits.

My maid, Lisa, waited until I was done. I flushed, then gently stood to go rinse my mouth and wash my hands by the sink.

"Yes, Lisa?" I turned to her when I was done.

"Your tea is ready, ma'am. It'll help calm your stomach." She said.

"Thank you. Where's my husband? Did he return home last night?" I was still weak but my stomach was stable a bit.

Christian had not been home last night. Due to my morning sickness and other pregnancy-induced factors, I had been unable to wait for him.

"I think he's in his room." She commented, following me obediently back into our matrimonial bedroom.

"In his room? You have no idea if he came into our room last night?"

That was new. Why was he in his room? We both had our separate rooms but we rarely used it. Every of our belongings were here in our bedroom.

"No, ma'am. Shall I go make breakfast?" She asked.

"Yes, thank you." I watched her walk out of the room.

His room? Since when? Maybe he had a long, tiring day. I took some of the tea. Waited for my stomach to calm before taking my morning bath.

Lisa was yet to serv breakfast, so I decided to go see my husband as he was yet to come see me. On reaching his door, I heard low noises.

Was he in there with someone? What was that noises? Was he watching TV? Then I heard giggles. What the hell?

I knocked. The sounds ceased but he did not open the door. I knocked again. "Christian?"

I heard shuffling of feet and he opened the door, but it was only half an inch. "Hi."

"Uhm...who are you with? I thought I heard voices." I frowned in perplexity. As though my heart knew something was not right, it began to beat fast.

"That was probably the TV." He replied.

"Why don't you just tell her the truth, Chris." A female voice spoke from inside the room.

"W-what... w-what..." I pushed past him and entered the room to see... "Your ex? What is going on here?" I was struggling not to tremble.

There must be some kind of logical explanation.

"Hello, Hailey." She waved at me from the bed, wrapping the sheets around her tighter.

"A-are y-you n-naked?" I just wanted to be sure. I didn't know.

They both chuckled. I turned to Christian.

"What's funny, Christian? What's happening?! Don't stand there and laugh!" I swallowed tears, blinked my eyes to keep from bawling.

"Because you keep acting dumb and asking stupid questions when it's all laid out for you." He smirked.

Properly observing him, I now noticed he was clad in just his undershorts.

"You're..." I pointed from him to the girl. "B-but you said she is your ex."

"Well, I lied. She was never my ex." He shrugged.

Pain squeezed tight. I rushed to him and began hitting him, I could not hold back the tears anymore. "Y-you...w-why would you do this to m-me? I'm your w-wife!"

He pushed me roughly, I fell to the ground, hitting my waist on the floor. A sharp pain spread in that area instantly, my wails only got louder.

"Did you remember you being married when you had a one night stand with a total stranger on our matrimonial bed?!" He yelled, anger spread his features.

"W-what? N-no. I...I thought you'd forgiven me. I...it was a mistake. I told you, p-please don't d-do this." I shook my head, crying profusely.

Pain rocked my system both emotionally and physically.

"Hear her, Denise. Forgive her." He directed to the girl on the bed, there was taunting in his voice.

"She must be delusional." Denise mocked, laughing.

I helped myself up with some difficulty because of the pain. "Why are you doing this, Christian?"

"You fucking cheated on me and got pregnant. Now you're refusing to abort it. You expect me to put up with you having another man's child and raise that bastard with you?!" He pointed at my stomach.

I was speechless. Tears could only fall. What was this? What had I done to myself? I could not defend myself. He had seen me in bed with another man.

I could not lose my marriage, I really loved him. I went on my knees. "I'm s-sorry, babe. P-please. I can not defend myself but p-please, forgive me..." I sniffled. "I... k-know you're still angry but p-please. I guess we're even now. You've paid me back, p-please let's just move on."

"Exactly. We should definitely move on." He walked away from me and went to join Denise on the bed.

He kissed her cheek while I was still on my knees, I must look foolish and pathetic to them in that moment.

"What are you trying to say?" I was almost afraid to ask but I had to know.

"You should move on with your pregnancy, and I move on with my company and my new woman." I watched in despair as his hand rubbed her arm affectionately.

The sight was blurry. "What do you mean? The company is not yours, it's m-mine."

"You must be really dumb, Hailey. Remember you signed over the papers to me."

"O-only because you said the board would not respect your decision until they see proof you really are in charge."

"And you bought the lie, fortunately for me." He chuckled.

"For us, baby." Denise corrected, her lips widened in a victorious smile.

"Oh yes, for us. Sorry." He pecked her temple.

"B-b-b-bu..."

"Enough of your stuttering. It's beginning to get on my nerves. Pack your things and get out."

"Uh?" I could not believe this.

"Everything now belongs to us, Hailey. Wake up to reality. Now up you go and out." He climbed out of bed to come drag me out.

"N-no." I dodged his grip and went at Denise. I pounced on her despite the pain I was feeling around my waist. "L-leave m-my h-husband alone."

She screamed and tried to fight me off. I sank my teeth on her upper arm and pulled the skin.

"Stop it!" Christian came to drag me away.

He made sure I was outside the room before he closed. I went back to pound on the door. "Christian! P-please!" I wailed.

The door opened, he was dressed now. He dragged me, I tried to fight against him but I was no match for his strength.

"W-what are you d-doing?" He was pulling me roughly towards the gate.

It was an electric gate, it opened as soon as we were close. He threw me outside, I hit the ground again. He locked the gate so I would not be able to enter.

I stood there in the glare of the bright day, humiliated and hurt. And worst of all, felt a pain that made me want to curl up. Nausea gripped me, a throbbing came on.

I didn't have the strength to stand. So I sat there crying. He soon brought out my bags and threw my many purses along with them.

"Denise says she likes your stuff so she's keeping the rest. Don't come back. Go meet that stranger you cheated on me with."

Then he locked the gate again. For hours, I sat there, crying and fighting the urge to throw up.

It's been two days. Two days since I last saw my husband. I had no choice than to lodge in a hotel when I saw it was getting late.

Thankfully, one of the purses he had thrown at me contained two of three of my credit cards. The third one was in my drawer.

I had to get myself a new phone because my old one was on top of my bedside table when I left. I was hurt but I was also trying to understand that he was angry.

He had seen me with another man and now, I was carrying another man's child. I tried calling him yesterday since I had his number off hand, he had picked at first but as soon as he heard my voice, he ended it and didn't pick again after that.

I was now in a restaurant trying to eat. My baby needed food to survive. Even though I was not hungry, I was obligated to eat for my baby's sake.

I did not like the hotel's food so I found this really nice restaurant close by.

But after toying with the ravioli I ordered, I pushed it away. I lowered my head so no one would see the tears.

"Is the food not to your liking, ma'am?" The young waitress who had served me approached my table.

I quickly used my napkin to wipe my eyes. "No, it's good. I'm just not really hungry." I raised my head but I refused to look at her face.

"I would not mind getting you something else, it will be on the house. We like to make our customers happy." She was really polite but she was not my problem this moment.

The food wasn't as well.

"No, but thank you. Just take away the dish and bring my bill, please." I cleared my throat, still avoiding her eyes.

"If you say so, ma'am." She quietly cleared the plate and went to get my bill.

Events began rushing back into my head but I held back tears. My gaze was stationed on the entrance of the restaurant, watching people come in but not really seeing them.

Until him.

My heart pounded as I blinked to make sure I was seeing clearly. It was him. I would never forget that face.

In the whirlpool of emotions, I threw common sense out the window and rushed up to him. "You!"

He turned a blank expression to me. "How may I help you?"

It was him. "How dare you stand there and act like nothing happened when you ruined my life! Tell me, who paid you? How much were you paid?!"

"What are you on about young lady? Do I know you from somewhere?" His expression now held annoyance and mild irritation.

That made me angry and more tears fell. "You're claiming not to know what happened?! The night of my birthday party?"

I was attracting crowd but I did not care. This man had ruined my life, I had the right to be crazy.

"P-please, I beg you. Come let's go tell Christian I had no hand in whatever happened, p-please." I clutched the lapel of his jacket. "Let's go. You need to tell my husband you were paid."

"Young lady, you're harassing me." His tone was cold and his stare granite.

But I could care less. "You harassed me first! You had sex with me without my consent, my husband knows and now I'm pregnant with this child he doesn't want. You ruined my marriage! I-I hate you!"

He was trying to get me to release his jacket but I only gripped tighter. "I can have the police arrest you, woman!"

I flinched at the low degree turn his tone had taken. I released him automatically. I looked around, everyone was already watching so I had nothing to lose anymore.

I went on my knees. "Please, if you have any conscience, save my marriage. Tell my husband the truth. I swear I won't involve the police just please." I pleading, my voice trembling with tears.

"What is this woman talking about, Mr. Johnson?" A man asked.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Black, I'll have this sorted out in no time. Please, you can take your seats." He told the men beside him. "Get up!"

The tone was low but the command behind it had me getting up quickly. I sniffled. "Will you clear this mess for me, Mr. Johnson?"

He pulled me outside the restaurant. "Are you crazy? Were you sent to ruin my meeting with my clients?"

Despite his angry tone, I felt the urge to retort. "It's just your meeting, you can always have more meetings but I can not have more marriages or more of my husband, can I?! You knew what you were doing when you decided to take advantage of a drunk, married woman who just wanted to enjoy her birthday party!" I stomped my feet in frustration and anger. "You had se..."

He closed the distance between us and held the front of my shirt tightly. "Don't push it with me. I don't hit women but keep up with this attitude, I just might make an exception in this case."

"You..."

"Shut up!"

I clamped my lips immediately, feeling scared of this guy and his menacing aura, alongside hopelessness.

"If I see you anywhere near me, I won't trust myself not to hurt you. You hear me?"

He released his hold on me.

I stared at him. I could not have the wrong person. It was him. Why was he denying me and making things harder for me?

"I understand if you do not want to make a public confession, you can make a private one, Mr. Johnson."

Maybe he was scared of letting everyone know what he'd done.

He gave me the coldest glare ever. "Stay out of my way."

He made to leave.

"What am I supposed to do with this pregnancy all by myself, Mr. Johnson? I sleep in a hotel because my husband won't let me into the house. I just need you to say the truth, clear the air with my husband." I was desperate at this point.

"I won't repeat myself." Then he walked inside.

I walked back into the restaurant. I allowed my eyes roamed the place, I spotted where he was seated.

I marched towards his table. He was with some men. There were glasses of wine before them and a bottle.

There was the waitress who had served me coming towards me. "Ma'am, here's your bill. I..."

I ignored her and focused on the table of these men. I randomly picked two glasses still filled with wine and emptied their contents on him, angry tears filling my eyes.

"I hope your conscience haunts you everyday of your life!" I took the other two wine glasses while he stared in shock and also poured them on him. "I hope you never find peace and may your marriage, if you have any, and life in general be ruined the same way you ruined mine." I wiped tears with the back of my hand. "I hope karma visits you and steal your happiness as you have stolen mine."

I turned away from his table and, on heavy legs and with a despaired heart, walked to mine to get my bag. I opened it and brought my card, I could not stop crying.

There were gasps and whispers. They could say all they wanted, my life was already a scandal.

I handed it to the waitress. "Just take whatever's on the bill, I need to leave."

The waitress harbored pity in her eyes for me. I watched her slid the card.

"Who's the manager here?!" That evil guy boomed angrily.

I saw a waiter hurry towards his table with a clean cloth, he was trying to wipe the stains. I looked away.

"It's not working, ma'am." The waitress said.

I frowned. "That can't be. I have money in there, it's supposed to work. Try it again."

She did and said the same story. "It's still not working, ma'am."

My heart dropped form its natural position. This could not be happening. Had Christian blocked my cards? I brought out the second one. "Please try this."

She did. "Same thing."

"Oh God." Panic set in. How was I going to survive? And I had no cash with me.

I brought out my phone and dialed his number. It rang but he didn't pick up. Three more tries and he picked.

"You're disturbing me, Hailey. I have no..."

"No. No. No. You don't understand. Wait, listen to me. Did you block my cards?"

"When I said everything now belongs to me, I meant it. Now stop disturbing me." He ended the call.

"Ah...ah..." A broken cry escaped my lips. With shaky legs, I propelled myself to my seat.

Eyes were still on me. I knew people would think of how crazy I was acting up, but they would not understand.

"I don't..." How would I tell the girl I could not pay for the food I barely ate? It made me regret not taking her up on that offer of a second chance free food as she had thought I didn't like the first food.

"Ma'am, I wish there's something I can do to help you but my hands are tied. Maybe you could talk to the manager."

"Is the manager available?" I sniffled, struggling with tears. My eyes hurt from too much crying.

"Unfortunately, she's not and her assistant called in sick." The waitress informed.

"Then why did you even suggest talking to her if she's not fucking available?!" I raised my voice in frustration.

She looked taken back.

I blinked, sniffled and sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm sorry."

"It's okay, ma'am. Please let me know when you're ready to pay."

She left to go attend to some other customers. There was no way I would be leaving here without paying.

I placed my head on the table, not knowing what to do. I remained that way for quite a while, silently crying and constantly trying Christian's number.

"Good day ma'am."

I raised my head to see two uniformed men standing close to my table. "We received a report of public harassment from Mr. Johnson here." One of the men pointed at him.

He stood, his shirt was stained with wine, his hair had become sticky. And he was more than angry. "Officers, take her away."

"You have the right to remain silent, ma'am." The policeman lifted me up from the seat.

"I..." I met his stare and shut up. There was nothing to defend.

The waitress hurried towards us. "She's yet to pay for her meal." She informed the policemen.

I hung my head in shame. I tried to hold back my tears but I could not.

"I'll pay. Let them take her away." The Mr. Johnson told the waitress.

I picked up my purse as they took me along with them. My eyes met his only for the briefest moment before I looked away.

"Serves her right for behaving like a lunatic." I heard a woman say.

"She belongs in the asylum not the cell." Another whispered.

"How can a woman act so uncouth? And in public? Embarrassing." Another said.

These words cut through my heart and I bled more. I was a good person, I always had been. My father had always thought me to be nice and kind and never let his wealth make me become someone I'd hate.

I loved just one man. Had the perfect life with him. He had been there when I lost my dad. But everything was changing and I had no power over it.

I was pregnant. Homeless. My credit cards had been blocked. No hope of survival. I had a baby to raise. Should I had agreed to abort the baby?

Maybe Christian would take me back. Why did I ever think that he would want to raise another man's child? I should have obeyed and gotten rid of the pregnancy.

I entered the back of the police vehicle, quiet and defeated.

"I have lost." I whispered to myself.

For some reason, I turned my neck and through the back of the car's glass, saw him outside the restaurant watching.

He stared at me with an unsmiling expression and went back inside. I still could not understand why he had denied me.

I was sure he was the man. I had seen his face and it was one I could not forget. The height, build and features were all same and exact.

"I didn't do anything, officer. The man that called you actually raped me while I was drunk and unconscious, you have to believe me, please." I looked at both men flanking my both sides, urging them with my eyes to believe me.

They merely looked at each other and chuckled.

"Be careful what you say of Mr. Johnson, ma'am, else, we'll add character defamation to your list of misconducts."