C9 Laila pov

As I sat on the couch and thought about my feelings for Elijah, I couldn’t help but think about my own goals. Growing up I’d always wanted to travel and see the world through my lens but ended up not seeing much of it. The little I saw was through other people’s.

I thought it was still achievable if the annulment worked but this baby would change everything. Don’t get me wrong, I would love this baby more than my own life even though it wasn’t planned for. I wanted to be the best parent to this little one and no aspirations or ambitions could ever change that.

Even before I found out about this pregnancy, my plans and goals had shifted upon meeting Elijah at the bar.

Now my only goal was to make sure this child came into a loving home, even if it’s just us two. I didn’t want any child of mine growing up around someone as toxic and crazy as Anton or in the same environment as him.

He’s the father, no doubt about that but he’s not capable of loving anybody other than himself.

At a point, I’d tried to convince myself that this baby might change him but at the same time I didn’t want to stick around and find out how wrong I could be.

I thought about work and Elijah. I hadn’t gone in for work or spoken to anyone except Tara. It didn’t matter what was happening between Anton and me but he never stopped me from going to Taras or she coming to ours. There were no plans in place for me going back to work. I always liked the idea of entrepreneurship and wanted to start my own business. It was necessary since there might be an extra human to cater for and alone.

I needed to find a way to make things work and I needed to do it fast.

Thank God Anton wasn’t home so I had the whole house to myself. I thought of Elijah and what he might be thinking but more importantly how he would look at me if he found out about my secret. It was enough reason to worry but there were no right words I could use to explain myself to him.

How do you tell a man like that, that you got knocked up by your unbearable husband? The same husband that abuses you physically and emotionally and you claim to hate. Well, it didn’t matter now. He wasn’t in the picture when I started making plans on leaving so with or without him, I’ll find a way to make things work.

I sat there, eyes glued to my laptop and journal, ready to venture into the entrepreneurial world. This and Elijah were one secret I couldn’t even tell Tara. She’d be delighted for me of course but what if things didn’t work out? I thought it better to be kept from everyone around me until there was at least progress on the goals.

I wrote down every feasible business that was profitable to venture into. Growing up my mom always took me to these workshops where we learned to make so many things on our own. Most of the household things we used at home were mostly made by my mom and me. Things like candles, soap, body wash, and even some of the makeup stuff she used. And then it finally hit me. What if I started my own makeup line? I could take courses online and practice when no one’s home. One of the crucial traits I inherited from my parents was a keen eye.

Being a fast learner is very advantageous right now.

“What name would be suitable for my brand?” I thought while scrolling on my laptop and looking for the materials and videos to learn from. Another problem was how to hide it from Anton but I’ll find a way.

My goals scared me. Would I be able to achieve this in this space of time I’m giving myself? What happens when it doesn’t work out? It would’ve been nice if my wicked uncles and aunts didn’t steal away everything my parents labored for but that was another fight for another day.

I slept off on the couch but was awakened by loud moans from the living room.

“What the fuck!?”, I said, sluggishly getting up from the bed.

Anton wasn’t supposed to be in town right now. I’d also lied about working late so no one was meant to be home.

How could he bring his whore back to the house, again!

Fucking bastard!

I furious and determined to find out who she was this time, ran out of the room and down the stairs but before I could get to them, the woman had run outside with her things. Her back looked familiar but that was all I saw because the man who suddenly stood butt naked in front of me traumatized my every being.

It wasn’t Anton! But I could swear the person that just ran out of the house was the same person I’d seen in bed with him.

She was on top of Anton when I walked in. I could remember her back and it was the same with this person that I just saw.

I had meant to chase after her, but my legs couldn’t move as the man ran in front of me, hands wide and dick dangling helplessly between his legs.

“What the fuck!”, I yelled out and ran back upstairs.