A LOVE TO MEND

"Congratulations, Mrs. Davies. You are six weeks pregnant." As the words of the doctor replayed in Ashley's mind for what seemed like the hundredth time, a trail of joy and happiness surged through her. An uncontrollable, unfathomable smile of victory played on her lips, revealing all her incisors. Yes, at last she is pregnant. Finally, she is carrying the heir for the mighty Charles Davies.

She hurriedly got into the car; in fact, she would have loved to teleport if possible. Her excitement barely contained as she instructed the chauffeur to drive her to the Davies's mansion. She couldn't wait to share the news with her husband, to tell him face-to-face that they were expecting a child. She was certain he'd be thrilled; he had always longed for a child with her, despite having no real feelings for her.

Charles and his family had constantly belittled Ashley, making her feel less of herself because of her status and her inability to conceive. She had spent countless nights soaking her pillow with tears, praying fervently for just one child. But now, with this pregnancy, she was certain the story would change. She could finally stand tall, have her proud moments, and feel a deep sense of fulfilment.

As the car weaved through the streets of Las Vegas, Ashley placed her hands on her stomach, gently patting it. She could hardly believe it-a life was growing inside her.

"Thank goodness," she smiled again. Of course, who wouldn't smile? She has achieved her greatest desire. Her ticket to her husband's heart, her chance to let everyone know that she wasn't completely useless. Hopefully the man would come to love her now that they were expecting a child together.

Upon arrival, she ascended upstairs hurriedly, the sound of her feet simultaneously echoing with her voice.

"Charles!"

"Charles!!"

"Charles!!!" Her excitement was palpable-she was as happy as a kid in a candy store.

There was no answer, just total silence. Her feet barely touching the ground, she raced towards the bedroom. "Ouch. Ouch," she heard soft, intimate moans coming from the bedroom. She froze. Immediately, her whole body started trembling and her heart thundering in her chest.

"No, this can't be. I must be hearing things," she murmured to herself, shaking her head vigorously in disagreement, trying so hard to deny the cruel reality happening before her.

She swallowed hard, her feet moving on their own as she realised she had heard right, and this time she could hear the intense moans more clearly, her stomach twisted in knots.

With tears welled up in her eyes, she lifted her hands, reaching for the doorknob, and then she paused, wiping off the tears that slide down her cheeks.

She wanted to run faraway to erase the reality of the terrible sight of her husband making out with his mistress on their matrimonial bed, but the pull of the truth was stronger than her fear.

She turned the doorknob and walked in. She saw him in bed with Isabella. The same woman who has always dwelled in her husband's heart. The evil temptress behind the turbulence in her marriage.

The scene before her shattered whatever remained of her composure. Isabella was squatted on the bed while Charles-her husband-was thrusting into her from behind, one hand holding unto her waist while the other one fondling her firm breast as she kept moaning and holding tightly to the bedsheets, like her life depended on it.

Oblivious of her presence, she screamed. "Charles." He turned his head, his gaze meeting hers. For a moment, he paused, but there was no remorse in his eyes, only irritation that he had been interrupted from his sweet adventure.

Ashley could see the pleasure and satisfaction that spread across his face. Something he had never felt towards her. The lack of guilt sent Ashley reeling. Without another word, she turned and ran, her vision blurred by tears.

Her feet stumbled down the stairs, but she barely noticed the pain. She was too overwhelmed with pain and emotional torture to give a care. Her mind was spinning-a storm of betrayal and disbelief.

She has always been aware of Charles cheating spree with his childhood sweetheart, Isabella, but it has never crossed her mind that he would do it on their matrimonial bed. The same bed, he fucked her?

Charles Davies is a cute and tall, strikingly handsome billionaire; his broad shoulders and build make him athletic. His jawline was sharp and well defined, and his eyes were dreamy, which made young women line up to him for a relationship.

Ashley was tall, slender with beautiful features, timid, and the daughter of his family chauffeur.

Ashley and Charles were only able to get married because of his grandfather, who refused him marrying Isabella and insisted on him marrying Ashley before he could finally be in possession of his inheritance.

Despite the fact that Ashley loved her husband dearly, he has always spat it on her face that she would never get his love no matter how hard she tried.

Grabbing her bag, she dashed out of the house and hailed a taxi, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. She decided to head to Hailey's-her best friend's-residence.

She pulled out her phone, her hands shaking as she dialled Hailey. When Hailey's voice came through, it was calm and familiar. Ashley's voice was trembling with the weight of her tears barely holding it together. "Hailey... Are you ho-me?

She could see the taxi driver glance at her through the mirror, but she was too hurt to feel embarrassed. Hurt to the bone marrow to want to save her face.

Hailey was surprised and saddened by the intensity of her tears. "Yes," she replied. "What's going on?" she inquired; the concern in her voice was evident.

"I will.....be at your place soon," Ashley said, disconnecting the call.

The ride to Hailey's felt like an eternity. As she walked in, she toss away her bags, sank onto the sofa, and sighed. Hailey moved closer to her, sitting by the edge of the chair, her hand on Ashley's shoulder.

"Hey, Ashley. Why would you sigh like that?" Hailey's voice was soft, but her eyes widen with concern as she pushed back Ashley's hair from her face.

"And your face, they are swollen and red," she asked, every of her questions triggering a new set of emotions.

There was a moment of silence, and only Ashley sobs resonates through the room. Hailey then pulled her into an embrace, patting her back and constantly whispering comforting words in her ear.

Hailey could feel Ashley's hot tears dropping on her back, and she pitied her friend. The woman has always had a difficult life, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away, reminding herself that she was supposed to be strong for her friend and comfort her.

When the sobs finally subsided, Ashley wiped her tears. Her voice hoarse as she explained what transpired to Hailey.

Hailey gasped, her hand flying towards her mouth in shock. "What? Her face was covered in sadness. " On your bed? On my God, Ashley. So what did you do?

"Nothing, Hailey. Nothing," she whispered, holding her head in frustration. "What could I have done? What was I supposed to do?"

Ashley actually knew that she should have done something and not just stormed out of the house like that, but in reality, she had no idea what to do. She just wanted to disappear from the house or wanted the ground to swallow her up alive.

Hailey's expression tightened, a mix of fury and disbelief. "You should have confronted him. You shouldn't endure such despicable treatment," rage simmered within her, yet her voice filled with empathy as she desperately wished she could shatter the bones of the pair who had hurt her friend.

Ashley bit her lower lips, the weight of Hailey's words crushing on her. "I'm pregnant, Hailey," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

Hailey's expression softened, her anger melting into sympathy. "Congratulations," she said; her smile was genuine and warm. "I'm happy for you, Ash."

Ashley nodded mutedly. All the joy she had felt just hours ago melted away. Hailey pulled her into another embrace, offering her all the comfort and solace that she needed to feel better, but she never felt better; instead, she kept feeling worse with each passing second.

She spent the night at Hailey's, unable to face Charles or the empty house.

The next day, she got to the mansion, which was oddly quiet. Charles had gone off to work. He hadn't cared about her wellbeing or where she spent the night.

She pushed away the thoughts and went to the kitchen. She prepared Charles favourite dish and set the table, hoping that the act of kindness would help smooth things over, and she also planned on breaking the pregnancy news to him.

Charles came back from work some hours later. His cold demeanour commands the room, highly disgusted by Ashley's presence.

"Hello," she said in a calm, soothing tone, carefully masking the pain that simmered beneath the surface.

She stood up in an attempt to give him a hug, but he shoved her away, and she lost her balance, falling into the couch nearby.

Glancing at his face, Ashley noticed that his eyes were dark and cold, more intense than they have been in their three years of marriage. His expression was like that of a brimstone, threatening to tear down the whole place.

"Where did you go last night?" His tone was sharp and commanding as he slammed his briefcase on the table. A cold aura radiating from him, ready to unleash its fury.

Ashley's mouth fell open in disbelief. What? He can't seriously be angry, right?

As she was about to say something, his voice cut through her. "You know what? I don't care," he said dismissively. He pulled out a brown envelope from his briefcase, tossing it onto the table.

"Sign it. It's a divorce agreement," he spat out. The words piercing Ashley like an arrow and shattering her heart.