The silent tap on my door forces me into a stop as I was currently rummaging through the draws in my bedroom, my mind occupied by Tyson's neck tie that I've been hell bent on finding.

Navy blue with grey polka dots. That was his favorite neck tie and after coming home last week, I realized I didn't find it in our laundry. So I put it upon myself to look for it.

Before I could say a word, the door pushed open and Michael, Tyson's younger brother who had arrived from school to stay with us from a few days popped his head in.

"Kate, aren't you going for the dinner at the backyard?"

I'm surprised. I never heard about any dinner.

"Mom and everyone arrived." He adds.

"Everyone? Is there a special occasion?"

He shrugs his shoulders before disappearing. I'm confused for a considerable amount of time as I was never informed about any dinner, let alone with the entire family.

I changed into a real silk dress and rushed out.

At the backyard, on top of the stone tiles grounds was a long dinner table, occupied by most of Tyson's family. His mother, Abigail is seated at the top side, his younger sister, Rebecca, always so cunning seated next to her.

I notice Tyson's uncle, Jamal and his family – his wife Carol and child Austine and Isabelle seated opposite of them.

Tyson's late father's sister, Maggie is seated right across too and surprisingly, Tyson's cousin, Lucas who has become his closest friend is seated next to him too.

I see a chair reserved for me and a few more empty seats.

This is the first time a dinner is happening outside the house and I just had a bad feeling about it. Everyone at the table were people of power, as Tyson's family are very powerful and influencial people who ran multiple empires across the countries.

Once seated, Tyson takes up his glass "thank you everyone for coming. Tonight, I have a beautiful announcement."

As if on cue, a hear clicking of shoes from up front and I looked to see Stella walking in, her hand cradling her semi protruding stomach.

Stella gives me a sly smile before going over to Tyson who takes her hand admiringly. My heart stopped.

"Everyone, Stella and I are expecting a child. An heir to the Vezuela empire!"

Everyone in the table clapped excitedly, excited mumures exchange.

But I just sat there, feeling betrayed. Tyson was supposed to be my husband, how could he betray me like this, getting someone else pregnant? I felt angry but chose not to show it, so I joined in clasping my hands.

"Congratulations" I manage to say.

Stella who doesn't seem so pleased each time she set her eyes on me smiles fakely and replied "thank you so much."

I catch hold of Tyson's eyes and I didn't know if it was pity or regret I saw in them. How could he do this to me? And surprising me like this.

While the talks continue, Stella walks behind me to take a seat but leans over me and whispers "don't be too pissed, Kate, I'm only doing what you couldn't do. This is what the Vezuela empire needs."

I wanted to slap her, but instead I whisper back "be careful, Stella. Just because you got pregnant doesn't make you so special."

"Well at least I got pregnant."

"That's enough." Tyson cuts in. He thought that would appease me? No

"Excuse me, I need some air." I say and rose up, leaving the dinner.

With every step that I took, I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

In the confines of my room, I was dwindling in the thoughts of Tyson's betrayal. I was too lost in my thoughts to notice Tyson's presence in the room, not until he called my name.

"Please, don't. I don't need to hear anything. You made your choice." I cut him off.

"Stella, it's for the company." He said defensively.

I laugh at his selfish joke. "For the company? Or for yourself! You slept with Stella and got her pregnant and you stand there to tell me it's for the company? What company Tyson?!"

"I didn't want it to happen this way, Kate..."

"But you did it and you consented to it!"

Suddenly, we hear a drum splitting scream from outside followed by a crash.

Scared, we both run outside to find Stella collapsed on the floor.

"Stella!" Tyson calls as he crouches over her, aiding her "call the doctor!" He screamed.

I stood there, watching as he tended to her, fear in his voice. And everything made sense to me then. He was scared, in the ways I've never seen before. He wasn't just scared about the child, he was scared for Stella.

Which begged the question: was there more reasons why Stella is really here in my family?

I follow behind as Tyson sweeped Stella into his arms and rushed her towards the bedroom, the family doctor, Doctor Richard who had arrived as soon as possible directing him.

The sight throws me into a deep thought. The way Tyson looked, the way his body looked, like he was so scared of anything happening to Stella. He has never looked like that with me before. He has never cared for me like that before.

Even the time that I was involved in a car accident while coming from work, and had spent a couple of weeks at the hospital, I don't remember Tyson looking so worried about me.

And the realization hit me. He loved Stella.

At they hauled into the room to treat Stella's bleeding, I remained in the halls, dwelling in my thoughts.

I still remembered the first time I saw Stella. Tyson had informed me that we would be having dinner with someone when he gets home from work. He had only stated that she was the daughter of a very close business associate and they wanted to strike a deal and work together.

What I never expected was to see a very beautiful young blond woman walking in through my doors. She was tall and slim, with huge busts. She looked young and very pretty, far from what I was expecting when Tyson had told me about her.

When we had dinner together, she seemed nice even though I perceived different of her.

Tyson was a beautiful man and over the years, I knew some women wished to be in my place. But that night, I never realized the woman who was going to replace me was her.

Their business plan worked and a few months later, I thought they started getting close.

My suspicion rose a higher level when I saw a earring in his office room couch one day and the earring wasn't mine. What were the possibilities that Tyson had brought Stella into his office and fucked her?

Tyson has a strict rule that doesn't allow any woman into his office when he is dealing with company related matters. I was an exception of course but he never lets us get intimate there. So why was a woman's earrings in his office room?

When I confronted him, he'd only laughed about it and said "come on Katie, don't be jealous over some earring. Any woman could have come into my office and left it there. It doesn't mean anything happened between us."

I had my doubts still but chose to take his words for it.

Looking back now, I'd been right about my suspicions that day. Tyson and Stella did get intimate in his office.

I sank down, tears falling from my eyes.

Tyson and I have been trying to have a child after getting married. I never stopped praying and hoping for the miracle. After eight years of marriage, I would think it's natural to lose faith. Six years into the marriage, it seemed Tyson had lost all hope. He no longer cared for me the way he used to. He slowly shut down and stopped trying. He didn't have the enthusiasm that he used to have, that he used to approach me with.

And suddenly, that light was back in his eyes. And it wasn't for me but for Stella, for the chilled she harbored in her stomach.

Anger surged through me and I scream, throwing my shoe on my marriage framed picture with Tyson which was set on top of the draw table opposite to me.

Deep down I side, I secretly prayed that Stella lost her baby.

After a few hours, the doctor announced that he had been able to stabilize Stella and that she and the baby were out of danger. Even with the amount of blood she lost from falling down, the baby wasn't harmed. Even though she was okay, the doctor demanded Tyson stay with her and with that, I left for my room, to wallow in self pity and cries.

I cried myself to sleep that night.

When I woke up, I tried desperately to understand the concept of my life. Stella has succeeded to replacing me and in the process taking my husband away from me.

The pain was nothing I've ever felt.

Just then, my phone beeped and I saw a text message from Tyson: "meet Stella and I at the Mirage, we're having breakfast together."

My heart sank for the umpteenth time, as I stared at my phone until the screen went out. I furiously started texting him back. I wasn't going to go there and having breakfast with him and Stella.

But I stopped quickly as a thought occur to me. No, I'm not going to keep doing this to myself. Time to go there and show her who I truly am and let her know that she has stepped where she shouldn't have.

I pushed the door to the Mirage restaurant and stopped to look around. I'd intentionally stalled time so I don't have to come and wait for Tyson and Stella but to my surprise they were already here.

I catch sight of them sitting close to the glass wall at the corner, Tyson's hand caressing Stella's arm. Stella's hand is crouching her barely visible stomach and the sight just irritates me.

I walk over to them, Tyson quickly sitting properly as he sees me.

"Katherine! I'm so glad you could join us!" Stella says excitedly and I narrow my eyes at her, wondering why she was calling my full name.

"Yes, Kate, thank you for joining us." Tyson says.

I try to avoid seeing his eyes and just say down opposite the two of the. The pain of this sight was slowly recrotchetting in my mind. The way he looked at her just fueled my anger more. He could be courteous of me at least.

Stella was an attention seeking person and I couldn't get past how she was clinging on to Tyson's arm, all to provoke me but I maintain a straight face.

"I just wanted us to spend time together for the sake of the baby," Stella says, breaking the awkward silence "I believe that's what's best for the baby. I'm truly happy to be carrying the Vezuela Heir and I'm truly happy for your support, Kate.... And.... Tyson has been so sweet, he has been so helpful through everything......."

She nudges Tyson's shoulder, as if waiting for his supportive words.

Tyson seems shy to say a bit but beams a small smile and responds "yes Stella, the baby comes first. And I will do anything for him. The child's health comes first"

What an eye sore. I don't know what to do or say while I'm here. The thought that Tyson didn't only sleep with her and got her pregnant, he is also taking care of her made me pissed andost importantly, pained.

"Naturally" I respond with a tight smile.

Stella emboldened by Tysons support, leaned forward, and her eyes locked with mine.

Speaking of health, it's been amazing how smooth this pregnancy has been. I suppose it's because Tyson has been so involved. But you know, Kate, a mother's bond with her child starts in the womb. It's all about who's closest to the baby.."

It was a jab and an insult, but I refused to take the bait.

"Well, Stella, you should enjoy it while you can. Being pregnant is one thing; being a wife is entirely different. Youll never understand it's weight."

Her smile faltered, but Tysons expression hardened.

"That's enough, Kate," he said firmly. "There's no need to undermine Stella. She's carrying our heir, something you..."

He stopped, but the damage was done. My heart tore apart. I knew the word - barren. I met his gaze with a stoic expression.

"Come on, Tyson. Finish what you were saying."

He looked away and guilt fell on his face, but he turned to Stella.

"Please let's not turn this dinner into an argument. Its supposed to be a celebration."

"Celebration?" I chuckled. "If that's what this is, then by all means, raise your glasses. But don't expect me to toast to betrayal"

Stella gasped dramatically, like she was in shock.

"Katherine ...I don't think it's fair. I didn't mean to..."

"Is it?" I cut her off with a sneer "and don't you speak my name again."you shouldn't have forced yourself to fit where you didn't belong. And Tyson, you let her. So don't tell me to stop!

Stella turns to me now with anger burning furiously in her eyes.

"I belong here, exactly with Tyson." She snaps back.

"No, Stella. That's where you're wrong. You're here because Tyson allows you " I shot back.

"Can you two stop?!" Tyson snaps.

"No Tyson! I will not stop! You betrayed me, you betrayed us, our love, my trust? You betrayed everything and now I'm suddenly being too much for you to handle?!"

"Kate, you need to stop right now. All that I'm saying is that...."

"Yeah, I'm just supposed to let this go right? Because you aren't in my shoes, Tyson. You can't even begin to imagine what I'm feeling. You can't even feel it." I say with gritted teeth.

"When will you realize that this isn't about you, Kate?! This is about the company and if you can put your pride aside maybe you would see that!"

His outburst shocked me. So I rose up, fixed my dress and started towards the day.

Before the door, I heard footsteps and turned around expecting to see Tyson but instead I see Stella.

"Running away like a coward, Katherine?" She whispers to me mockingly.

My fists clench while I tried hard to calm my nerves down. All I wanted to do now was to give her a neck splitting smack right now.