Chapter 1
I stood outside the beauty salon, clutching the lab report in my hand.
It clearly read: [six weeks pregnant.]
I pushed open the glass door, and the familiar scent of lavender hit me as soon as I walked in. Sienna Bradley was doing a facial for a customer, and when she saw me come in, her face lit up with surprise and delight.
"Aimee, what brings you here?" she asked.
I held up the lab report. "Sienna, I'm pregnant."
She almost dropped the bottle of essential oil she was holding in shock. "Seriously? That's amazing! Does Giovani know yet?"
"Not yet. I want to surprise him," I replied.
Sienna's gaze flickered with something for a split second, but she quickly put on a smile. "You should hurry home and tell him. Guys are always wishing for a son."
I nodded, about to head out, when my phone suddenly rang.
It was Giovani Rush, my husband.
"Aimee, there's a company dinner tonight, so I won't be home for dinner," he said.
"Alright, just go easy on the drinks," I replied.
After I hung up, Sienna leaned over and said, "Another business dinner again? Giovani's been super busy with work lately."
"Yeah, he's been burning the midnight oil for that new project," I replied.
I totally missed the hint of smugness flickering in Sienna's eyes.
When I got home, I started making dinner. Even though Giovani wasn't coming, I still found myself cooking enough for two.
At eight o'clock, I sprawled on the couch, watching TV. I could feel the tiny life inside me, filling me with a happiness so pure, I almost thought my heart might burst.
At nine, I grabbed my phone and texted Giovani: [Don't forget to come home early.]
By ten, the message was still unread.
Worry started to creep in, so I tried calling him.
"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently busy."
Busy? I murmured to myself, my brows knitting in concern.
He was probably still talking business with a client.
By eleven, I was wiped out—just couldn't keep my eyes open anymore, so I crawled into bed.
Kind of dazed, I heard the door creak open and checked my phone—it was already two in the morning.
"Giovani?" I called out, my voice groggy.
"Just go to sleep. I drank way too much," he mumbled.
His voice didn't sound like himself, and instead of the usual goodnight kiss, he just headed straight to the bathroom.
As Giovani walked by, I picked up a faint trace of perfume on him—not the brand I use, definitely not my scent.
"Giovani, why do you smell like perfume?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just some ladies from work at dinner. Probably brushed against me," he replied.
Sounded reasonable enough, so I just let it go.
The next morning, Giovani was rushing out the door, saying he had an early meeting to get to.
As I was picking up his clothes, I spotted a lipstick stain right on the collar of his shirt.
It was a soft pink, definitely not my shade.
There was a nagging voice in my head trying to warn me, but I forced myself not to jump to conclusions.
That afternoon, I headed to work at the kindergarten. As I watched all those adorable little faces, I couldn't help but gently touch my belly.
"Miss Williamson, you seem extra happy today," my coworker Alisha Campbell said.
"Do I? Maybe I'm just in a good mood," I replied.
I decided tonight I'd make Giovani his favorite sweet and sour ribs, and finally share my little secret—I'm pregnant.
After work, I swung by the grocery store for some ribs and veggies. While I was checking out, the cashier suddenly grinned and said, "Wow, your husband really knows how to treat you right!"
I stared at her, totally baffled.
"He came in yesterday with this gorgeous lady and bought a big bouquet of roses. I thought they were for you, but I guess you only showed up today," she said with a wink.
My heart sank like a stone.
"Are you sure it was my husband?" I asked.
"Definitely! Tall, slim, and super handsome. The woman with him was rocking a white dress, and she looked stunning," the cashier replied.
Wait... white dress? Sienna was obsessed with white dresses.
I walked out of the supermarket, clutching my shopping bags, my hands trembling.
Giovani was not that kind of guy... We had been married for three years, and he had always cared about me.
When I got home, I forced myself to chill out and started making dinner.
At seven o'clock sharp, Giovani walked in.
"Aimee, what's for dinner tonight?" he asked, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead.
"Sweet and sour ribs—your favorite," I replied.
"Babe, you always know how to spoil me," he said with a grin.
Watching his easy smile, I couldn't help but feel ridiculous for ever suspecting him.
Over dinner, I just couldn't hold it in any longer. "Giovani, I've got some news for you," I said, my heart pounding.
"What's up?" he asked, actually looking interested.
"I'm pregnant!" I blurted out.
Giovani froze with his knife in mid-air, his expression suddenly complicated.
"Really?" he said, his voice a bit weird.
"Yeah, I just found out today," I answered.
He went silent for a few seconds, then forced a smile. "That's... that's great."