Scarlett's POV
'When hatred sparks violence, innocent people will be hurt."
I was in the elevator, heading to Nathan's office, when I held up my phone to call him to tell him the big news. I was so bubbling with excitement that I didn't know when the idea struck my mind. It came as a surprise because the normal me wouldn't bother lifting a phone to call someone I would be seeing in a week, let alone someone I was already heading up to see. It was indeed a big mistake to think about such a thing, especially when it involves a crucial announcement of pregnancy. For a woman who is pregnant for the first time by her fiancé—not even her husband—to announce it on their mobile phone is really awkward. And even more weird when I'm on my way to his office.
'Scarlett?" Nathan called out to me just as the elevator was about to close. I didn't realize I had reached his office.
'Hey, hold on. Don't take me back down. Open now, knucklehead!" I fought with the elevator door before finally throwing myself into the office, smashing my knees to the floor, and sending my phone sliding across the tiles.
'Ouch!" I exclaimed. Nathan jerked up from his seat.
'It's nothing. I'm very much fine," I said even before Nathan could ask if I was okay as I scrambled up to my feet. I picked up my partially damaged phone and limped to his desk.
'Are you alright?" he asked. I nodded. 'Come on, have a seat. Why didn't you come out when the elevator opened? Weren't you planning on coming here?" he queried as I settled before him. Why is he sounding faintly? Or is my fall affecting my hearing?
'I didn't realize I had reached your office!" I panted, straining my ears to hear him clearly.
'How would you know when you were dancing to some random music?" he said.
'Music?" I asked, looking confused, before realizing I had plucked in my two earbuds. 'Oh," I quickly took them out of my ears. Wow, now I can hear him clearly.
'What should I get you?" he asked.
'Nothing. I want to tell you something," I said, smiling like I just won an award.
He sighed. 'I also have something to tell you."
'Really? Is that supposed to be a coincidence? Or is our bond becoming stronger?" I queried and laughed, but he didn't laugh with me, which made me wonder. 'Is anything the matter? Are you fine?" I asked, trepidation settling in.
'Yeah, I'm fine. Go on, what do you want to tell me?" He queried, rubbing his eyes.
'Didn't get enough sleep as usual, right? Anyway, you go first. What do you want to say?" I urged.
'No, you go first."
'You know I can continue doing this with you till sunset and sunrise, right? Just tell me. I can always tell you mine after," I insisted.
He sighed again, which made me realize that something was indeed wrong, and my stomach churned.
'This is really hard to do, Scarlett. I know it's going to be hard accepting it, but you have to understand where I'm coming from, okay?" he said.
My heart leaped to heaven before returning to my chest. I swallowed hard, but I couldn't control the anxiety that took control of me.
'I always know where you are coming from, Nathan," I said with a smile, trying to hide my fear.
'I didn't wish to do this, but I have no choice. You and I know I love you so much, right?" He placed his hand on mine on the desk. 'I will never do anything to hurt you, but you have to understand my point, okay?"
'Don't worry, I will always understand," I cheered him on.
'I'm getting married," he said, spilling the biggest news I have ever heard since I was born.
'Really? We are getting married!" I exclaimed, jumping up to my feet. 'How come you never told me before now? It's not even been up to a week since you proposed to me, and we are already getting married. Oh my God! I can't wait to tell my mother that I wasn't that bad at all. I'm getting married to the love of my life. Woohoo!" I jabbered, excitedly spinning.
I can't believe God is finally bringing back hope in my life. Thank you so much, Lord. I will keep worshiping you.
'I wish it was as you said it. We are not getting married, Scarlett. I am getting married to another woman," he rephrased.
My heart paused for over a minute, and the smile slowly faded from my countenance as I spun to face him. I stood numb, his words rumbling in my head.
'I'm so sorry," he apologized.
I began laughing hysterically. I couldn't stop myself from laughing with tears running down my face.
'You have to calm down, please. You promised to understand."
'You are not a good joke, Nathan; I have always told you this. Don't even dream of becoming a comedian," I laughed, holding my tummy.
'I'm serious," he declared.
I stopped laughing abruptly. 'Serious?!" I snapped, swatting his system off the desk. 'How can you tell me you are serious?" I groaned and flung the chair I sat on earlier against the wall.
'You have to calm down, Scarlett, please," he begged, moving close to me.
'Not a step closer, Nathan! I might do what I will live to regret. Just tell me it was a prank or explain to me in full what I did wrong to you." I demanded, seething, and crying at the same time.
'It's not my decision, and you know it. I can't refuse my mother, Scarlett. I'm bound by promise. She doesn't want a gold digger as a daughter-in-law. She…"
'Gold digger?" I cut him off. 'What do you mean by a gold digger? Bloody hell, tell me what that means!" I demanded.
'She wants a daughter-in-law from a wealthy and influential home. She doesn't want someone…" he tried to explain.
'Enough!" I yelled, smashing my fist against the desk.
It felt like I dislocated my arm from my shoulder, but the pain wasn't even a quarter of the excruciating one in my heart.
'Please don't hurt yourself," he groaned in frustration.
I know he didn't decide to break up with me on his own, but why does he have to let his mother's choice and his promise to his late father come between us? Why couldn't he stand for our relationship? Why would he conform to hurting me because of our social differences?
'Nathan, just tell me it's a prank. Just tell me it's a nightmare, and I need to wake up right now. Tell me something!" I sobbed, dropping to my knees.
When you only have a single wall to lean on and it suddenly collapses, it hurts more than rotting in a real hellfire.
'Scarlett, please," he said, moving closer to me.
'Never, ever come close to me!" I snapped, jerking up to my feet.
'You claimed to love me, Nathan. You know where we started. You know where I come from. You made me fall madly in love with you, and I gave you my all. Heaven knows if I had more, I would have given it to you," I poured my heart out and sniffed. 'You know my world only revolves around you, yet you chose to abandon me in the middle of the desert. Is it because I have no one to stand in for me?"
'I'm sorry."
That was all he could say.
'You don't have to be sorry. You have to do something. You can't break up with me, Nathan. You just can't!" I cried, and I hurried out of the office, taking the stairs in place of the elevator.
In a million years, I wouldn't have imagined Nathan breaking up with me. We were everything together. We made people jealous of our relationship, and he chose to betray me. The whole thing is still a nightmare to me. I really need to wake up before I die with it. I am losing my mind.
'Argh!" I wailed as I reached outside without caring about whoever was watching me. 'I can't let you go, Nathan! Except it's April fool in August," I promised myself.
