"Congratulations, ma'am," Arcel exclaimed, her smile radiant as she brushed my hair behind me while I sat facing the vanity mirror."Thank you," I replied, unable to contain my happiness."I've been wondering for weeks if you were pregnant," she confessed. "Turns out, my intuition was right.""Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, curious."I didn't want to make any assumptions that might upset you," Arcel explained sincerely.I chuckled softly, feeling a sense of innocence in my lack of experience with pregnancy. Despite my education, I had never been in a position to discern the signs of pregnancy in others. I had never engaged with expecting mothers or heard their stories about the journey of carrying a child. The absence of conversations with my biological mother about her experience of carrying me for nine months added to my unfamiliarity with pregnancy."So, am I that obvious?" I queried, my tone laced with curiosity.Arcel shook her head gently, her eyes warm with understanding. "N
As we pulled up to my adoptive parents' place, I felt a knot twist in my stomach. The big mansion stood there, casting a shadow over the grounds. Memories from my childhood came rushing back, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease.As the car stopped, I hesitated before stepping out onto the driveway. My mother got out, and I followed her lead up the stairs and through the doors. The familiar smell hit me, triggering memories of my past."Welcome back home, Miss,” my maid, who's already in her 60s said with a warm smile on her face.I nodded in response, a mix of nostalgia and discomfort swirling inside me. Despite everything, this place still had a strange sense of familiarity.“Lead her to her room,” my mom instructed, her voice cutting through the awkward silence.I followed my mom's instructions and allowed myself to be led to my old room. As I stepped inside, memories flooded back, both good and bad. The room looked exactly as I remembered it, with its faded wallpaper and old
As we entered the conference hall, the ambient chatter dwindled to hushed whispers as all eyes turned towards us. My parents led the way, their confident strides echoing in the vast space, while I followed closely behind, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension."Ladies and gentlemen," my father's voice boomed through the hall, commanding attention. "Allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Annizah Romanov."The room erupted into whispers and murmurs as the name registered with the audience. I felt a wave of unease wash over me as I realized the implications of being associated with the powerful Romanov family. People's expressions ranged from awe to fear, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort at the attention.As the conference progressed, I quickly realized that my newfound status as the wife of Vincenzo Romanov was being exploited by those around me. Men approached me with false smiles and flattering words, their eyes glinting with greed as they sought to gain
The silence enveloped us like a heavy blanket as we sat in Vincenzo's sleek black car, the hum of the engine providing the only sound in the dimly lit interior. I stole a glance at him, noting the tension in his shoulders and the furrow in his brow. His normally immaculate appearance was slightly disheveled, a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor."Are you okay?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper. His cold blue eyes flickered towards me briefly before returning to the road ahead, his expression unreadable.We stopped at a red light, the silence stretching between us like an unbreakable barrier. I fidgeted nervously in my seat, feeling the weight of his gaze upon me."Why did you allow them to mistreat you like that?" he finally spoke, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "You're no longer their child, Annizah. You're my wife, a Romanov, and you deserve respect."His words struck me like a blow to the chest, and tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm sor
I woke up to the dull ache throbbing on my cheek, a harsh reminder of the argument with my mother the previous day. The sheets beside me were empty, and a pang of loneliness washed over me as I realized Vincenzo was nowhere to be seen.Dragging myself out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom, the warm water from the shower providing some relief to my tense muscles. As I stood under the steady stream, my mind drifted back to the conversation I had with Vincenzo the night before. Despite the tension, there had been moments of tenderness that still lingered in my heart.Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and made my way downstairs to the kitchen, where Arcel was already bustling about preparing breakfast. The smell of coffee and eggs filled the air, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of hunger."Morning, ma'am," Arcel greeted me with a warm smile as she set a plate of food in front of me. "How did you sleep?"I nodded in response, offering her a small smile as I tu
As I paced back and forth in our bedroom, the weight of the situation bore down on me like a heavy burden. My heart ached with the realization that Vincenzo had acted without considering my feelings or opinions, leaving me feeling powerless and unheard.I sank onto the edge of the bed, my mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. How could he have overlooked the respect and admiration I held for my adoptive parents, despite the pain they had caused me in the past? Didn't he understand that their livelihood was intertwined with my own history and identity?A wave of frustration washed over me as I grappled with the sense of betrayal that gnawed at my insides. Tears welled in my eyes as I struggled to make sense of it all. Did my opinion truly hold no weight in his eyes? desires?I clenched my fists in frustration, the turmoil of conflicting emotions threatening to consume me. Was this the beginning of the end for us?"Bellezza," I heard his voice outside the door. He entered the room
After the appointment, we went to see our first child, Luna, eager to share the news with her. Our Shih Tzu greeted us with excited barks and wagging tail, her playful energy contagious.In the backyard, we lost track of time, engrossed in playing with Luna, who gleefully chased after her favorite toy. Laughter filled the air as we watched her bound around, her tail wagging in pure delight. In that moment, the weight of our worries and uncertainties seemed to vanish, replaced by a sense of genuine happiness and contentment that the news had brought us.As Luna pattered over, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, I scooped her into my arms and settled onto the grass, her warm fur against my skin comforting me. With a soft smile, I began to share the news with her, knowing that even if she couldn't understand my words, her presence offered a comforting presence."Luna," I murmured, scratching behind her ears as she nestled against me, "guess what? You're going to have a little brother or s
Things have been going well for Vincenzo and I for the next few weeks. It's so refreshing to be completely relaxed around him, not worrying about anything because I know he's always there with me.Pregnancy really did me a thing. I couldn't even get a wink of sleep because I would always feel nauseous, or hungry. Sometimes, I get so emotional, and it's a rollercoaster of experience for me as a first time mother, who ironically didn't have a mother of her own.I am just so glad Vincenzo is always there to support me through it all. He's been incredibly understanding and patient, taking care of me in ways I never thought possible. From bringing me my favorite snacks at odd hours to holding me close when the emotions overwhelm me, he's been my rock through it all.Despite the challenges of pregnancy, there's a sense of excitement and anticipation that fills the air whenever I think about the little one growing inside me. The thought of becoming a mother is both thrilling and terrifying,