Chapter 1: Just a friend?

Braelyn’s pov

“Ma’am I am sorry…” My world collapsed once the doctor said those words. Did the worst happen? His expression was stern as he calmly told me my diagnosis. “After several tests, it has been confirmed that PCOS is the reason you haven’t been able to conceive and might face future challenges…”

His words faded in my ears, my eyes stung with a lone tear falling on the results. Four years of living in a childless marriage were truly my fault. My body hormones made me unable to carry a child.

I stepped out of the hospital, and the cold autumn breeze hit my face. I felt lifeless and drained, barely able to hold back my tears from falling.

No one was with me when I received the tragic news not even my husband. His line was completely dead.

I slipped into my car before my legs gave out and grabbed the steering wheel, my knuckles turned white.

Everything started to bubble up my chest. A heart lump in my throat made it hard to breathe.

“Why me?” A shaky cry left my lips, my shoulders trembling as the emotions suffocated me.

“Why?” I asked again and the tears started pouring uncontrollably. It was me all along the stares and whispers were all right. Mr Volkov’s wife was barren.

“Why, why, why!!!” I kept asking a question that had no answers.

Time ticked and I cried in the quiet car park for God knows how long until my phone rang. I ignored the first ring but the caller was persistent. Wiping off my tears, I answered the call, thinking it was important.

It was my husband , he finally remembered to return my calls.

“Raphael,” I said, trying to control my emotions. My grip tightened.

“Lynn, sorry I couldn’t make it to the doctor’s appointment, something important came up. I hope you are alright.” His voice rang through my phone.

My brows pulled together, distracted by the loud music playing in the background. Where was he?

I momentarily forgot about the test results and was more curious about where my husband was instead of accompanying me to the hospital.

“I am far from fine. You failed to keep your word, that aside, where the hell are you?”

” Sorry, I promised to make it up to you, but an important appointment came up. Called to check up on you. We will talk when I get home.” What crap was he spouting? An important appointment that seemed like a club.

“Raphael, where are you? I want to come over?” I demanded.

He sighed before answering. “Stop making a big deal out of nothing. I will be home soon, and you should rest.” He was still evading the question.

Keeping my temper in check I drew in a deep breath. “I just want to know where you are or I won’t be able to rest.” Maybe my calm tone convinced him. Raphael reluctantly answered like it wasn’t a big deal and there was no need to hide it.

“Grand Ale’s, Amelia is hosting a celebration for her new project. She wanted to invite you but you were occupied. She is like family.” He explained like it was nothing.. like he wasn’t wrong in any way.

“Try to get home safe, see you later, Lynn. I love you.”. He hung up the call before I could reply. His ’ I love you’ felt hollow.

He was out partying with his childhood best friend instead of accompanying his wife to the hospital knowing how important it was to me.

Without a second thought. My feet stepped on the accelerator and I zoomed out from the hospital to the main road.

I didn’t even know what to feel at the moment, anger, frustration or sadness. I just drove. My mind was telling me to turn back and go home to wait for him but my guts wanted to go to the party. I wanted to give Raphael a piece of my mind; I had gotten to the point that the bottle was about to crack.

In the end, my guts won and I arrived at the Grand Ale’s night club.

With the help of the waiters, I was able to find the private room Amelia booked. From outside loud music could be heard. The door was pushed open, and a dimly lit room revealed itself.

It was crowded, and there were some familiar faces, but my focus was on finding just one person. Where was he?

It seemed like a big celebration, Amelia never went low-key. This crowd made it hard to find Raphael, I wasn’t in the mood for a party and just wanted to grab my husband and leave.

The clinking sounds of a glass echoed, drawing everyone’s attention. The music sounds went down, and there she was in the middle of the room with a glass of wine and a mini-mic in her hand, Amelia.

I was far behind, blending in the dim lights, and she didn’t notice my presence. No one actually did. “Can I get your attention, everyone?” Amelia chimed, smiling sweetly.

“We know today is a special day and we are all here to celebrate, but none of this would have been possible if not for someone special in my life.” She started giving a speech, and I couldn’t care less about whatever she had to say. My head was already feeling light, and all I cared about was finding Raphael before my anger resided.

“I know you are curious, but I want to give a toast to my dear friend, whom I consider even closer than family, Raphael Volkov. I know most of you already know him but if not for his assistance and help. All those nights we pulled our heads together thinking about how to make this possible. If not, none of us will be here.” Amelia successfully grabbed my attention.

My gaze locked in her direction, and she was beckoning someone to come forward, and he did. Tall and imposing with a presence I could never mistake for anyone else. That was my husband.

Raphael took her hand and they hugged, a little too tight for ’ family.’ He turned his hand holding her waist possessively as he leaned to whisper something in her ears that made her blush.

I wasn’t seeing things, right? They were just family. His sister, he cared a bit too much about, but my heart squeezed despite the reasoning. Raphael was smiling at her, his smile perfect and infectious, like he was ’in love?’ That can’t be. Raphael was many things but not that.

But when was the last time he smiled that way at me? I can’t remember anymore. The guests gathered around them, singing praises about Amelia’s brilliance.

“They look like a beautiful couple.” Someone chimed from beside me and my fist clenched.

“I know they are almost perfect, too bad Mr Volkov is married. Why did he ever choose someone else above Amelia?” Another mentioned.

Sharp daggers went straight to my heart. Raphael didn’t need a barren wife after all. They were young and probably didn’t know that the wife they were talking about was beside them.

Amelia seemed to have said something that made Raphael laugh. His carefree laugh only made me hurt. I should not have come here, I needed to breathe before I collapsed.

My legs quickly turned, wanting to escape before I lost it and did something stupid. I was in a hurry and didn’t see a waiter coming. We bumped into each other and I fell to the ground along with all the drinks on the waiter’s tray. That’s how I became the centre of attention.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep