The Final Checkmate

I smiled slightly, pretending not to notice anything amiss.

Later, Yvonne made herself comfortable beside me, acting like she was in her home. It was a far cry from the timid scholarship student she had once been.

"Goodness, Candice, you look terrible!" she exclaimed dramatically, reaching for my arm, but I shifted away just in time to avoid her touch.

"Mr. Yeager, just look at how much Candice has sacrificed for you," she continued with mock concern. "Her complexion is so sickly, and her figure is completely gone—she's hardly the glamorous socialite she used to be."

Yvonne scooted away from me with obvious distaste, making eyes at Zayn when she thought I was not looking, her words dripping with contempt.

Before I could respond, Zayn frowned and snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about? Candice is still as beautiful as always!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Candice," Yvonne apologized with fake remorse. "I speak without thinking sometimes. You won't hold it against me, will you?"

Then, she added, "Though, honestly, I'll never want to carry a baby myself. Getting pregnant will make me so ugly that my husband may leave me."

I coldly picked up my phone and dialed security. "Hello? Someone has trespassed into our home. Please remove them immediately."

"Candice, I was just joking," Yvonne protested, clearly annoyed. "Why are you so sensitive?"

"Alright, alright! You've delivered the documents, and Candice has seen them. You should go now," Zayn said, pulling Yvonne toward the door while turning to me. "Honey, Yvonne's young—don't take her too seriously."

Once outside, Yvonne immediately threw herself into Zayn's arms. She whined, "Even though I don't have to suffer through pregnancy, it makes me sick thinking about my baby growing inside her, receiving all your attention. And the child will have to call her Mom!"

Zayn held her close, comforting her. "Be patient. We signed a prenup. If she discovered my infidelity, I'd lose everything.

"But our son will be different. He'll be the Summers family's sole heir from the moment he's born. Everything that belongs to the Summers family will be his!"

Then, his voice turned ice-cold. "As for Candice... Well, she'll be nothing but a discarded pawn when the time comes."

I let out a bitter laugh. Did Zayn and Yvonne really think I was that stupid?

I turned the video doorbell off, not wanting to see more of the despicable couple. After that, I returned to my bedroom and began refining my plan.

Due to my poor constitution, getting pregnant had been difficult, and my morning sickness was severe. Zayn had started working from home to demonstrate his devotion, only leaving for essential business dinners and staying on call 24/7 otherwise.

Yet, his attentiveness did not move me. In fact, I found his behavior hypocritical and nauseating. As his secretary, Yvonne frequently visited to deliver documents, and they would steal intimate moments whenever they thought I was not looking.

Believing I was oblivious, they grew bold enough to flirt right under my nose under the pretense of discussing work. Their behavior disgusted me, and I certainly did not want to witness their displays.

"I'm craving that artisanal bakery's cream puffs from downtown," I would say.

"Oh, and that famous steak from the bistro on Florue Avenue.

"Also, the juice from uptown and those sourdough donuts from the west side."

...

Whenever I mentioned my cravings, Yvonne had to grudgingly drive across town to fetch them, often getting stuck in traffic for hours. When she finally returned with the food, I would throw it straight into the trash in front of her.

"It's cold now. Are you trying to harm my baby?" I would snap. Sometimes, I would say, "I've lost my appetite."