<Don't give your heart to someone with a broken one- Charlie Puth>

|Jadesola|

Thursday, September 16, 2021

TODAY WAS my husband's birthday. Neither had he told me nor was he anywhere to be found.

I stared at the manila envelope, his birthday cake and the ultrasound present on the center table. My eyes strayed past the TV and slid up to the clock in his living room. It ticked 5 minutes after 11 pm.

Closing my eyes, I reclined further into the sofa, settling my palm on the lower section of my slightly rounded belly.

Since yesterday morning, Kian has been AWOL. Only a sticky note stuck on the nightstand had indicated that he was going to meet Zaviero and finally obtain that car deal I'd rid him off. He was unaware but I'd actually begged Zaviero to grant him another offer. After a deep consideration on his part, Zaviero had accepted. Except that my husband had never made it to the meeting. Zaviero had called me and I'd stood in his stead, acquiring the contract and holding onto it for Kian to sign.

Where was he?

I heaved out a huge sigh and crossed my legs whilst rubbing soothing circles on my belly. Courtesy of this pregnancy, my emotions were all over the place, anxiety and anger being the foremost. How dare he leave me in the dark and not enquire about my health or his baby's? I'd rang him up a zillion times but my calls always went to voicemail.

Stupid, stupid man, snatching my beauty sleep away.

The door jarred open and so did my eyes. He was here. Finally!!

Jumping up, I stood and tied my green robe over my lacy nightie securely. My flip flops slapped against the tiles as I rushed towards him, my arms spread wide in a hug. All the anger withered, happiness filling me in torrents at viewing my husband's sexy features.

"Kian!" I cried in a loud voice, embracing him tight. "You're finally here. God, you had me worried to death because of your absence. Where were you?!"

Relieved, I sank my cheeks into his shirt. He stank of cheap perfume and wine but I paid no heed, overjoyed.

Minutes passed and I realized he wasn't hugging me back. Neither was he replying to my questions. Surprised, I withdrew my hands, stepping back to observe him.

My inspecting eyes zoomed over his attire quickly. Clad in a rumpled black suit, his tie was askew and so were his slacks, like he'd slept in them overnight and rushed into them in the morning. His hair fell back in waves, the blonde strands messy as well. Stoic, his face was shuttered, there was nary any iota of expression written on it. Those deep blue eyes that I could drown in, glittered with a cold light, bleak and wintry. A key and a briefcase swung from both hands.

"What is the matter?" I asked softly, cupping his cheek. The bristles on his jaw felt rough on mine; he hadn't shaved.

Kian said nothing. Rather in reply, his lips thinned, nostrils flaring wide in fury.

Okay. . .

I lifted my hands away. "Fine. You're in a bad mood, that much is obvious. And I should be biting your head off for leaving me this worried and not even checking up on me but I'm too glad for that."

He averted his gaze, jaw ticking. My merry feelings soured but I ignored that action. He was probably tired, that was it. Also, today was his birthday so I wouldn't scream or shout at him. Yet. I had no idea where this soft part of me stemmed from but I embraced it.

Shifting behind him, I relieved him of his suit, undid his tie and placed them on the coat rack. Gently pried off his briefcase, keeping it near the door.

As I did all these, I rambled, nervous, "If you won't tell me about your days, I'll tell you about mine. So today, I went to the office for a while but there wasn't much to do. Ryan stood in for you and our baby wasn't letting me rest either so I left and headed for prenatal care."

I paused, waiting to see if he would reply or at least signify he was listening. Only his harsh breathing met my ears.

Sigh.

Smoothing my palms over his taut shoulders to ease whatever tension he was experiencing, I continued, "The doctor was nice as I had an ultrasound. She gave me the results, saying our baby is healthy and there are no complications. She also said that the gender of our baby is still unsure, that I could come in at 14 weeks to be certain. But that's by the way, I have something I want to show you. Maybe it will make you happy!"

I gripped his wrist and tugged him to the center table. He dragged his feet behind me, definitely not as excited as I was. "You know, if Sarah hadn't told me, I wouldn't have been aware today was your birthday. That was silly of you, hiding it from me. But like I said, I'm too glad to query you right now. And oh, I baked the cake."

Releasing his wrist, I bent down to light up the lone candle on the cake's red surface. It flickered into life, flaring brightly as I carried the tray up, my lips stretched in a wide grin. "Happy twenty-eighth birthday, my love!"

Kian's body tensed and for the first time in forever, he spoke, voice as hard as granite, "Go to bed, Jadesola. It's late."

Then he sidestepped me and stalked inside the hallway.

What the hell?

Swift fury charged through me, my previous anger surfacing and I settled the cake on the table. My robe flapped around my ankle as I stormed after him.

"Are you fucking with me?" I cursed loudly, ignoring my pledge to quit using swear words while I was pregnant. "Kian, come back here right now! I was willing to forget that you were MIA for nearly two days, but leaving me like this? With no answers? Boy, you don't know who you're messing with!"

His retreating back headed inside his study, oblivious to my frenzied yells and knotted fists. The door slammed shut.

"Kian!" I banged on the wooden door hard. "Open this door and come out right now. Kian!"

Zero response.

Infuriated, I tried again, yanking at the metal handle and screaming at the top of my voice, "See, I'm fed up with your mood swings. If anyone should have them, it should be me! I'm the pregnant one here, the one carrying your baby so fucking grow a pair, open this door and talk to me like a man!!"

The door remained in its previous state. Locked.

"Fine! Stay there. Or better yet, rot in there! I don't give a damn. If you won't talk to me, I'm not bothering myself anymore."

Silence greeted me. Again.

When it dawned on me that my husband was giving me the silent treatment for reasons best known to him, a frown etched itself between my brows and I halted, lowering my hands in defeat.

Misery tore at my heart, ripping it to shreds as I slumped against the door. How had I erred? Did he hear something about me? Stomach churning with nerves, I ransacked my head for any damaging actions I'd done in the past months since I'd met him, but none came to mind. So what exactly was his problem?

What did I do wrong for goodness sake?!

Gathering my broken pieces together, I trudged slowly out of the hallway and into the living room. My eyes darted towards the cake he'd rejected. All my efforts he'd tossed down the drain. Vision altered in a sea of rage, I snuffed out the candle's light and dumped the cake inside the fridge.

My chubby form shook, furious as I headed to our bedroom, removed my robe and slid under the silky, soft sheets.

Why was he treating me like this? Just why? I mulled, the answers eluding me. But I grabbed onto the fact that, at least he was home and a part of me that had prayed for his safety was calm.

Exhaustion hit me–from hours of being awake, waiting on him and within minutes, I was dead to the world, falling asleep.

Cold fingers lingered over the skin of my arm and my eyes flew open in panic.

"What?!" I started, rising to a half-bent position and gripped the duvet higher, regarding the man who sat inches away with a dazed vision. My drowsiness faded once I realized it was Kian. Hissing loudly, I pushed further into the sheets, granting him my back.

The bed dipped with the weight of his body, his lips bestowing kisses down the arch of neck as he yanked the sheets away from my body. Winding his fingers around the hem of my nightie, he dragged it up. Wintry air caressed my nude body, the area between my thighs pulsing. Beating.

Pushing down the traitorous feelings, I snapped, fierce, "Don't touch me!"

"You would deny your husband his marital rights?" he drawled out in a husky tone, still smooching my neck, his other palm grabbing my breast through my nightie. My sensitive nipples hardened at his touch and I shivered, a delicious tingle running along my spine.

"Yes! Especially when he stinks of cheap perfume and ignored my existence for two fucking days!"

His exploring fingers curled into fists, dragging on my heated flesh as he shifted away.

Immediately, I rounded on him, eyes flashing with ire. "So you sat down in your study, decided to ignore me, then breezed in and thought I would let you sleep with me? No, as per, I don't have feelings right? Kian, you're very mad. Very very crazy. I got zero phone calls. Not even a text and when you came back, you didn't even ask about me or your child. What is your problem?! What did I do?!"

Kian scowled and hauled himself off the bed, standing. His demeanor screamed nonchalance, his eyes assessing me through a 'I don't give a fuck about you' look. "None of your business. If we aren't fucking, go back to sleep."

Fucking. Not making love.

Hurt, I stayed quiet, watching him relieve himself of his shirt, slacks and boxers. His hard cock angled to his abs, flashing at me as he padded towards the bathroom. The closing of the door hid him from my sight.

Lying down, I turned to the right, bereft and an ache weighing down on me. His previous note on the nightstand glared at me, an echo of woe resounding in my empty soul. 

Hey, I'm going to meet Zaviero. Don't call, I'll be very busy and will NOT pick your calls.

Kian.

He hadn't even written your love at the end as he usually did. Like a chisel was scraping at my insides, I inhaled deeply, tiny, sharp flakes of pain coursing through my veins.

Unable to sleep, I cradled my belly, staring at nothing. Recalling the wonderful weeks he'd treated me like his queen. The one he adored. He would give me whatever I asked of, regardless of it being a stupid request or not. How he would whisper sweet nothings to me and our baby, murmuring love words in different languages. Those days were all gone and I lived with a hostile stranger now. It was disturbing, his abrupt change.

The sound of Kian's wardrobe banging as he searched for his pajama shorts reached me. So did the rustle of him wearing it fill the room. Just as the sound started, it receded, tranquility descending in the air. He'd left for God knows where.

Tossing and turning, I rolled on the bed, my agitated mind, a maze of wonder. Perhaps he was tired of me? The feminine scent on his shirt, was he cheating on me? Did he not like me anymore? He hadn't even said the love word yet, so what was my guarantee he actually loved me the way I loved him? Another thorn dug into my chest, piercing, hot tears scalding the back of my eyes.

As long as my heart beats, I will never hurt you again. This, I swear to you.

"You lied, Kian. You lied to me, you bastard," I muttered, finally setting the tears free. My shoulders trembled with violent sobs, the pillow beneath my head, a wet mess.

The door to the bedroom creaked open. I ignored it, crying my heart out.

Footsteps veered on the floor, the bed sinking down as Kian's arms wound around my upper body, gathering me to him. I melted into his wine-scented embrace, tears soaking his bare chest as he stroked my hair bonnet gently.

Agony crossed his face that looked down on me. "God, Jadesola, please stop crying. Please. I can't do it anymore. I can't lose you as well. I drank the wine to gather some liquid courage but once I saw you crying, I just can't–"

Drunk, he broke off, gravelly tone thickened with emotions.

Raising my head, I pinned him to a teary look, croaking out, "You just can't what?"

He ignored my question, pushing me down on the bed, "Let me love you one last time, Jade. Please."

One last time?

But I nodded, helping him out of his clothes and mine, hormones on rampage. At this point, all the noises that screamed in my head to fire questions at him were drowned, my heart and body, wanting his touch. Needing his hands on me.

Kian's drunken gaze flitted over the slight swell of my belly, lust burning in his eyes. I was ten weeks pregnant and it showed in my body so I knew he was looking at my big breasts, aroused nipples sticking out, an additional mass of fat lining my thighs and ass.

If not for his intense stare that screamed of hunger, my pussy already throbbing at that blazing perusal, I would have felt weird about the changes in my body.

"You are so beautiful, Jade. Fucking exquisite." With a helpless groan, he lowered his lips on mine, kissing me. My tears mingled with the taste of his tongue loving my mouth, sweet and tender. As he kissed me, his palms cupped my breasts, rolling, tweaking my nipples between his thumb and forefingers.

"Kian," I moaned into his mouth, arching my back and raking my nails across his warm, gorgeous skin.

His soft lips coursed a path down the nape of my neck, heat emanating wherever his arousing touch met. Feverish cries spilled out of my open lips when his tongue lapped at my nipples, suckling them. Licking and lavishing on them the attention they deserved.

"Oh my God." I clutched at his hair tightly, rubbing my lower body against him. Moisture dripped down my slick thighs, a pleasurable sensation flooding my entire body.

Spreading my thighs apart, Kian's fingers dug into my waist as he thrust inside me slowly. We both groaned loudly when he was fully seated to the hilt, his cock stretching my pussy walls out in a sensual way.

Then he began making love to me, caressing every single inch of my quivering body, marking me with his hands. Tongue. And a hardened cock. His eyes captured mine, those azure orbs glowing with need. With love as he surged into my wet pussy with deep, penetrative thrusts that made my soul ignite and combust.

Again and again, he pumped into me, hitting that spot in me that created a blissful warmth inside me. Ecstasy spread through me in waves, my yells renting the air. I was coming, thrust off a high cliff, encased in his warm, muscled arms.

"I love you!" Kian roared in release and slumped on me, thick cum flooding my slick cunt that clenched on his cock.

All my previous, emotional pain faded and my eyes widened, heart soaring in happiness. He loved me?

Pulling out, he rolled away, gripping me tightly in his sweaty arms and pressed a swift kiss on my clammy forehead. "I love you when I shouldn't. When it is not meant to be, Jade. It is forbidden and I have to divorce you soon. . . The pictures in my study say so. . ."

His voice trailed off, his fingers slackening on mine as light snores invaded the air. My husband was asleep.

Forbidden? Divorce? Pictures in the study? What the fuck did he mean?

Blood rushed in my ears, panic and terror pounding hard at my head as I slipped out beneath him carefully, averse to waking him up. Silent, I slid into my robe, disregarding the cum that slithered down my legs and went inside his study.

Loads of brown envelopes occupied his desk, files spilling from his open briefcase. Rummaging around, I scoured through the documents, horror filling me with every second my eyes pored over the word and images.

His birthday. His mother. My estranged father.

"No, no, no! Please, no." Staggering, I fell on my knees, voice strangled, a shaky chorus of No's.

Shaking my head, unable to take it anymore, I weeped, sharp nails digging into the flesh of my palms. Clarity washed over me as I bawled my eyes out, sorrow and misery enveloping me in a deary bubble. There was no doubting his actions now. I understood every single thing he stood for. 

Wiping my face with the back of my right palm, I stood, a heavy decision stiffening my spine. I couldn't stay here anymore. Couldn't bear the hatred he surely had swarming in his heart. I had to leave. Right fucking now.

Quickly, I retraced my path back to our bedroom. For a long moment, I watched Kian sleep, tears streaming down my cheeks.

My moist eyes studied the slow rise and fall of his chest, his eyes closed in slumber, long, dark lashes fanning his striking cheekbones. Lips, that bloomed of pink, were slightly open, brows relaxed, a serene expression on his handsome face.

"Oh, Kian. As much as I love you, I'm sorry and I will be making this easy for you. I'll leave first before you do, that way you won't break me." But my heart was already broken as I bent and kissed his forehead. Then I wrote a letter, salty moisture staining the paper and folded it. Without a second thought, I slid my ring off and dropped both the letter and it on the nightstand.

As quiet as I could, I shrugged on a baggy t-shirt and jeans and packed only my essentials. In the morning, I would text Sarah to please get other things for me.

It was time to depart.

Except there was no way I was leaving without one more glance at him. My estranged husband.

Staring at his quiet body encased in the sheets, I bound this moment to memory, unsure when else I would ever see him sleep again. Was I doing the right thing? Leaving at night without talking to him? What of our baby? But I doused those questions, rubbing my stomach. It hurt to continue staring so I flicked my eyes away.

Grabbing his keys, I ambled out, my pace slower than a snail. Sadness was my company. I couldn't even ask my mother to confirm the truth. She was probably asleep by this time.

Everywhere was extremely quiet as I came out of my husband's gigantic enterprise. The guards greeted me but I paid them zero attention, numb.

Where had he parked his car? I searched the park. When I couldn't see his car, I gave up and decided to trek to the taxi station. It wasn't far so I walked past blocks of dark, empty buildings, sadness and the street lights, my only company.

Footsteps crunched behind me. I halted and whirled around, my braids flying with the motion. Empty air surrounded me but the feeling that I wasn't alone nagged at me.

Fear scuttled along my flesh, goosebumps appearing on my arms. What the fuck was I thinking when I left? Shit.

Paranoid, I traveled down the road, half-walking, half-running. Someone was trailing me, I was very certain. Just as I was about to round the corner that led to the station, a wintry hand grabbed my wrist tightly. My bag fell.

"Who the fuck are you? Get off me!"

The scent of him was familiar, same as my husband but I didn't think too much of it. Rather, I struggled, panic ensuring my blows and strikes were clumsy as I aimed at his face. But the stranger only laughed, a menacing sound that curdled my blood.

He captured my hands behind me, caging me in an iron-shackle grip and whispered in a dark voice that teemed with danger and evil things, "Thank you so much for making this really easy for me, dear. And with that, I welcome you to my heaven. Where Mother and Holy Mary reside."

That was the last thing I heard before darkness dragged me under.

A/N: AND THE PLOT THICKENS! Yay! I'm finally done with this chapter. I was supposed to upload ydae but I wasn't happy with what I wrote so I deleted a lot of paragraphs. Next chap comes soon.

Questions!😁

1. Why dyu think Kian gave Jade the silent treatment?

2. What did Jade see in the documents?

3. Dyu finally know who A.M is?

Question no. 1 and 2 will be answered in chap 46. As for 3, we will be meeting him in person in chap 47, then you will finally understand everything. I have given a lot of clues in all the chaps I wrote about him. Even in Kian's povs, esp in Kian's pov. BUT I BET you might not see something else coming tho!

To anyone reading this book, YOU ARE AMAZING. I can't thank you enough for still being here and making this book have around 81.1k reads. Something I thought was going to be hard to achieve but it's happening rn. THANK YOU SO MUCH. REALLY.

Love,
Nita.