Pregnant & Betrayed

The pregnancy test sat on my bathroom counter, two pink lines staring back at me like a secret waiting to be shared. My hands trembled as I picked it up again, just to be sure. Three tests had confirmed it, but somehow I needed to see it one more time before I could believe it.

"I'm pregnant," I whispered to my reflection, watching my lips curve into a smile that couldn't contain itself. "We're going to have a baby."

Nolan and I had been together for three years. Three years of me managing his career, supporting his dreams, believing in him when no one else would. And now, finally, we would have something that was truly ours.

I tucked the test into my purse, alongside the small gift I'd picked up for him—a vintage watch I'd found at a flea market, nothing extravagant, but perfect for someone who was "struggling" like we were. Nolan would love it.

"You can do this," I told myself, applying a final touch of lipstick. "This will be the perfect surprise."

The drive to Nolan's apartment felt longer than usual, my excitement building with each passing minute. I'd texted him earlier, asking if I could stop by with dinner. His response had been delayed but enthusiastic.

When I arrived, he wasn't home yet. I let myself in with the key he'd given me months ago, setting the takeout on his kitchen counter. His apartment was tidy but modest—exactly what you'd expect from a struggling artist trying to make it in the city.

"I'll just wait," I murmured, wandering into his bedroom to set my purse down.

Something caught my eye—a slight discoloration on his bedroom wall. I pressed against it, feeling a slight give. A hidden safe. My curiosity piqued, I searched for the combination, finding it scribbled on a scrap of paper beneath his nightstand lamp.

Inside, I found a black American Express card with the name "Nolan Hart" embossed in silver. Below it, a stack of documents—property deeds, bank statements, legal papers. My eyes widened as I scanned the contents.

"Hart Industries... major shareholder... inheritance trust..."

The door clicked open behind me.

"Avery? What are you doing here?" Nolan's voice sounded strange, tense.

I turned slowly, the black Amex card still in my hand. "Who are you?"

Before he could answer, his phone rang. He glanced at it, his expression shifting. "I need to take this."

I stepped back as he moved past me, his voice dropping to a whisper as he entered the living room. But the apartment was small, and I could hear every word.

"Yes, Bristol, I know... Three years, I've told you... Yes, she's pregnant too... No, you know I can't..."

My world tilted sideways. Bristol. Pregnant. Three years.

"How long have you known?" I asked when he returned, his face pale.

"Avery, I can explain—"

"Three years?" My voice cracked. "You've been with her for three years?"

---

Two days later, I tracked Nolan to the theater where he was rehearsing. Bristol was there too, her hand possessively on his arm as they spoke with the director.

I approached them, my heart pounding so hard I could barely breathe. "Nolan."

He turned, his eyes widening. "Avery, this isn't—"

"You lied to me." My voice was steady despite the storm inside me. "For three years."

Bristol stepped forward, her perfectly manicured hand still clutching Nolan's arm. "Darling, you need to understand your place. Nolan and I have been promised to each other since childhood."

"He told me he was poor," I said, ignoring her. "He let me support him while he..."

"While he what?" Bristol's laugh was like glass breaking. "While he enjoyed the attention? While he had fun? You really thought someone like Nolan would want someone like you?"

Something in me snapped. "I'm pregnant with his child."

The theater fell silent. Even the stagehands stopped to stare.

Bristol's face contorted with rage. "You're lying."

"Nolan?" I looked at him, searching for any sign of the man I thought I knew.

Before he could respond, Bristol lunged toward me. "You pathetic little nobody!"

She shoved me hard, but I managed to stay upright. What happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion.

Bristol grabbed a nearby lighting rig stand and pushed it with all her might. The heavy metal structure swayed, then crashed down toward me. I tried to dodge it, but my reflexes weren't fast enough.

Pain exploded through my abdomen as the metal struck me. Warm wetness spread between my legs. I looked down to see blood pooling on the floor.

"Nolan," I gasped, reaching for him as darkness edged my vision.

He stood frozen between us, his eyes darting between Bristol, who had fallen dramatically to the floor clutching her ankle, and me, blood seeping through my dress.

"Nolan," Bristol whimpered. "My ankle... it's broken..."

I collapsed to my knees, one hand pressed against my stomach, the other braced on the cold stage floor. "The baby," I whispered. "Please..."

Nolan hesitated for one terrible moment before scooping Bristol into his arms. "I'll be right back," he called over his shoulder as he carried her toward the exit.

"No!" I cried out, but he was already gone.

Ivy found me there minutes later, my assistant's face white with horror as she knelt beside me. "Oh god, Avery... I'm calling an ambulance!"

---

"The baby couldn't be saved," the doctor said gently. "I'm sorry."

I stared at the ceiling of the hospital room, unable to cry anymore. My body felt hollow, emptied of both tears and life.

Three days passed before Nolan finally appeared in my doorway, his face a mask of practiced concern.

"You need to understand," he said, not bothering with preamble. "What happened was unfortunate, but Bristol needs me."

"And I don't?" My voice sounded foreign to my own ears.

"You're stronger than she is." He sat on the edge of my bed, reaching for my hand. I pulled away. "Besides, where else would you go? Who else would want you now?"

I looked at him then—really looked at him—and saw nothing of the man I'd thought I loved.

"We're done," I said quietly.

His smile faltered. "Don't be dramatic, Avery. You have nowhere else to go."