Adelynn’s POV…

"Congratulations, Adel," a group of ladies cheered.

“Thank you so much.” I grinned, expressing my happiness. I had successfully finished an important project, and now I was being promoted. This achievement wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of my beautiful team members.

I stretched my arms widely and gathered them into a group hug. "This victory is for us," I murmured with delight.

“Yes, but it is also true that you worked hard for it,” One of my team members said. “Without your guidance and supervision, we wouldn’t have achieved the success. You deserve this promotion, Adel.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at them with gratitude.

For the past year, we had been working relentlessly on this project, often returning home late. Today was different. I decided to leave work early. My boyfriend, Richard's handsome face flashed in the back of my mind, and my heart started racing. He had been complaining about not getting enough time with me. Tonight, I planned to erase all his complaints.

I couldn't wait to see him. I imagined his handsome face, his warm embrace, and the way he made me feel alive whenever we were together. My heart raced with excitement as I thought of the passionate night ahead.

All I wanted was to rush home, throw myself into his arms, and let him shower me with love and affection. I craved the warmth of his body, the taste of his lips, and the security of his embrace.

"Hey, Adelynn. Let’s go to the bar and celebrate our victory," another teammate suggested, breaking my reverie.

I smiled at her apologetically. "I’d love to, but I am sorry. Another time. I promise. Tonight, I want to celebrate with my boyfriend."

“Oh…” Everyone said in unison, their eyes shining with mischief.

"Stop it," I laughed. "Richard has been complaining about me coming home late always. I want to surprise him."

“We get it. Go and have fun.”

I waved goodbye to them and left the office, my mind buzzing with ideas on how to please Richard. Tonight, I would make sure to give Richard all the attention he desired. I would lavish him with love and affection, and make up for all the time I had been absent.

On the way home, I bought a bottle of champagne and drove swiftly, eager to share the news of my achievement with him.

When I arrived home, I quickly punched in my birthdate for the password of the door. As soon as I entered the house, I heard loud moans and groans coming from my bedroom. Shocked, I froze, my mind racing with questions. I could clearly discern what was happening inside, but I refused to accept the fact that Richard had brought another woman here behind my back.

‘He can’t cheat on me,’ I murmured to myself, attempting to keep my composure. Yet, I couldn't shake off the dreadful feelings creeping into my heart. With measured steps, I approached the bedroom, my fingers tightly clutching the bottle of champagne.

As I approached the door, the sounds grew louder, and I could feel my anger building up inside me. How could he do this to me? Didn't he care about our relationship anymore?

The sound of their laughter and conversation reached my ears. The woman’s voice sounded strangely familiar, and my stomach knotted as I recognized it.

It was Jennifer, my rival at the workplace.

‘What is she doing here?’ I asked myself, stunned.

“That bitch always defeats me,” Jennifer scoffed. “She thinks she is smarter than me. She must be celebrating her victory. Humph… But she doesn’t know I am sleeping with her boyfriend in her house, on her bed. Hahaha…” Her loud laughter echoed inside the room once again, slashing my heart.

I froze in my tracks, my trembling fingers pressed against my lips. I couldn't believe such shameful things had been happening right under my nose. To compound my agony, Richard joined in the laughter and said, “You are a slut, Jennifer. You know how to please me. Adel can’t give me such satisfaction, which I get only with you. I enjoy fucking you so much.”

Their laughter and groans indicated that they were still engaged in their intimate activities.

“Yes, Richard, right there… Uh,” Jennifer moaned. “Faster…”

“Yes, babe…”

I pressed my ears as I leaned on the wall to support myself. My whole body was shaking. The pain of betrayal was unbearable. It was tearing me apart. ‘Why, Richard? Why are you doing this to me?’ I couldn’t understand. I loved him so much and I always tried to keep him happy. But he had been cheating on me! I couldn’t take it.

“When are you going to tell her about us?” Jennifer’s voice hit my ears once again.

I stifled a sob and strained to listen to their conversation.

“As soon as my gamma successor ceremony is over,” replied Richard. “Whether I like her or not, the fact is that she is my mate. I can’t afford to break up with her before the ceremony. This may weaken me.”

‘Gamma! Successor Ceremony! Mate! What is he talking about?’ I wondered in astonishment.

I thought he was high on alcohol or something and that was why he was blabbering nonsense. Wiping away my tears, I steeled myself, preparing to confront them. However, my movements paused again when I heard something shocking.

“What if she gets pregnant?” Jennifer asked. “You are still fucking her, aren’t you?”

“Don’t worry, babe,” Richard answered. “She won’t be able to conceive even if I fuck her daily. I have been giving her pregnancy-preventing medications along with vitamin tablets for the past four years.”

Those words were like a bomb that exploded in my head. The ground beneath me seemed to crumble as I absorbed the weight of his words. So, that was why I couldn't get pregnant! My mind raced back to all the times we had sex without protection.

Fresh tears fell from my eyes. I couldn’t fathom how the man I had loved for all those years could be so cruel. How could I have been so blind not to see through his deception? How did I let him manipulate and deceive me for all those years?

Anger surged into me, my blood boiling inside my veins. I stormed into the bedroom, startling them.

"You shameless people! You, Jennifer, you're nothing but a fucking cunt, feeling proud of stealing someone else’s boyfriend! And you, Richard, you are a fucking cheater. I'm breaking up with you right here," I barked. "I deserve better than a cheating partner."

I threw the engagement ring at them and stormed out of the house. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I ruthlessly wiped them away.

Richard’s hurtful words still echoed in my ears. The realization that I might never be able to get pregnant pierced my heart. I needed confirmation. Determined, I got into my car and drove straight to the hospital.

=============

It had been two hours since I had given the test to the hospital, and I had been waiting for the result impatiently. Finally, the doctor called me.

My legs wobbled as I entered the cabin. When I saw the lady doctor’s solemn face, my heart clenched.

“Is everything all right to me, doctor?” I asked, my hands trembling in apprehension.

“The report is not favorable,” the doctor said solemnly. “You will have difficulties in conceiving.”