Semua Bab Married To My Best Friend's Husband[Plead To God]: Bab 11 - Bab 20

[ALESSIA'S POV]Jeffrey drives too fast on the way home.His knuckles are white on the steering wheel."She can't have children," I say, mostly to myself. "That's why she wants mine.""It doesn't change anything.""Doesn't it? She lied about being pregnant to Edward's father. She's planning to pretend she gave birth. What else is she lying about?""I don't know. But we can't trust anything Edward says.""What if he's telling the truth?"Jeffrey glances at me. "Since when do you defend him?""I'm not defending him. I'm just—" I stop. "What if Sandra is planning something worse? What if she's not just taking the baby? What if she's trying to—""To what?""I don't know. But Edward looked scared. Really scared.""He's manipulating you.""Maybe. Or maybe he's trying to help."Jeffrey pulls into our driveway and turns off the engine."Do you still have feelings for him?"The question comes out of nowhere."What? No.""You brought me to that meeting, but you're defending him now.""I'm not d

[MRS. SEAMAN'S POV] Something is wrong with Sandra. I've known it for weeks now, but I couldn't put my finger on it. She claims she's two months pregnant. Shows up to family dinners with her hand on her stomach. Talks about baby names and nursery colors. But she doesn't look pregnant. Not the way I looked when I carried Edward. Not the way any pregnant woman I've ever known has looked. Her face isn't fuller. Her body hasn't changed. There's no glow. No tiredness in her eyes. Just the same sharp, calculating look she always has. I watch her at breakfast this morning. She's eating sushi. Raw fish. The kind pregnant women are specifically told to avoid. "Sandra, dear," I say carefully. "Should you be eating that?" She looks up. "What?" "Sushi. I thought pregnant women weren't supposed to have raw fish." She laughs. "Oh, my doctor said a little bit is fine. As long as it's from a reputable place." "I see." But that's not what my doctor told me thirty years ago

[ALESSIA'S POV]The contractions start at 3 AM.Sharp. Fast. Too close together.I wake Jeffrey."It's time."He's up immediately. Grabbing keys. Calling the hospital. Moving on autopilot.We've practiced this and Planned everything. But nothing prepares you for the moment it actually happens.The moment you give birth to a baby you'll never keep.Labor is long.Twelve hours of pain. Of breathing. Of squeezing Jeffrey's hand until I think I might break it.Dr. Chen checks on me every hour."You're doing great, Alessia. Almost there."But I don't feel great.I feel like I'm dying.Like every part of me is being ripped apart.Finally, at 3:47 PM, she says the words."One more push."I push.And then I hear it.A cry.Small. Perfect. Alive."It's a boy," Dr. Chen says.She holds him up for just a second.I see his face.Tiny nose. Dark hair. Eyes squeezed shut.He's beautiful."Can I......" My voice breaks. "Can I hold him?"Dr. Chen looks at the door.Sandra walks in.She's been waiting

[ALESSIA'S POV] Seven Years Later The charity gala is the kind of event I used to avoid. Too many rich people, too many fake smiles and too many questions about my personal life. But the station insisted. Said it would be good for my career and for visibility. So here I am, wearing a dress I can barely afford, holding a glass of champagne I won't drink, and trying to look like I belong. Jeffrey is beside me with his hands on my lower back. Steady and Grounding. "You okay?" he asks quietly. "Yeah. Just tired." "We can leave whenever you want." "I know." Davison is at home with my mother. He's twelve now. Healthy and Strong. Everything the doctors said he might never be. The transplant saved his life but it cost me everything. I push the thought away and focus on the present, On the people around me, On anything except the hollow ache that never quite goes away. That's when I see her. Sandra. She's across the room, surrounded by people. Laughing, Glowing,.

[ALESSIA'S POV]Monday morning starts like any other.I arrive at the station at six. Coffee in hand,.Script ready my hair and makeup done.The morning show goes live at seven.I have one hour to prep.I'm reviewing the teleprompter when Claire, my producer, walks over."Morning, Alessia. Got a minute?""Sure. What's up?"She hesitates. "We hired a new anchor. She starts today.""That's great. We've been short-staffed for months. Who is it?""Sandra Seaman."The name hits me like a punch."What?" Sandra!!!!!"I know. I was surprised too. But Marcus loved her in the interview. Said she has great presence and he wants to pair her with you for the morning show.""No." The word comes out too fast. Too sharp. "Absolutely not."Claire frowns. "Alessia, I know you two have history.....""History? She took my child, Claire. She stole seven years of his life from me. And now she's working here?""I didn't know you could... I mean, I thought the adoption was.....""It wasn't an adoption. It