You had been married to Lawrence Ronaldo for a few months, but the tension between you two never fully disappeared. He still carried the shadow of his ex-girlfriend, Jessica, in his heart.

It was his niece’s birthday, and the party was in full swing at the Ronaldo mansion. You stood across the room, observing quietly as Jessica, invited by Lawrence’s sister, moved gracefully toward the grand piano in the center of the hall. She began playing a soft melody, clearly aimed at calming Lawrence, who looked stressed and restless.

You felt your chest tighten as you watched his eyes soften while he focused on Jessica. Jealousy and heartache churned in you, but you didn’t say anything, only watched in silence.

For the next three months, you secretly saved your money. You bought a beautiful piano and had it delivered to Lawrence’s mansion. When the delivery arrived, Lawrence was still at the office. You ran your fingers over the polished surface, smiling to yourself. You hoped he would like it.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. You opened the door to find Jessica standing there, smiling sweetly.

“Lawrence asked me to wait for him here,” she said, stepping past you without an invitation.

You swallowed the lump in your throat and smiled politely. “Of course. Please, come in. Can I get you some coffee?”

She settled onto the couch as if she owned the place. “Yes, thank you.”

You brought her the coffee on a small tray, placing it carefully on the table before her. As you straightened up, her gaze locked onto the piano across the room. Her expression shifted instantly, her eyes narrowing.

Jessica set her coffee down and stood slowly. She walked toward the piano, circling it like a predator. Then, without warning, she grabbed the cup from the table and threw the hot liquid directly at you. The burning pain seared your hand, and you cried out, stumbling back. Before you could react, she picked up a decorative vase and brought it down on the piano keys, again and again, splintering the wood and snapping the strings.

“No!” you screamed, rushing forward. “Stop!”

You clenched your fists, rage burning inside you. Without thinking, you slapped her across the face.

At that exact moment, Lawrence returned from the office. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the scene. Jessica collapsed onto the floor, clutching her stomach, feigning a faint.

“Jessica!” Lawrence shouted, rushing forward. He grabbed your arm and shoved you back, slapping your face hard. “How dare you hit Jessica in the stomach? What if she loses the baby? She's pregnant with my child!”

Your hand flew to your burning cheek, tears springing to your eyes. “Lawrence, please, she threw coffee at me, she destroyed the piano—”

“Lock her in the basement room!” he ordered the guards who had followed him inside, not even listening to your words.

Two guards grabbed your arms. You looked at him, at the woman on the floor he was now kneeling beside so tenderly, and opened your mouth to tell him. To tell him that you were also carrying his child, that you had taken a test just yesterday. But the words caught in your throat as they dragged you away, and the door to the basement slammed shut, leaving you in darkness with only the pain in your hand and the secret in your belly for company.