Four Months Later
Rina’s routine had become predictable-home, hospital, repeat. She had no time for idle conversations or anything that didn’t offer practical solutions.
In the midst of everything, she and Mrs Graham had developed an unspoken understanding, rotating their hospital visits so they could each get some rest. Despite their initial differences, the situation had bonded them.
That evening, Rina glanced at the time on her phone. She should already be home preparing dinner. Cooking had become her form of therapy-a temporary escape from the overwhelming reality she faced. Besides, her pregnancy cravings were relentless, and hunger gnawed at her stomach every now and then.
Her phone rang again, and she already knew who it was.
“Rina, I know you’re about to start cooking up a storm,” her mother-in-law’s warm but concerned voice came through. “Why don’t you take a break? Zayn wouldn’t want you overexerting yourself.”
Rina smiled slightly, though fatigue weighed on her bones. She appreciated the concern but didn’t see anything wrong with her routine. In fact, keeping busy was the only thing keeping her sane.
“I know, but I’ll be fine. I should be home soon. If I beat traffic, I might even stop by. Didn’t you ask me to pick up a potted plant?”
Her mother-in-law chuckled. “You’re showing all the classic signs of pregnancy, yet somehow, you’ve avoided morning sickness. I don’t know how you do it.”
Rina had also kept herself hidden from public view, ensuring no one would know about her pregnancy until she was ready. She wanted her child to be a surprise, free from the prying eyes and speculation of outsiders.
She was already on her way home but pretended otherwise to reassure her mother-in-law. The woman worried too much, always believing Rina wasn’t taking care of herself. But that wasn’t true-she simply had different priorities.
When she reached home, she noticed something odd.
The front door was slightly ajar.
Frowning, she pushed it open. Did someone forget to lock up? The house was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to its usual warmth.
“Where is everyone?” she muttered, dismissing the uneasy feeling creeping up her spine.
She made her way toward the kitchen, intending to start dinner, when hushed voices caught her attention.
“I know what you said, and I understand how you feel, but listen… You’ve already used me enough. I can’t go along with this any longer. Do you plan on killing her? She’s pregnant, for God’s sake!”
Rina froze.
She instinctively lowered her footsteps and moved closer, pressing herself against the wall to listen.
“Oh, you don’t understand,” the second voice countered smoothly. “Rina is pregnant-”
Rina’s breath hitched. Who are they talking to?
“You asked me to grab a copy of the contract, which I did,” the first voice snapped, frustration evident. “That single action drove the poor man to insanity. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? His parents are struggling with the reality that their son might be stuck in that hospital bed forever! Do you even care?”
Rina’s fingers tightened around her phone.
“Listen to me, Nathan,” the first voice-a maid?-continued, her voice thick with anger. “You’re cruel. I can never treat Rina the same way you forced me to treat Zayn. How heartless can you be? All you care about is taking over his company and that of your father. You’re so greedy. I should have known you wouldn’t keep your end of the bargain. You’re nothing but a liar and a snake.”
Rina’s stomach twisted in shock and fury.
She quickly pulled out her phone and hit the record button.
Inside the kitchen, Nathan’s voice darkened. “You dare defy me?” he growled. “You think you can reject my orders without consequences? If you’re not careful, you’ll regret this.”
Rina had heard enough.
Spinning on her heel, she rushed out of the house and straight to her car.
She needed to get to the hospital before Nathan did.
Her hands trembled on the wheel. Why didn’t Zayn tell me any of this? she wondered.
Then, a bitter thought crept in.
Did I ever give him a chance to?
She reached the hospital in ten minutes, barely pausing to catch her breath before stepping into the room where Zayn’s parents sat.
“I have something to confess,” she blurted out, startling them.
Mrs Graham’s brows knitted together. “What is it, dear?”
Taking a deep breath, Rina met their concerned gazes. “Zayn and I… our marriage wasn’t real. It was a contract at first. But things changed. It became something real to me. And now-” Her voice wavered, but she pushed forward. “Now, I have proof that Nathan planned all of these from the very beginning.”
The room fell into stunned silence.
Then she played the recording.
Mr and Mrs Graham listened attentively, their expressions shifting from shock to horror and then, unfiltered rage.
When the recording ended, Chairman Graham clenched his fists. “We would never have believed Nathan to be capable of such if someone else had told us…”
“I want to sue him,” Rina declared. “For what he did to Zayn. For everything. Do I have your permission?”
His father’s jaw tightened. Then, with cold fury, he met her gaze.
“You have my permission.”
Rina wasted no time.
She reached out to people who could help-those who could dig up the evidence she needed to destroy Nathan before he could escape.
Hours later, her contact called back.
“I have good news and bad news,” the voice on the other end said.
“Start with the bad news.”
“Nathan isn’t just after the company. He’s involved with an underground drug empire.”
Rina’s stomach dropped.
“And the good news?”
“We can use that to bring him down.”
A dangerous glint entered her eyes.
“Then we proceed,” she said coldly.
“I’m suing the bastard.”