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'{"alias":2506830}'
Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE http://instagram.com/kwpriorrealtor KWPrior Realtor https://www.facebook.com/KWPriorRealtor/ 294 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram Profile 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/kwpriorrealtor 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467677463_387757687664544_287561173414875286_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iBNUG5PqXscQ7kNvgFRlM_S&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AYTO9kKwQg9Oxd3Y4x6Xxsp&oh=00_AYBoLtHsE1JBbccQGeXd1SNrLL9f-oR3hg1pvrUPuT1SWg&oe=6746E26D PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 KWPrior Realtor 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Just Listed in The Place at Corkscrew! ๐Ÿก Just Listed! Your Dream Home Awaits at The Place at Corkscrew ๐ŸŒดโœจ Discover resort-style living with this stunning Creekview model by Pulte, featuring 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and breathtaking lake views! ๐ŸŒ…๐Ÿ’ง From the moment you step inside, youโ€™ll be captivated by the open layout, soaring 12-ft ceilings, and luxurious finishes throughout. ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Chefโ€™s Dream Kitchen: Stainless steel appliances, a spacious island, and thoughtful details like pull-out cabinet shelving make it perfect for cooking and entertaining! ๐Ÿฅ‚๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿณ ๐ŸŒž Outdoor Oasis: Enjoy Florida sunshine on the expansive screened lanai, extended patio, and fenced backyardโ€”perfect for pets, kids, and BBQ nights. ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ”ฅ ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Spacious Bedrooms: The primary suite is a private retreat with lake views, coffered ceilings, and a spa-like en-suite. Thereโ€™s room for everyone to spread out in this thoughtfully designed home! ๐Ÿ›๐Ÿ’ค ๐Ÿš— 3-Car Garage with AC: Keep your vehicles and storage organized with an insulated, air-conditioned 3-car garage featuring an epoxy-coated floor and storage galore. ๐ŸŽ‰ Unmatched Community Amenities: Embrace a true resort lifestyle with a 100-ft waterslide, 40-person hot tub, poolside dining, fitness center, tennis, pickleball, and so much more! ๐ŸŠโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿน ๐ŸŒ Perfect Location: Minutes from SWFL Airport, top-notch golf, shopping, dining, and a new Publix plaza top-notch golf, shopping, dining, and a new Publix plaza with all the essentials right down the road! ๐Ÿ›’โ›ณ ๐Ÿ“ฒ Ready to make this dream home yours? Contact us today for a private virtual tour! ๐Ÿ“ž (248) 703-4024 โœจ Kelly Olin & Amanda Bolduc โ€“ Your SW Florida Modern Luxury Realtors LEARN_MORE http://fb.me/ Kelly Olin & Amanda Bolduc, Southwest Florida Realtors https://www.facebook.com/KellyandAmandaSellSWFL/ 187 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 www.sellingswflorida.com DCO ๐Ÿก Dreaming of year round sunshine? Escape the snow! Your Dream Home Awaits at The Place at Corkscrew in Southwest Florida ๐ŸŒดโœจ Discover resort-style living with this stunning Creekview model by Pulte, featuring 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and breathtaking lake views! ๐ŸŒ…๐Ÿ’ง From the moment you step inside, youโ€™ll be captivated by the open layout, soaring 12-ft ceilings, and luxurious finishes throughout. ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Chefโ€™s Dream Kitchen: Stainless steel appliances, a spacious island, and thoughtful details like pull-out cabinet shelving make it perfect for cooking and entertaining! ๐Ÿฅ‚๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿณ ๐ŸŒž Outdoor Oasis: Enjoy Florida sunshine on the expansive screened lanai, extended patio, and fenced backyardโ€”perfect for pets, kids, and BBQ nights. ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ”ฅ ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Spacious Bedrooms: The primary suite is a private retreat with lake views, coffered ceilings, and a spa-like en-suite. Thereโ€™s room for everyone to spread out in this thoughtfully designed home! ๐Ÿ›๐Ÿ’ค ๐Ÿš— 3-Car Garage with AC: Keep your vehicles and storage organized with an insulated, air-conditioned 3-car garage featuring an epoxy-coated floor and storage galore. ๐ŸŽ‰ Unmatched Community Amenities: Embrace a true resort lifestyle with a 100-ft waterslide, 40-person hot tub, poolside dining, fitness center, tennis, pickleball, and so much more! ๐ŸŠโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿน ๐ŸŒ Perfect Location: Minutes from SWFL Airport, top-notch golf, shopping, dining, and a new Publix plaza with all the essentials right down the road! ๐Ÿ›’โ›ณ ๐Ÿ“ฒ Ready to make this dream home yours? Contact us today for a private virtual tour! ๐Ÿ“ž (248) 703-4024 โœจ Kelly Olin & Amanda Bolduc โ€“ Your SW Florida Modern Luxury Realtors http://fb.me/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467770464_1233352857897823_2926060147855726221_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=19bcHqK_c3EQ7kNvgEs2EEZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AosYKrdqClbUJ0SWwCmaLDU&oh=00_AYDrZr0Et729IH_zY0pj1dPCUwU1OIWgNEO78t21wt2s5A&oe=674710FA PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Kelly Olin & Amanda Bolduc, Southwest Florida Realtors 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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'{"alias":2506467}'
No 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 5 Reasons Why I Love TheMagic5 Custom Goggles ๐ŸŠโ€โ™€๏ธ I discovered TheMagic5 custom swim goggles years ago when the company was just getting started. Still to this day, these are my favorite goggles. And now you can get them at a really good price! Here's 5 reasons why I love these goggles: โœ… No more goggle marks ๐Ÿ’ฆ Zero leaks guaranteed โ™ป๏ธ Less waste-shopping ๐Ÿ˜Ž 100% Fit-Guarantee ๐Ÿ’ฏ Durable materials Their Black Friday Sale is live, so go to www.themagic5.com to try a custom pair of goggles at up to 50% off. SHOP_NOW https://themagic5.com/ Lexie Kelly Swim https://www.facebook.com/LexieKellySwim/ 4,560 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop Now 0 themagic5.com DCO {{product.description}} https://themagic5.com/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468062516_886617063665808_365524763298758462_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qZDYm6FzthAQ7kNvgFKnlav&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AhBsrl77m9Bob46WCifBmZg&oh=00_AYDs6hZIu8v-puX5Q_1bbB9KVF8LwkaZ4sxymBadwKpGZw&oe=67470206 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Lexie Kelly Swim 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Your Clan Aran Sweater SHOP_NOW https://www.aran.com/clan-aran-sweaters?ad_id={{ad Aran Sweater Market, Aran Islands, Ireland https://www.facebook.com/aransweatermarket/ 161,012 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop Now 0 aran.com CAROUSEL https://www.aran.com/clan-aran-sweaters?ad_id={{ad.id}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468073299_492709140451564_4621950406143423738_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9_bPVRNzB64Q7kNvgFmWR8U&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=A7b5wBKFckrj6PNGs4DflOG&oh=00_AYBlqbCZ0ZHNWPZwSsgnA57GpjCmjwF2p4C8ZGitMITO0g&oe=6746E921 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Aran Sweater Market, Aran Islands, Ireland 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Want to know more about this home? Kelly Diaz just listed this 4 Bed / 2.5 Bath home in Little Creek, DE for $339,900 LEARN_MORE https://www.homes.com/real-estate-agents/kelly-dia Delaware Top Real Estate https://www.facebook.com/100068425971173/ 502 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 homes.com IMAGE Learn more from Kelly Diaz https://www.homes.com/real-estate-agents/kelly-diaz/lb1970g/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468004447_873594458176921_1725695690707715436_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LdB3sdn09GsQ7kNvgFU8P3X&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AeFfLvFPPq-NrZdwbxiv4by&oh=00_AYBPdsQ_elM5jRIhkt_Oktm_V7vnOPGgOfLxAXzT1x2lag&oe=674708EE PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Delaware Top Real Estate 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Horseshoesbysarah - Etsy SHOP_NOW http://Www.horseshoesbysarah.etsy.com/ Horseshoes by Sarah https://www.facebook.com/61556574749008/ 1,439 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop Now 0 etsy.com CAROUSEL http://Www.horseshoesbysarah.etsy.com/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468148056_1040369427842940_6410254942367741715_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0aW8kj0mUFQQ7kNvgFfNPl8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVb2WEXPohVFFXfSfoJUtNi&oh=00_AYCz1NqB4y36_zN5L5o8BspGHdWMdJV0MKV2LHR_UNm-OQ&oe=6746F99B PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Horseshoes by Sarah 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Non-Surgical Knee Pain Solution in Waterbury, CT Tired of gritting your teeth through constant knee pain? ๐Ÿ˜ฌ Want to finally get back to a normal and pain-free life? Join many Waterbury residents who have restored their lives and mobility with this all-natural knee treatment protocol. โš• We treat knee pain at all phases, whether you suffer from mild discomfort or excruciating bone-on-boneโ€ฆ and the best part isโ€ฆ NO SURGERY OR HARMFUL DRUGS. These revolutionary treatments are now available in Waterbury, CT ๐Ÿ›‘ Stop putting up with your pain, find relief with our knee treatment protocol: โœ… Reverse years of wear and tear on your knees โœ… NO steroid shots โœ… NO addictive and harmful drugs โœ… 100% safe and NO negative side effects โœ… NO surgery Donโ€™t ignore the dangers of wildly invasive knee surgeries: โŒ Ghastly hospital bills โŒ Months or years of painful recovery โŒ Potentially serious complications and life-long side effects โŒ Even the possibility of death! โ˜ ๏ธ Is this breakthrough knee treatment protocol for you? Find out with a ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐—ฑ ๐—œ๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ž๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฒ ๐—ฃ๐—ฎ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ณ ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—บ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€๐˜‚๐—น๐˜๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—œ๐—ป๐˜€๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—ฒ ๐—ฉ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ALL for ๐—™๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ. To see if you qualify, click โ€œSign Upโ€ to fill out our Quick Questionnaire. Any information submitted is secured and will not be shared or used in spam. "๐——๐—ผ๐—ป'๐˜ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐˜ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐˜†๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ถ๐—ป๐˜€๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—ฒ ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ๐˜‚๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐˜„๐—ถ๐—น๐—น ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐˜ ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐Ÿญ๐˜€๐˜ ๐˜€๐—ผ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐˜ ๐˜‚๐˜€ ๐—ป๐—ผ๐˜„ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐˜ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐˜†๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ!" ๐Ÿ‘‡Click โ€œSign Upโ€ or Call "(475) 252-5558" Today ๐Ÿ‘‡ Serving Waterbury, and all surrounding areas. Joint Pain Treatment Center 417 Highland Ave. Suite B Waterbury, CT 06708 (475) 252-5558 SIGN_UP https://regenjointsolution.org/joint-pain-treatmen Joint Pain Treatment Center https://www.facebook.com/61551018860356/ 22 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sign Up 0 regenjointsolution.org DCO Insurance-Covered Rapid Knee Pain Relief Program โœ… https://regenjointsolution.org/joint-pain-treatment-center-knee-pa-6 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468089935_1119056709823547_5025228592229693261_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xRE8ucv5FiEQ7kNvgH8nJnI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=Af6pJnTwMlqpDOyFrJXdw4t&oh=00_AYBlJZ_Fq2L4EHN51pxI3jDSC06iMyGBFYGNoLzxZAp_KQ&oe=674702F1 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Joint Pain Treatment Center 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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'{"alias":2506475}'
Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 LEARN_MORE https://bookhip.com/CTXBWHC Personal Dev Coach https://www.facebook.com/61563037178436/ 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 dl.bookfunnel.com CAROUSEL https://bookhip.com/CTXBWHC 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467835156_1086032592929766_9075821629993806995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hFhs3UkHh4UQ7kNvgFY1QPS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AME-p_HA8BzXYCF6RbqUj4c&oh=00_AYCGNHWK3cA7aG3YRTysfrzavy7Pq5Fo_W-WYoeqa0Po6g&oe=67470401 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Personal Dev Coach 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 ๐Ÿ”žMi Mejor Amigo Me Divorciรณ Cuando Llevaba Su Bebรฉ ๐Ÿ”ž La perspectiva de Kelly ยฟEra una bendiciรณn casarse con tu mejor amigo? No estaba muy segura de lo que Pierce pensaba, pero casarme con รฉl era un sueรฑo hecho realidad para mรญ. Y ahora lo que era mรกs emocionante, รญbamos a dar la bienvenida a nuestro primer hijo. โ€”Es bueno que seas cautelosa. Podrรญas haber perdido a tu bebรฉ, seรฑorita Monroe โ€”me dijo seriamente la ginecรณloga mientras podรญa ver la conmociรณn en mis ojos. Toquรฉ mi vientre subconscientemente y todavรญa no podรญa creer que habรญa un bebรฉ allรญ. ยฟHabรญa escuchado bien? ยฟEstaba embarazada? ยกEstaba embarazada de un bebรฉ para Pierce! ยกMi mejor amigo y mi primer amor platรณnico! Al salir del hospital, no podรญa esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebรฉ. Me preguntaba cuรกl serรญa su reacciรณn. ยฟGritarรญa de felicidad? ยฟMe besarรญa y todo eso? ยกDios! No podรญa contener mi felicidad. Cubrรญ mi rostro sonrojado mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentรญ el frรญo del simple anillo en mi dedo, mi corazรณn latiendo salvajemente se calmรณ. Casi olvido que Pierce no era del tipo que estaba interesado en tener hijos, especialmente cuando nuestro matrimonio fue arreglado por su familia. Pierce era un caballero completo, tanto como amigo como esposo. Cada vez que tenรญamos relaciones sexuales, รฉl era considerado pero prudente, diciendo que no habรญa necesidad de aรฑadir grilletes adicionales cuando no estรกbamos listos. Este bebรฉ, de cierta manera, estaba fuera de plan. Mi mente se tornaba inquieta mientras me sentaba en mi coche. ยฟSerรญa esto una buena noticia para รฉl? ยฟY si Pierce todavรญa no estaba listo para el bebรฉ? โ€”Seรฑora, ยฟtodo estรก bien? ยฟNecesita llamar al jefe? โ€”preguntรณ preocupado mi conductor privado Luke al notar mi cara fruncida. Luke era confiable como una familia, pero si decidรญa compartir, aรบn querรญa que Pierce fuera el primero en conocer esta noticia. ร‰l es el padre de mi bebรฉ. โ€”No โ€”neguรฉ con la cabeza, dando a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadoraโ€”. Estรก en el vuelo. Hablarรฉ con รฉl mรกs tarde yo misma โ€”Para asรญ poder percibir su respuesta directamente de sus expresiones sinceras. Siempre fui buena en eso. Cerrรฉ los ojos recordando el primer dรญa que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa bajo la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante, รฉl era un prรญncipe. Mucho antes de que fuรฉramos mejores amigos, me enamorรฉ de รฉl a primera vista. Pero sรณlo era un amor no correspondido, lo sabรญa bien. Bajรฉ la ventana del coche para tomar un poco de aire fresco pero accidentalmente captรฉ una vista de nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Aquel sentimiento amargo llenรณ mi pecho una vez mรกs. Pierce es mi primer amor pero yo no soy el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo era sรณlo una aburrida nerd a los ojos de los demรกs, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante quarterback. Todos estaban sorprendidos de que pudiรฉramos ser amigos. Aunque surgรญa la enemistad, disfrutaba estar cerca de รฉl. Lentamente me di cuenta de que no querรญa ser sรณlo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesar mis sentimientos hacia รฉl, otra chica entrรณ en su vida. Sacudรญ la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos tristes viejos recuerdos. Agarrรฉ con fuerza el frรญo anillo de bodas en mi dedo, diciรฉndome a mรญ misma que el pasado era pasado. Pierce dijo que habรญan terminado y yo era su esposa ahora. Yo era su esposa que ahora llevaba a su bebรฉ. Sequรฉ las lรกgrimas de las esquinas de mis ojos y abrรญ la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazรณn se calmรณ al respirar el aroma de hogar. Nuestro hogar. No era tan lujoso como la villa de su familia, pero era acogedor. Pierce y yo lo decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. Sรญ, debรญ de haber estado pensando demasiado. Aquella mujer habรญa estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y mi matrimonio con Pierce habรญa sido tan hermoso como un cuento de hadas durante los รบltimos tres aรฑos. Echรฉ un vistazo al reloj en la pared. A estas alturas, Pierce deberรญa haberse bajado del aviรณn. Habรญa estado mรกs de un mes viajando por el negocio de nuestra familia. Pierce era el Presidente de ADE, la compaรฑรญa lรญder de revistas de moda en todo Asia, y yo en realidad era la Vicepresidenta de la compaรฑรญa. No รฉramos solo compaรฑeros de vida, sino tambiรฉn buenos socios en el trabajo. Realmente lo extraรฑaba. Marquรฉ su nรบmero inmediatamente. Realmente querรญa escuchar su voz ahora, saber cuรกndo llegarรญa a casa. Le prepararรญa una buena comida y รฉl me premiarรญa con un dulce beso. Y luego podrรญamos tener sexo apasionado como el que me dio la noche antes de su viaje de negocios. Ups, casi olvido que ahora estoy embarazada. Necesitaba decรญrselo primero y luego podrรญamos hacer otra cosa en su lugar. Estaba felizmente imaginando nuestro encantador reencuentro y mi corazรณn se detuvo cuando una voz de mujer sonรณ al otro lado de la lรญnea. โ€”ยฟHola? โ€”Cortรฉ la llamada cuando solo una palabra saliรณ โ€”mi telรฉfono cayรณ al suelo y mi cuerpo empezรณ a temblar incontrolablementeโ€”. ยกNo! ยกNo podรญa ser ella! ยกNo podรญa ser Lexi! Ella ya estaba fuera de nuestra vida. Debo haber escuchado mal. Corrรญ hacia el refrigerador en un intento de calmarme con la ayuda de algo de alcohol. Pero en el momento en que toquรฉ la botella de vino, me acordรฉ de las palabras del mรฉdico y de mi bebรฉ. Necesitaba ser cautelosa por el bien de mi bebรฉ. Me di la vuelta para sacar una caja de leche y me dirigรญ hacia el sofรก. No sรฉ quรฉ me hizo reconocer que era la voz de Lexi en ese momento. Digo, Lexi y yo nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era una tรญpica belleza rubia por la que los hombres enloquecerรญan. Ella era la animadora popular en la escuela secundaria mientras que Pierce era el quarterback estrella. Una mejor pareja que รฉl y una nerd como yo, ยฟverdad? No fue sorprendente que รฉl se enamorara de ella. Mi orgullo no podรญa soportar ver al hombre que amaba volver loco por otra mujer. Asรญ que una vez intentรฉ alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negรณ a desaparecer de mi vida. Cada vez que me sumergรญa en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecerรญa en mi puerta invitรกndome a salir. No podรญa decir no a su encantadora sonrisa; no podรญa decir no cuando รฉl decรญa que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, solo pude ocultar mi corazรณn roto, silenciosamente jugando el papel de su mejor amiga a su lado y viendo su rostro feliz por otra chica. Finalmente reunรญ el valor para estudiar en el extranjero cuando supe que Pierce planeaba proponerle matrimonio a Lexi. Sin embargo, nunca esperรฉ que la Abuela me llamara para suplicarme que volviera. Regresรฉ de prisa solo para ver a un Pierce sin vida. Su corazรณn fue daรฑado gravemente, por Lexi. Mi querido chico soleado no estaba por ninguna parte, y mi corazรณn sangraba. Empecรฉ a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le cedรญ a mi hombre amado a ella, ยกy cรณmo se atreviรณ a hacerle tanto daรฑo! ยกEsa bruja! Pierce no contรณ a nadie lo que pasรณ excepto que habรญa terminado con Lexi. La Abuela organizรณ nuestro matrimonio. No entendรญa por quรฉ รฉl aceptรณ hasta el dรญa que lo escuchรฉ decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi serรญa lo mismo para รฉl. Fue tan jodidamente doloroso, pero aรบn asรญ entrรฉ en este matrimonio sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi chico preciado estaba roto y yo querรญa arreglarlo, sin importar si me arruinaba en el proceso. Me quedรฉ dormida en casa sintiรฉndome tan insegura y preocupada. Me despertรฉ en medio de la noche cuando sentรญ a alguien acariciando mi mejilla. Lentamente, abrรญ los ojos y me di cuenta de que me habรญa quedado dormida en la sala. Alguien me levantรณ del sofรก. Inmediatamente reconocรญ su olor y su tacto mientras lo miraba con ojos entreabiertos. โ€”Pierce... โ€”Hmm โ€”murmurรณ mientras caminaba hacia las escalerasโ€”. ยฟPor quรฉ dormiste en el sofรก? Mirรฉ su rostro mientras me bajaba suavemente a la cama. Acariciรณ mi cabello y besรณ mi frente. Siempre fue tan tierno y por eso lo amaba tanto. Incluso cuando hacรญamos el amor, era muy considerado con mis sentimientos. Habรญamos estado separados durante mรกs de un mes, mi cuerpo lo extraรฑaba y mi corazรณn lo deseaba. โ€”ยฟDรณnde has estado? Te he estado esperando โ€”dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. โ€”Solo me encontrรฉ con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, ยฟes algo urgente? Mirando su rostro tierno, de repente no quise arruinar el momento. Asรญ que cerrรฉ los labios entreabiertos y traguรฉ la verdad de vuelta en mi estรณmago una vez mรกs. Maรฑana, tal vez maรฑana, tendrรฉ el valor de enfrentar todos los rompecabezas. Neguรฉ con la cabeza e hice pucheros, diciรฉndole que tenรญa sueรฑo. Se riรณ y con cuidado me llevรณ a la cama. El momento en que estaba a punto de dejarme despuรฉs de darme un beso de buenas noches, entrรฉ en pรกnico por alguna razรณn. Entonces rรกpidamente lo agarrรฉ y lo besรฉ con toda mi pasiรณn, tratando de desvestirlo, tratando de hacer que me tocara mรกs y mรกs profundamente. Lo extraรฑaba. Lo querรญa. Sentรญ que la รบnica forma en que podรญa estar tranquila era dejar que se introdujera en mรญ de nuevo. Para asegurarme de que todavรญa era mรญo. โ€”Espera Kels โ€”sin embargo, รฉl me detuvo sujetando mis manos locas en la camaโ€”. Creรญ que dijiste que tienes sueรฑo y necesitas descansar. โ€”Pero creo que te extraรฑo mรกs ahora โ€”Lo mirรฉ inocentemente y pude captar deseo en sus ojos, pero no sรฉ por quรฉ desapareciรณ pronto. Solรญa estar feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. Como si notara mi confusiรณn, se riรณ y me pellizcรณ la nariz juguetonamente, โ€”Solo me tomarรฉ una ducha. Huelo a alcohol. Asentรญ y lo observรฉ mientras caminaba hacia el baรฑo. Pero el sueรฑo me golpeรณ de nuevo asรญ que cerrรฉ los ojos para echar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de maรฑana cuando abrรญ los ojos de nuevo y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja de comida en la mesa de noche. โ€”ยกHola! โ€”saludรฉ y sonreรญ al darme cuenta de lo que habรญa hecho. Me habรญa preparado el desayuno. En la cama. Lo mรกs dulce. Sonriรณ y se sentรณ en la cama. โ€”Buenos dรญas. Sonreรญ mientras me sentaba en la cama. ร‰l llevรณ la bandeja y la puso junto a mรญ. Levantรฉ una ceja y ladeรฉ la cabeza mientras miraba su rostro apuesto. Sus ojos son marrones profundos. Tenรญa cejas gruesas y negras que complementaban sus hermosos ojos. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. Literalmente parece un sexy chico malo. Incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzarรญa de estar a su lado. Nadie tiene oportunidad contra este hombre. โ€”ยฟQuรฉ es esto? ยฟEs esto un soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo. ร‰l no se riรณ. Suspirรณ y suavemente me recogiรณ el cabello detrรกs de las orejas antes de sostener mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. โ€”Tengo algo que decirte. Sentรญ que mi corazรณn se aceleraba. Pensรฉ en nuestro bebรฉ en mi vientre. ร‰l tiene algo que decir. Yo tengo algo que decirle tambiรฉn. โ€”ยฟQ-Quรฉ es? โ€”preguntรฉ mientras sentรญa que mi voz temblaba. Tomรณ un profundo suspiro. โ€”Sabes que eres importante para mรญ, ยฟverdad? Asentรญ lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder. Tengo miedo de lo que estรก a punto de decir. Tengo un mal presentimiento. โ€”Fuiste mi mejor amiga antes de que nos casรกramos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoro... Escondรญ mis puรฑos apretados bajo la sรกbana. No sรฉ por quรฉ me estรก diciendo todo esto pero ya sentรญa las lรกgrimas acumulรกndose en la esquina de mis ojos. โ€”Kelly... โ€”se detuvo y cerrรณ los ojos con fuerza antes de mirarme de nuevo a los ojos. โ€”Creo que es momento de que nos divorciemos. โ€”P-Pierce... โ€”Sentรญ mi corazรณn estrujarse. Sonriรณ. โ€”Sรฉ que tรบ tampoco tienes sentimientos por mรญ. Solo te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos. Solo hiciste esto porque los amas. Ahora es momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Neguรฉ con la cabeza, โ€”ยฟD-De quรฉ estรกs hablando, Pierce? โ€”Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. ๐Ÿ‘‰Haz clic para leer mรกs sobre๐Ÿ”ฅ <Mi Mejor Amigo Me Divorciรณ Cuando Llevaba Su Bebรฉ> LEARN_MORE https://dynamic.lightreader.com/noah-ssg/wn/766754 Novabeats-0530 https://www.facebook.com/61559933356514/ 3,615 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 dynamic.lightreader.com IMAGE ยกLEER EN LรNEA! ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿ‘‰ https://dynamic.lightreader.com/noah-ssg/wn/766754101/31142467900940105+1+3+facebook?utm_source={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_adset={{adset.name}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467987116_596887776105019_9013494118614241942_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wcWdfdCOUwkQ7kNvgHDHMNf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ay6nrsRM9qR-zjM_nv9yFjQ&oh=00_AYBTAZz_DrSiKnqXRgjmnCjYxUM66Q53Y5zKvCQ3bA8kzw&oe=6746E7D9 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Novabeats-0530 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE http://instagram.com/detailandesign Detail + Design https://www.facebook.com/61556565848093/ 20 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram Profile 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/detailandesign 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467726360_763925892588664_779842598715155354_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_FPPs263-4kQ7kNvgEcLvht&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AosYKrdqClbUJ0SWwCmaLDU&oh=00_AYDqXayOweEGFQwP_vWMpNDh7_QCDmj87bnFLsXBs8wMtg&oe=6746EF37 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Detail + Design 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Para ella, casarse con su mejor amigo y quedar embarazada de su hijo fue un sueรฑo hecho realidad. Pero en ese momento feliz, la mujer que amaba su marido regresรณ... ===== ยฟLo habรญa oรญdo bien? ยฟEstoy embarazada? ยกEstoy embarazada de un bebรฉ de Pierce! ยกMi mejor amigo y mi primer amor! --Quรฉ bueno que haya sido cautelosa, pudo haber perdido a su bebรฉ, seรฑorita Monroe --me dijo el ginecรณlogo con seriedad al ver la sorpresa en mis ojos. En ese momento, me toquรฉ el vientre inconscientemente, sin poder creer que hubiera un bebรฉ acostado allรญ. Cuando salรญ del hospital, no podรญa esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebรฉ. Me preguntaba cuรกl serรญa su reacciรณn. ยฟGritarรญa de felicidad? ยฟMe b**arรญa y todo eso? ยกDios! No podรญa contener mi felicidad. Incluso tomรฉ mi cara roja entre mis manos mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentรญ el frรญo del anillo en mi dedo, mi corazรณn que latรญa salvajemente se calmรณ. Casi olvidaba que Pierce no estaba interesado en tener hijos, menos considerando que nuestro matrimonio fue arreglado por su familia. Por supuesto, Pierce era un completo caballero, como amigo y como marido. Cada vez que tenรญamos relaciones s**uales, รฉl era considerado y cauteloso, y decรญa que no era necesario agregar mรกs ataduras si no estรกbamos listos. Este bebรฉ, en cierto modo, estaba fuera de los planes. --Seรฑora, ยฟestรก todo bien? ยฟNecesita que llame al jefe? --preguntรณ mi conductor privado, Luke, preocupado al notar mi ceรฑo fruncido. Luke era confiable como un miembro de la familia, pero no querรญa contarle porque querรญa que Pierce fuera el primero en enterarse de esta noticia. ร‰l era el padre de mi bebรฉ. --No --dije y neguรฉ con la cabeza, dรกndole a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadora--. Estรก en el vuelo. Hablarรฉ con รฉl mรกs tarde --y asรญ verรญa su respuesta yo misma en sus crudas expresiones. Siempre fui buena en eso. Finalmente, cerrรฉ los ojos y recordรฉ el dรญa en que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa a la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante que parecรญa un prรญncipe. Me enamorรฉ de รฉl a primera vista, mucho antes de que nos convirtiรฉramos en mejores amigos. Pero era sรณlo un amor no correspondido y yo lo sabรญa bien. En ese instante, bajรฉ la ventanilla del auto para tomar un poco de aire fresco y, sin quererlo, vislumbrรฉ nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Ese sentimiento amargo llenรณ mi pecho una vez mรกs... Pierce fue mi primer amor, pero yo no era el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo no era mรกs que una nerd aburrida a los ojos de los demรกs, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante mariscal de campo. Todos se sorprendieron de que pudiรฉramos ser amigos. Aunque las hostilidades hacia mรญ aumentaron, disfrutรฉ estar cerca de รฉl y poco a poco me di cuenta de que no querรญa ser sรณlo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesarle mis sentimientos, otra chica llegรณ a su vida. Sacudรญ la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos viejos y tristes recuerdos. Luego toquรฉ el frรญo anillo de bodas en mi dedo y me dije que el pasado ya habรญa pasado. Pierce dijo que habรญan terminado y que ahora yo era su esposa. Sรญ, yo era su esposa y ademรกs estaba embarazada de su bebรฉ. Pronto, me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas de las comisuras de los ojos y abrรญ la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazรณn se calmรณ al respirar el aroma de mi hogar, nuestra casa. Pierce y yo la decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. Sรญ, tal vez estaba pensando demasiado. Esa mujer habรญa estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y los รบltimos tres aรฑos mi matrimonio con Pierce fueron tan hermosos como un cuento de hadas. Una vez dentro, mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Para ese entonces, Pierce ya deberรญa haberse bajado del aviรณn. Estuvo mรกs de un mes en viajes de negocios de nuestra empresa familiar. Pierce era el presidente de ADE, la empresa de revistas de moda lรญder en toda Asia, y yo era la vicepresidente de la compaรฑรญa. No sรณlo รฉramos compaรฑeros de vida, sino tambiรฉn buenos socios en el trabajo. En verdad lo extraรฑaba. De inmediato, marquรฉ su nรบmero, pues tenรญa muchas ganas de escuchar su voz y saber cuรกndo llegarรญa a casa. Le prepararรญa una buena comida y รฉl me premiarรญa con un dulce beso. Y luego podrรญamos... Vaya, en ese momento casi olvidรฉ que estaba embarazada. Debรญa contarle eso primero y luego podrรญamos hacer otra cosa. Estaba imaginando felizmente nuestra encantadora reuniรณn, pero mi corazรณn dio un vuelco cuando una voz de mujer cruzรณ la lรญnea. --ยฟHola? Al escuchar esa sola palabra, dejรฉ caer mi telรฉfono, que se rompiรณ al chocar contra el suelo, y mi cuerpo empezรณ a temblar incontrolablemente. ยกNO! ยกNo podรญa ser ella! ยกNo podรญa ser Lexi! ยกElla ya estaba fuera de nuestras vidas! Debรญ haber escuchado mal. De inmediato, corrรญ hacia la nevera en un intento por calmarme con la ayuda de un poco de al**hol. Pero en el momento en que toquรฉ la botella de v**o, recordรฉ las palabras del mรฉdico sobre mi bebรฉ. Debรญa tener cuidado por la salud de mi bebรฉ, asรญ que solo agarrรฉ una caja de leche y caminรฉ hacia el sofรก. En ese entonces, no sabรญa quรฉ me hizo reconocer esa voz como la de Lexi. Nosotras nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era la tรญpica belleza rubia por la que los hombres se volvรญan locos. Ella era una animadora popular en la escuela secundaria, mientras que Pierce era el mariscal de campo estrella. Encajaba mejor con รฉl que una nerd como yo, ยฟverdad? No me sorprendiรณ que se haya enamorado de ella. Mi orgullo no soportรณ ver al hombre que amaba volverse loco por otra mujer, asรญ que una vez intentรฉ alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negรณ a salirse de mi vida. Cada vez que me ahogaba en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecรญa en mi puerta invitรกndome a salir. No podรญa decirle que no a su sonrisa encantadora y tampoco podรญa decirle que no porque afirmaba que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, ocultรฉ mi corazรณn roto y desempeรฑรฉ en silencio el papel de su mejor amiga, siempre a su lado y observando su rostro feliz por otra chica. Finalmente, cuando supe que Pierce planeaba proponerle matrimonio a Lexi, me armรฉ de valor y fui a estudiar al extranjero, sin saber que su abuela me llamarรญa para rogarme que regresara. Por supuesto, volvรญ a toda prisa sรณlo para ver a Pierce sin vida. Lexi le habรญa herido gravemente el corazรณn y el mรญo sufrรญa por mi amado. Empecรฉ a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le habรญa entregado a mi amado hombre, ยกcรณmo se atreviรณ a hacerle tanto daรฑo! ยกEsa bruja! Pierce no le contรณ a nadie lo que pasรณ, excepto que habรญa terminado con Lexi. Luego, la abuela arreglรณ nuestro matrimonio. No entendรญ por quรฉ estuvo de acuerdo hasta que un dรญa lo escuchรฉ decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi serรญa lo mismo para รฉl. Aquello me doliรณ mucho, pero aun asรญ me casรฉ con รฉl sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi amado estaba destrozado y querรญa recomponerlo, sin importarme si eso me arruinaba a mรญ en el proceso. Me quedรฉ dormida sintiรฉndome muy insegura y preocupada. Me despertรฉ en medio de la noche cuando sentรญ que alguien acariciaba mi mejilla. Lentamente abrรญ los ojos y me di cuenta de que me habรญa quedado dormida en la sala de estar. Alguien me levantรณ del sofรก e inmediatamente reconocรญ su olor y tacto mientras lo miraba con los ojos entrecerrados. --Pierceโ€ฆ --Hmm --murmurรณ mientras caminaba hacia las escaleras--. ยฟPor quรฉ te dormiste en el sofรก? Yo solo me quedรฉ mirรกndolo a la cara y luego me dejรณ suavemente sobre la cama, acariciรณ mi cabello y besรณ mi frente. Siempre fue tan gentil y por eso lo amaba tanto. Llevรกbamos mรกs de un mes separados, mi cuerpo lo extraรฑaba y mi corazรณn lo anhelaba. --ยฟDรณnde estabas? Te estuve esperando --dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. --Acabo de encontrarme con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, ยฟes urgente? Al ver su rostro amable, de repente no quise arruinarle el momento, asรญ que cerrรฉ mis labios entreabiertos y traguรฉ la verdad para devolverla a mi estรณmago. Maรฑana, tal vez maรฑana tendrรญa el coraje de afrontar todos los rompecabezas. De modo que solo sacudรญ la cabeza, hice un puchero y le dije que tenรญa sueรฑo. ร‰l se riรณ entre dientes y me dio un beso de buenas noches, pero en el momento en que estuvo a punto de dejarme, por alguna razรณn entrรฉ en pรกnico. Rรกpidamente lo agarrรฉ y lo b*sรฉ con toda mi pasiรณn... Lo extraรฑaba y lo querรญa. --Espera, Kels --dijo y me detuvo, sujetando mis locas manos sobre la cama--. Pensรฉ que habรญas dicho que tenรญas sueรฑo y que necesitabas descansar. --Sรญ, pero te extraรฑo --exclamรฉ y lo mirรฉ con inocencia. Pude captar el deseo brillando en sus ojos, pero se desvaneciรณ de pronto y yo no comprendรญa por quรฉ. Solรญa โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹ponerse feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. En ese instante, como si notara mi confusiรณn, se riรณ entre dientes y me pellizcรณ juguetonamente la nariz. --Me darรฉ una ducha. Huelo a al**hol --manifestรณ. Yo solo asentรญ y lo mirรฉ mientras caminaba hacia el baรฑo. Pronto la somnolencia volviรณ a atacarme, asรญ que cerrรฉ los ojos para tomar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de maรฑana cuando abrรญ los ojos nuevamente y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja con comida en la mesita de noche. --ยกEy! --lo saludรฉ y sonreรญ cuando me di cuenta de lo que habรญa hecho. Me habรญa preparado el desayuno para llevรกrmelo a la cama. Era tan dulce. ร‰l sonriรณ y se sentรณ en la cama. --Buen dรญa. Le devolvรญ la sonrisa mientras me sentaba en la cama. En ese momento, agarrรณ la bandeja y la puso a mi lado. Al instante, levantรฉ una ceja e inclinรฉ la cabeza mientras miraba su hermoso rostro. Sus cejas espesas y negras enmarcaban sus hermosos ojos de color marrรณn oscuro. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. Parecรญa un chico malo y s*xy, incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzarรญa de estar a su lado. Nadie tenรญa posibilidad alguna contra este hombre. --ยฟQuรฉ es esto? ยฟUn soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo --dije. ร‰l no se riรณ. Exhalรณ un suspiro y colocรณ con suavidad mi cabello detrรกs de mis orejas antes de tomar mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. --Tengo algo que decirte. Al instante, sentรญ que mi corazรณn se aceleraba y pensรฉ en nuestro bebรฉ en mi รบtero. Tenรญa algo que decirme, yo tambiรฉn tenรญa algo que contarle. --ยฟQ-Quรฉ cosa? --preguntรฉ con voz temblorosa. De repente, dio un profundo suspiro y comenzรณ: --Sabes que eres importante para mรญ, ยฟverdad? Asentรญ lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder, tenรญa miedo de lo que estaba a punto de decir. Tenรญa un mal presentimiento. --Eras mi mejor amiga antes de casarnos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoroโ€ฆ --prosiguiรณ. Mientras hablaba, escondรญ mis puรฑos cerrados debajo de la sรกbana. No sabรญa por quรฉ me decรญa todo esto, pero ya podรญa sentir las lรกgrimas acumulรกndose en el rabillo de mis ojos. --Kelly... --hizo una pausa y cerrรณ los ojos con fuerza antes de volver a mirarme a los ojos--. Creo que es hora de que nos divorciemos. --P-Pierceโ€ฆ --exclamรฉ y sentรญ que mi corazรณn se apretaba. ร‰l sonriรณ. --Sรฉ que tรบ tampoco sientes nada por mรญ. Te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos, hiciste esto solo porque los amas. Ahora llegรณ el momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Al oรญrlo, no pude evitar sacudir la cabeza. --ยฟDe quรฉ estรกs hablando, Pierce? --inquirรญ. --Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. Capรญtulo 2 Punto de vista de Kelly--Llueve sobre mojado De inmediato, me levantรฉ de la cama e intentรฉ irme, pero Pierce me agarrรณ la mano. Rรกpidamente me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que rodaban por mis mejillas antes de que รฉl pudiera verlas. Luego, se parรณ frente a mรญ y me mirรณ a la cara mientras yo intentaba con todas mis fuerzas mirar hacia abajo y evitar verlo a los ojos. Sentรญ que mi corazรณn se rompรญa en pedazos. Pensabaโ€ฆ pensaba que podrรญa hacer que se enamorara de mรญ en esos tres aรฑos que pasamos juntos. Pensaba que sus sentimientos cambiarรญan y me verรญa como una mujer en lugar de solo su mejor amiga. Fui estรบpida por tener esperanzas y soรฑar tan alto. Fallรฉ. Sin importar cuรกnto lo intentara, su corazรณn pertenecรญa sรณlo a su primer amor: Lexi. --Kellyโ€ฆ En ese momento, contuve el aliento y me traguรฉ el dolor mientras lo miraba. Luego fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --Debo lavarme las manos antes de comer. Pero รฉl me mirรณ a los ojos como si intentara descubrir lo que estaba pensando. Yo sabรญa que รฉl me conocรญa demasiado bien, asรญ que tratรฉ con todas mis fuerzas de ocultar mi dolor y le sonreรญ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y soltรณ mi mano. --Bueno. Te esperarรฉ aquรญ. Comamos y vayamos a trabajar juntos. ยฟJuntos? ยฟPor quรฉ era tan cruel? ยฟQuerรญa que nos siguiรฉramos llevando bien como si no me hubiera pedido el divorcio? ยฟQuerรญa que nos quedรกramos como estรกbamos justo despuรฉs de decirme que su primer amor habรญa regresado y querรญa divorciarse de mรญ? Oh Pierce, ยฟquรฉ estaba pasando por tu cabeza? Antes podรญa obligarme a mรญ misma a quedarme en el puesto de su mejor amiga mientras le deseaba felicidad, pero ya no tenรญa ese coraje despuรฉs de los tres aรฑos que habรญamos compartido. No habรญa manera de que pudiera soportar esa tortura otra vez, en especial ahora que cargaba a su bebรฉ. El bebรฉ... en un principio pensรฉ que era una buena noticia para nosotros, pero ahora... supongo que serรญa mรกs bien una carga para รฉl. Una carga que le impedirรญa conseguir su verdadero amor y su libertad. Yo sabรญa muy bien cรณmo crecรญa un niรฑo no deseado. Mis padres se divorciaron antes de que mi madre muriera y la nueva familia de mi padre me odiaba, lo que me dolรญa muchรญsimo. Por eso no querรญa que mi bebรฉ experimentara lo mismo que yo sentรญ, asรญ que debรญa mantener a mi bebรฉ alejado de รฉl. --No podemos --dije mientras fingรญa una nueva sonrisa--. Debo visitar el estudio para la sesiรณn de fotos de nuestros nuevos modelosโ€ฆ --Irรฉ contigo. --No --contestรฉ y apartรฉ su mano. Sus ojos siguieron mi mano antes de levantar la cara para mirarme de nuevo--. Tienes documentos que firmar. Nuestros horarios ya estรกn organizados, ยฟrecuerdas? --Peroโ€ฆ --Tengo un conductor personal, Pierce. Estarรฉ bien sola --afirmรฉ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y asintiรณ con calma. En ese momento, le di la espalda y entrรฉ al baรฑo. Inmediatamente abrรญ la ducha y me parรฉ bajo el agua frรญa. Las lรกgrimas cayeron en cascada por mis mejillas mientras me cubrรญa la boca para reprimir los sollozos. Mis hombros temblaban mucho y cuando pensรฉ en mi bebรฉ, traguรฉ saliva y tratรฉ de calmarme. Luego me limpiรฉ la cara y acariciรฉ mi vientre. Debรญa ser fuerte y mantener la calma. No podรญa arriesgar la vida de mi bebรฉ sรณlo porque me habรญan roto el corazรณn. Tenรญa que lidiar con esto de forma inteligente. Unos minutos despuรฉs, tomรฉ un respiro profundo y terminรฉ mi ducha. Cuando salรญ del baรฑo, me sorprendiรณ ver que Pierce todavรญa estaba allรญ. Estaba luchando por arreglarse la corbata frente al espejo de cuerpo entero. Tambiรฉn notรฉ un par de zapatos y un vestido mรญos sobre la cama. --ยกEy! Elegรญ tu vestido para hoy --dijo. Como nuestro matrimonio no era pรบblico, Pierce dijo que harรญa pequeรฑas cosas para mรญ como marido. De hecho, lo habรญa hecho bien y yo solรญa disfrutar de estos dulces momentos que me regalaba, pero ahora sentรญa que eso mismo me m**arรญa. Al segundo siguiente, agarrรฉ el vestido y entrรฉ al vestidor, sentiendo que me seguรญa. Volvรญ a guardar el vestido blanco y elegรญ uno rojo. Cuando me di vuelta y lo tuve de frente, lo vi con la frente arrugada. --Hoy prefiero el rojo. Me sentirรฉ hermosa con este vestido --expliquรฉ con una sonrisa. Al instante, sus ojos se dirigieron al vestido que sostenรญa y su rostro inmediatamente se calmรณ. Al final asintiรณ y caminรณ hacia mรญ. --Ya veo. Pero antes ayรบdame a arreglar esto --me pidiรณ. Sin dudarlo, puse mi vestido en su brazo y comencรฉ a arreglarle la corbata. Podรญa sentir sus ojos mirรกndome intensamente y eso hacรญa que mi corazรณn latiera muy rรกpido. Respirรฉ hondo y me mordรญ el labio inferior mientras luchaba por arreglar su corbata. De pronto, mi visiรณn se volviรณ borrosa otra vez. ยกMaldiciรณn! --Kellyโ€ฆ No pude evitar sobresaltarme en shock. --ยฟMmm? --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ y sonreรญ: --Sรญ. --Tengo algo mรกs que decirte. En ese instante, terminรฉ de arreglarle la corbata y le quitรฉ rรกpidamente el vestido del brazo. Lo mirรฉ antes de pasar junto a รฉl y dije: --Hablaremos despuรฉs. Voy a llegar tarde. Lo escuchรฉ suspirar antes de volver a seguirme. Me vestรญ mientras รฉl estaba detrรกs de mรญ. Estuvo en silencio todo el tiempo, como si estuviera pensando en algo. --Deberรญas desayunar antes de irte --comentรณ. Un segundo despuรฉs, me parรฉ frente a รฉl y asentรญ. --Lo harรฉ. Deberรญas irte ahora --respondรญ. --Kelly, estamos en la misma pรกgina, ยฟverdad? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ fijamente. No, Pierce. Nunca estuvimos en la misma pรกgina. Sรณlo fueron mis estรบpidas fantasรญas. Pensaba que sentรญas algo por mรญ, pero estaba muy equivocada. --Si hablas del divorcio, lo entiendo, Pierce. Sรฉ lo que tengo que hacer. Sรณlo dame algo de tiempo porque estoy muy ocupada con la empresa. No huirรฉ. --Kelly, no estoy haciendo esto sรณlo por mรญ. Tambiรฉn lo hago por ti. Has estado encerrada conmigo desde que nos casamos. Sรฉ que no eres feliz porque en el fondo tambiรฉn quieres encontrar al hombre que te mereces. Alguien que realmente te ame, no yo. No alguien indiferente. --Entiendo lo que tratas de decir, Pierce --dije y tratรฉ de darle la espalda, pero antes de poder hacerlo, รฉl me sujetรณ por la cintura y me mantuvo en el lugar. Luego hizo todo lo posible para captar mis ojos hasta que lo consiguiรณ. Su mirada era de preocupaciรณn. --Eres mi mejor amiga. No quiero perderte, Kels. Eres una de las pocas personasโ€ฆ --Lo sรฉ --lo interrumpรญ con frustraciรณn. Parecรญa sorprendido, asรญ que me calmรฉ--. Ya lo sรฉ. No tienes que preocuparte. Simplemente estoy estresada por el trabajo, no es por el divorcio. En ese instante, sus labios se separaron, asintiรณ lentamente y soltรณ un suspiro. Luego, caminรณ hacia mรญ y me congelรฉ cuando besรณ mi frente con dulzuraโ€ฆ --Gracias, Kelly --susurrรณ. Al oรญrlo, mi corazรณn se apretรณ. Habรญan pasado tres aรฑos pero todavรญa era una cobarde. ยซยฟPor quรฉ no puedes simplemente decirle que lo amas, Kelly? ยกร‰l es tu esposo y estรกs llevando su bebรฉ! ยกDรญselo y tal vez cambie de opiniรณn!ยป pensรฉ. Con eso en mente, traguรฉ saliva y estuve a punto de decรญrselo, pero justo en ese momento su telรฉfono sonรณ. Pude ver el identificador de llamadas. Era Lexi. --Me tengo que ir --afirmรณ y se rascรณ la cabeza a modo de disculpa, mientras las comisuras de su boca se curvaban hacia arriba--. Llamรฉ a Luke. Te espera afuera. Come antes de irte, ยฟsรญ? Con eso, saliรณ de nuestra habitaciรณn. De repente, las lรกgrimas que habรญa logrado reprimir hasta ese momento volvieron a brotar. ยฟPor quรฉ habรญa pensado que podrรญa tener una oportunidad? ร‰l tomรณ su decisiรณn en el momento en que me pidiรณ el divorcio, ยฟverdad? Siempre que se trataba de Lexi me abandonaba. Capรญtulo 3 Punto de vista de Kelly--Mantener la compostura Entrรฉ al estudio con tacones rojos de cinco centรญmetros y un vestido igualmente rojo. Todos miraron en mi direcciรณn cuando entrรฉ caminando por el pasillo y me saludaron con una sonrisa, pero mantuve mi rostro estoico, sin mostrar emociรณn alguna. La conversaciรณn de esa maรฑana con Pierce todavรญa estaba en mi cabeza, pero no podรญa permitir que afectara mi trabajo. No podรญa fallar en mi trabajo despuรฉs de haber fracasado en mi matrimonio. De modo que respirรฉ profundamente para recomponerme. Un momento despuรฉs, cuando entrรฉ a la sala de la sesiรณn de fotos, notรฉ que todos estaban sumidos en el caos. --ยกNo podemos! No responde las llamadas. ยฟQuรฉ debemos hacer? La vicepresidente viene hoy, se enojarรก. --Podemos simplemente decirle la verdad. Ella es amable. --ยกNo lo serรก con esta situaciรณn, Lily! Nos va a regaรฑar... --ยฟQuรฉ estรก pasando aquรญ? --preguntรฉ mientras entraba a la sala. De inmediato, el personal me mirรณ con expresiones preocupadas y entonces supe que habรญa un problema. --B-Buenos dรญas, seรฑorita Monroe. Seรฑorita Monroe. Por supuesto, nadie sabรญa que Pierce y yo estรกbamos casados โ€‹โ€‹excepto nuestras familias. Sentรญ como si pellizcaran mi corazรณn con esa verdad. Dolรญa. Rรกpidamente, la mirรฉ sin comprender. --ยฟQuรฉ ocurre? --T-tenemos un problema, seรฑorita Monroe. La seรฑorita Chen, nuestra modelo, no atiende nuestras llamadas. Dijo que escuchรณ que รญbamos a cambiar de modelo asรญ queโ€ฆ no quiere venir. Incluso... amenazรณ con presentar una demanda contra nosotros. Despuรฉs de decir eso, inclinรณ la cabeza. Yo apretรฉ los dientes y recorrรญ el lugar con la mirada. --ยฟDรณnde estรก la directora de marketing? --inquirรญ. --E-Ella todavรญa estรก tratando de convencer a la seรฑorita Chen, seรฑorita Monroe. Luego de escuchar el problema, me masajeรฉ la frente y cerrรฉ los ojos con fuerza. Un segundo despuรฉs, me agarrรฉ del pelo y gritรฉ de ira. Sentรญ que todos a mi alrededor se sobresaltaban sorprendidos. Yo solo suspirรฉ y tomรฉ una gran bocanada de aire antes de mirar a mi alrededor. --Seรฑorita Monroe... --ยฟQuรฉ es todo esto, seรฑorita Hayley? Tรบ eres la directora de marketing, ยฟquรฉ estรก pasando? --Seรฑorita Monroe, no sรฉ cรณmo sucediรณ, pero la seรฑorita Chen escuchรณ que usted cambiarรก de modelo. Estรก a punto de presentar una demanda contra nosotros... ยฟCambiar de modelo? ยฟCรณmo es que yo no sabรญa nada al respecto? La seรฑorita Chen siempre habรญa sido nuestra modelo de confianza y, si no era necesario, cambiar de modelo para una sesiรณn comercial con tan poca antelaciรณn sรณlo causarรญa muchos problemas a la empresa. Nunca permitirรญa un error como este. --Yo no pedรญ eso. Debe ser un error --la interrumpรญ para ahorrar tiempo--. ยกArregla este desastre o tendrรฉ que despedirte! --Seรฑorita Monroe... Fue el presidente quien nos pidiรณ que la cambiรกramos --explicรณ Hayley vacilante--. Lo ordenรณ ayer tan pronto como regresรณ de su viaje de negocios. Aquella verdad me golpeรณ con fuerza. ยฟFue orden de Pierce? ยฟPor quรฉ no me lo dijo? Solรญa โ€‹โ€‹discutir conmigo cada decisiรณn importante antes de tomarla. --No puede ser... --exclamรฉ confundida. Pierce no era un hombre de negocios despistado. Siempre mantuvo una clara distinciรณn entre el trabajo y la vida personal, razรณn por la cual siempre tuvo รฉxito. Y esa fue tambiรฉn la razรณn por la que decidiรณ mantener nuestro matrimonio en secreto. --Sรญ, Kelly. Yo di la orden. --Su voz me hizo retroceder. --S-Seรฑor Presidenteโ€ฆ --saludรณ Hayley y se inclinรณ con respeto al ver al hombre que apareciรณ de repente detrรกs de mรญ. --Pierce, ยกcreo que me debes una explicaciรณn sobre este cambio de modelo! --dije con los dientes apretados mientras me giraba para interrogarlo. ร‰l sabรญa perfectamente cuรกnto esfuerzo puse para ganar este proyecto. Estuve dรญas sin dormir y la seรฑorita Chen era la persona ideal para este trabajo. De hecho, รฉl tambiรฉn estuvo de acuerdo. Pero ahoraโ€ฆ simplemente cambiรณ la modelo a su gusto sin avisarme con antelaciรณn. Eso fue como abofetearme con fuerza en la cara. --Continรบen con el trabajo. Yo se lo aclararรฉ --le indicรณ รฉl al personal para calmarlos, ignorando la ira que estaba a punto de salir de mis ojos. --ยกContรฉstame, Pierce! ยฟPor quรฉ cambias de modelo tan de repente? --No pude contener mi enojo. ร‰l simplemente me tocรณ el hombro y me susurrรณ: --Este no es el lugar para discutir al respecto. Te lo explicarรฉ en el auto. En ese momento, mirรฉ a mi alrededor y notรฉ que los demรกs nos miraban furtivamente. Luego me quitรฉ sus manos de encima y caminรฉ hacia el estacionamiento, pero durante el camino, sentรญa mi corazรณn cada vez mรกs pesado. Tenรญa la sensaciรณn de que su explicaciรณn no iba a gustarme. --Vamos, dรญmelo --exclamรฉ ni bien nos sentamos en su auto. Antes de hablar, me mirรณ a los ojos como si sopesara mis emociones, pero yo apartรฉ la mirada de nuevo. No podรญa soportar sus miradas, no podรญa soportar esos ojos que nunca me miraban como yo querรญa. ร‰l no sentรญa nada por mรญ y eso me dolรญa mucho. --Yo-yoโ€ฆ --hizo una pausa y suspirรณ--. Reemplacรฉ a la seรฑorita Chen porque Lexi quiere ser nuestra modelo. Ella tambiรฉn encaja en el proyecto, asรญ que estuve de acuerdo... --ยฟQuรฉ? --preguntรฉ con incredulidad. De pronto, apretรณ los labios y mirรณ hacia otro lado. Luego se revolviรณ el cabello antes de sacudir la cabeza y tomar mi mano. --Lamento no haberte dicho antes, fue muy repentino. Ella me pidiรณ un favor, no pude decirle que no. Rรกpidamente, retirรฉ mi mano y lo mirรฉ con dolor y enojo. --No pudiste decirle que no, asรญ que preferiste daรฑar a la empresa, a nuestra empresa. Me traicionaste, Pierce. --Kels, vamos. Sabes cuรกnto la amo. Ella es mi primer amor. Al oรญrlo, cerrรฉ los ojos con dolor. ยซOh sรญ, ella es tu primer amor. Siempre la quisiste a ella, sin que te importen los demรกs. Si ella te frunce el ceรฑo un poco, puedes hacer la vista gorda ante el dolor y el esfuerzo de los demรกs. Eres tan cruel, Pierceยป pensรฉ. --Bueno, ya lo has decidido. No tengo voz y voto en esto ya que tรบ eres el presidente. Ahora vete, estarรฉ en la oficina --indiquรฉ con frialdad mientras abrรญa la puerta del auto para salir. --Kellyโ€ฆ En ese instante, lo mirรฉ a los ojos y dije: --Ve a casa temprano. Hablaremos de nuestro divorcio esta noche. Capรญtulo 4 Punto de vista de Kelly--Plantada Me encontraba jugueteando con el anillo de bodas en mi dedo mientras lo esperaba. Le habรญa dicho que volviera temprano a casa, pero todavรญa no regresaba y ni siquiera contestaba mis llamadas. Bueno, ahora que Lexi habรญa vuelto, probablemente ya no veรญa a esta casa como su hogar. De pronto, mis ojos se dirigieron a mi informe de embarazo que estaba sobre la mesa. Quรฉ gracioso. Todavรญa era tan ingenua para albergar un rayo de esperanza de que las cosas podrรญan cambiar si le hablaba del bebรฉ, pero este bebรฉ estaba fuera de sus planes. Me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que se acumulaban en el rabillo de mis ojos y agarrรฉ el informe. Ya eran las cinco de la maรฑana cuando mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Intentรฉ marcar su nรบmero nuevamente, pero seguรญa sin responder. ยฟEn quรฉ estaba tan ocupado? ยฟEstaba h**iendo el a**r con Lexi? Debiรณ haberla extraรฑado mucho, ยฟverdad? Pronto, sin saber cuรกndo, me quedรฉ dormida. Cuando sonรณ el despertador, inconscientemente toquรฉ la almohada a mi lado. Frรญo como anoche, no habรญa vuelto a casa todavรญa. Me burlรฉ de mรญ misma al ver mi reflejo en el espejo de la cรณmoda. Los cรญrculos oscuros bajo mis ojos se veรญan a simple vista y mi cabello era un total desastre, parecรญa un fantasma. De repente una oleada de nรกuseas inundรณ mi estรณmago y me di cuenta de que no habรญa comido nada la noche anterior. De pronto, me sentรญ mal otra vez y rรกpidamente corrรญ hacia el lavabo y vomitรฉ. Escupรญ un lรญquido amarillento que sabรญa muy mal. De inmediato, me lavรฉ la boca y mirรฉ mi propio reflejo en el espejo. Al verme, sacudรญ la cabeza y tomรฉ mi frente en cuanto sentรญ ganas de vomitar de nuevo. Volvรญ a escupir el lรญquido amarillento y mientras me lavaba la boca, sentรญ una cรกlida mano acariciando mi espalda. Inmediatamente levantรฉ la cara y me encontrรฉ con un par de ojos marrones que me miraban a travรฉs del espejo. Detrรกs de mรญ con cara de preocupaciรณn estaba mi esposo Pierce. --ยฟEstรกs bien? ยฟTe sientes mal? Debiste haberme dicho. Al instante, lo mirรฉ a travรฉs del espejo. --No respondiste mis llamadas --contestรฉ. Ante aquellas palabras, la culpa apareciรณ en sus ojos. --Lo lamento. Tenรญa cosas que hacer. Me quedรฉ en la oficina toda la noche --afirmรณ. Rรกpidamente, me limpiรฉ la cara y pasรฉ junto a รฉl. Pierce me siguiรณ mientras me sentaba frente al tocador y comenzaba a peinarme. --Kelsโ€ฆ --Me despertรฉ tarde. No pude preparar el desayuno. Mientras hablaba, intentรฉ evitar sus ojos. Sentรญa que iba a perder los estribos y gritarle. En ningรบn momento sentรญ su egoรญsmo tan claramente como ahora. Decรญa que yo era su mejor amiga, pero nunca le habรญan importado mis necesidades, mis sentimientos. --Kels... sabes que no te preguntรฉ eso. Estoy preocupado por tu salud... Kels, ยฟtodavรญa estamos bien? Ante aquella pregunta, dejรฉ de peinarme y lentamente nuestras miradas se encontraron a travรฉs del espejo, otra vez. ยฟDe verdad me estaba preguntando eso? ยฟDespuรฉs de que me pidiรณ el divorcio sin siquiera preguntarme si estaba de acuerdo? ร‰l decidiรณ por su cuenta sรณlo porque su primer amor habรญa vuelto. No podรญa creer lo que hacรญa. Al final, fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --No me siento bien hoy, Pierce, eso es todo. Un instante despuรฉs, se puso de cuclillas a mi lado, lo cual no me resultรณ sorprendente porque sabรญa que realmente se preocupaba. Pero lo que sรญ me sorprendiรณ fue que hacรญa todo esto despuรฉs de enterrar una daga en mi corazรณn. --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ mientras tocaba suavemente mi frente y mi cuello--. ยฟEstรกs enferma? Dime cรณmo te sientes, Kels. --Mis sentimientos no importan --no pude evitar decir y parecรญa sorprendido por mis palabras. En ese instante, intentรฉ evitarlo, pero me agarrรณ de la muรฑeca y me hizo mirarlo. Su rostro ahora reflejaba su ira. Habรญa perdido completamente la paciencia. --ยฟQuรฉ te pasa, Kels? Has estado actuando asรญ desde ayer. ยฟEs por Lexi? ยฟO porque no volvรญ a casa anoche? --inquiriรณ. Yo lo mirรฉ a los ojos, molesta. --ยกTรบ fuiste quien pidiรณ el divorcio! Te pedรญ que regresaras temprano para hablar al respecto, pero me dejaste esperando toda la noche. ยฟPretendรญas que te diera la bienvenida con brazos abiertos despuรฉs de eso, Pierce? --respondรญ. Al escucharme, apretรณ la mandรญbula y sacudiรณ la cabeza. --Kels, yo... --Ya basta. Hablaremos del divorcio despuรฉs del trabajo. --ยกKels! --me llamรณ y me agarrรณ de los hombros. La confusiรณn y el dolor eran visibles en sus ojos--. ยฟEstรกs... enamorada de mรญ? Aquello me desconcertรณ. ยฟEnamorada? ยกSรญ! Desde que estรกbamos en la escuela secundaria, desde que se convirtiรณ en mi mejor amigo. ยฟQuiรฉn no se enamorarรญa de alguien que te ha estado protegiendo desde entonces? Siempre he estado agradecida de tenerlo como mi mejor amigo y esposo, pero ahoraโ€ฆ lo estaba perdiendo. Perdiรฉndolo irremediablemente. Decidรญ darle a nuestro matrimonio una รบltima oportunidad, hacer un esfuerzo final... ...... ==== Casarse con su mejor amigo fue un sueรฑo hecho realidad para Kelly, pero todo tiene realmente una limitaciรณn. Pierce es el primer amor de Kelly, pero como su mejor amiga, sabรญa bien que siempre habรญa otra mujer en lo profundo de su corazรณn. Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finalmente se dio cuenta de que su feliz matrimonio de los รบltimos tres aรฑos era solo un hermoso sueรฑo cuando Pierce pidiรณ el divorcio solo porque Lexi regresรณ. Ella sรณlo podrรญa ser su mejor amiga incluso si estuviera encinta de su bebรฉ. ยฟPor quรฉ no merecรญa ser amada? ยฟQuรฉ sucederรก en adelante? ยฟCรณmo podrรญa Kelly salvar su corazรณn en esta batalla de amor y odio? Los capรญtulos disponibles son limitados aquรญ, haga click el botรณn abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo mรกs contenidos maravillosos. (Al abrir el APP, directo accederรก a este libro) &3& LEARN_MORE https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spc Fun Novels https://www.facebook.com/61563251196448/ 1,902 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 fbweb.manobook.com VIDEO https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spcp25_2-1030-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=860298072104208&rawadid=120215572790090204 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465674611_911433313819736_1789060881458619914_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e6Oj1ilyrA4Q7kNvgEbbve8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ACfE0w_8jiFkAEHjq_Ahw01&oh=00_AYDwYEWh8CHCqmsurokwNy9IoQHlMWKvrCoIfXl0jBYc7Q&oe=67470AB9 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Fun Novels 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Para ella, casarse con su mejor amigo y quedar embarazada de su hijo fue un sueรฑo hecho realidad. Pero en ese momento feliz, la mujer que amaba su marido regresรณ... ===== ยฟLo habรญa oรญdo bien? ยฟEstoy embarazada? ยกEstoy embarazada de un bebรฉ de Pierce! ยกMi mejor amigo y mi primer amor! --Quรฉ bueno que haya sido cautelosa, pudo haber perdido a su bebรฉ, seรฑorita Monroe --me dijo el ginecรณlogo con seriedad al ver la sorpresa en mis ojos. En ese momento, me toquรฉ el vientre inconscientemente, sin poder creer que hubiera un bebรฉ acostado allรญ. Cuando salรญ del hospital, no podรญa esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebรฉ. Me preguntaba cuรกl serรญa su reacciรณn. ยฟGritarรญa de felicidad? ยฟMe b**arรญa y todo eso? ยกDios! No podรญa contener mi felicidad. Incluso tomรฉ mi cara roja entre mis manos mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentรญ el frรญo del anillo en mi dedo, mi corazรณn que latรญa salvajemente se calmรณ. Casi olvidaba que Pierce no estaba interesado en tener hijos, menos considerando que nuestro matrimonio fue arreglado por su familia. Por supuesto, Pierce era un completo caballero, como amigo y como marido. Cada vez que tenรญamos relaciones s**uales, รฉl era considerado y cauteloso, y decรญa que no era necesario agregar mรกs ataduras si no estรกbamos listos. Este bebรฉ, en cierto modo, estaba fuera de los planes. --Seรฑora, ยฟestรก todo bien? ยฟNecesita que llame al jefe? --preguntรณ mi conductor privado, Luke, preocupado al notar mi ceรฑo fruncido. Luke era confiable como un miembro de la familia, pero no querรญa contarle porque querรญa que Pierce fuera el primero en enterarse de esta noticia. ร‰l era el padre de mi bebรฉ. --No --dije y neguรฉ con la cabeza, dรกndole a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadora--. Estรก en el vuelo. Hablarรฉ con รฉl mรกs tarde --y asรญ verรญa su respuesta yo misma en sus crudas expresiones. Siempre fui buena en eso. Finalmente, cerrรฉ los ojos y recordรฉ el dรญa en que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa a la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante que parecรญa un prรญncipe. Me enamorรฉ de รฉl a primera vista, mucho antes de que nos convirtiรฉramos en mejores amigos. Pero era sรณlo un amor no correspondido y yo lo sabรญa bien. En ese instante, bajรฉ la ventanilla del auto para tomar un poco de aire fresco y, sin quererlo, vislumbrรฉ nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Ese sentimiento amargo llenรณ mi pecho una vez mรกs... Pierce fue mi primer amor, pero yo no era el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo no era mรกs que una nerd aburrida a los ojos de los demรกs, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante mariscal de campo. Todos se sorprendieron de que pudiรฉramos ser amigos. Aunque las hostilidades hacia mรญ aumentaron, disfrutรฉ estar cerca de รฉl y poco a poco me di cuenta de que no querรญa ser sรณlo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesarle mis sentimientos, otra chica llegรณ a su vida. Sacudรญ la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos viejos y tristes recuerdos. Luego toquรฉ el frรญo anillo de bodas en mi dedo y me dije que el pasado ya habรญa pasado. Pierce dijo que habรญan terminado y que ahora yo era su esposa. Sรญ, yo era su esposa y ademรกs estaba embarazada de su bebรฉ. Pronto, me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas de las comisuras de los ojos y abrรญ la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazรณn se calmรณ al respirar el aroma de mi hogar, nuestra casa. Pierce y yo la decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. Sรญ, tal vez estaba pensando demasiado. Esa mujer habรญa estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y los รบltimos tres aรฑos mi matrimonio con Pierce fueron tan hermosos como un cuento de hadas. Una vez dentro, mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Para ese entonces, Pierce ya deberรญa haberse bajado del aviรณn. Estuvo mรกs de un mes en viajes de negocios de nuestra empresa familiar. Pierce era el presidente de ADE, la empresa de revistas de moda lรญder en toda Asia, y yo era la vicepresidente de la compaรฑรญa. No sรณlo รฉramos compaรฑeros de vida, sino tambiรฉn buenos socios en el trabajo. En verdad lo extraรฑaba. De inmediato, marquรฉ su nรบmero, pues tenรญa muchas ganas de escuchar su voz y saber cuรกndo llegarรญa a casa. Le prepararรญa una buena comida y รฉl me premiarรญa con un dulce beso. Y luego podrรญamos... Vaya, en ese momento casi olvidรฉ que estaba embarazada. Debรญa contarle eso primero y luego podrรญamos hacer otra cosa. Estaba imaginando felizmente nuestra encantadora reuniรณn, pero mi corazรณn dio un vuelco cuando una voz de mujer cruzรณ la lรญnea. --ยฟHola? Al escuchar esa sola palabra, dejรฉ caer mi telรฉfono, que se rompiรณ al chocar contra el suelo, y mi cuerpo empezรณ a temblar incontrolablemente. ยกNO! ยกNo podรญa ser ella! ยกNo podรญa ser Lexi! ยกElla ya estaba fuera de nuestras vidas! Debรญ haber escuchado mal. De inmediato, corrรญ hacia la nevera en un intento por calmarme con la ayuda de un poco de al**hol. Pero en el momento en que toquรฉ la botella de v**o, recordรฉ las palabras del mรฉdico sobre mi bebรฉ. Debรญa tener cuidado por la salud de mi bebรฉ, asรญ que solo agarrรฉ una caja de leche y caminรฉ hacia el sofรก. En ese entonces, no sabรญa quรฉ me hizo reconocer esa voz como la de Lexi. Nosotras nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era la tรญpica belleza rubia por la que los hombres se volvรญan locos. Ella era una animadora popular en la escuela secundaria, mientras que Pierce era el mariscal de campo estrella. Encajaba mejor con รฉl que una nerd como yo, ยฟverdad? No me sorprendiรณ que se haya enamorado de ella. Mi orgullo no soportรณ ver al hombre que amaba volverse loco por otra mujer, asรญ que una vez intentรฉ alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negรณ a salirse de mi vida. Cada vez que me ahogaba en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecรญa en mi puerta invitรกndome a salir. No podรญa decirle que no a su sonrisa encantadora y tampoco podรญa decirle que no porque afirmaba que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, ocultรฉ mi corazรณn roto y desempeรฑรฉ en silencio el papel de su mejor amiga, siempre a su lado y observando su rostro feliz por otra chica. Finalmente, cuando supe que Pierce planeaba proponerle matrimonio a Lexi, me armรฉ de valor y fui a estudiar al extranjero, sin saber que su abuela me llamarรญa para rogarme que regresara. Por supuesto, volvรญ a toda prisa sรณlo para ver a Pierce sin vida. Lexi le habรญa herido gravemente el corazรณn y el mรญo sufrรญa por mi amado. Empecรฉ a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le habรญa entregado a mi amado hombre, ยกcรณmo se atreviรณ a hacerle tanto daรฑo! ยกEsa bruja! Pierce no le contรณ a nadie lo que pasรณ, excepto que habรญa terminado con Lexi. Luego, la abuela arreglรณ nuestro matrimonio. No entendรญ por quรฉ estuvo de acuerdo hasta que un dรญa lo escuchรฉ decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi serรญa lo mismo para รฉl. Aquello me doliรณ mucho, pero aun asรญ me casรฉ con รฉl sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi amado estaba destrozado y querรญa recomponerlo, sin importarme si eso me arruinaba a mรญ en el proceso. Me quedรฉ dormida sintiรฉndome muy insegura y preocupada. Me despertรฉ en medio de la noche cuando sentรญ que alguien acariciaba mi mejilla. Lentamente abrรญ los ojos y me di cuenta de que me habรญa quedado dormida en la sala de estar. Alguien me levantรณ del sofรก e inmediatamente reconocรญ su olor y tacto mientras lo miraba con los ojos entrecerrados. --Pierceโ€ฆ --Hmm --murmurรณ mientras caminaba hacia las escaleras--. ยฟPor quรฉ te dormiste en el sofรก? Yo solo me quedรฉ mirรกndolo a la cara y luego me dejรณ suavemente sobre la cama, acariciรณ mi cabello y besรณ mi frente. Siempre fue tan gentil y por eso lo amaba tanto. Llevรกbamos mรกs de un mes separados, mi cuerpo lo extraรฑaba y mi corazรณn lo anhelaba. --ยฟDรณnde estabas? Te estuve esperando --dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. --Acabo de encontrarme con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, ยฟes urgente? Al ver su rostro amable, de repente no quise arruinarle el momento, asรญ que cerrรฉ mis labios entreabiertos y traguรฉ la verdad para devolverla a mi estรณmago. Maรฑana, tal vez maรฑana tendrรญa el coraje de afrontar todos los rompecabezas. De modo que solo sacudรญ la cabeza, hice un puchero y le dije que tenรญa sueรฑo. ร‰l se riรณ entre dientes y me dio un beso de buenas noches, pero en el momento en que estuvo a punto de dejarme, por alguna razรณn entrรฉ en pรกnico. Rรกpidamente lo agarrรฉ y lo b*sรฉ con toda mi pasiรณn... Lo extraรฑaba y lo querรญa. --Espera, Kels --dijo y me detuvo, sujetando mis locas manos sobre la cama--. Pensรฉ que habรญas dicho que tenรญas sueรฑo y que necesitabas descansar. --Sรญ, pero te extraรฑo --exclamรฉ y lo mirรฉ con inocencia. Pude captar el deseo brillando en sus ojos, pero se desvaneciรณ de pronto y yo no comprendรญa por quรฉ. Solรญa โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹ponerse feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. En ese instante, como si notara mi confusiรณn, se riรณ entre dientes y me pellizcรณ juguetonamente la nariz. --Me darรฉ una ducha. Huelo a al**hol --manifestรณ. Yo solo asentรญ y lo mirรฉ mientras caminaba hacia el baรฑo. Pronto la somnolencia volviรณ a atacarme, asรญ que cerrรฉ los ojos para tomar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de maรฑana cuando abrรญ los ojos nuevamente y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja con comida en la mesita de noche. --ยกEy! --lo saludรฉ y sonreรญ cuando me di cuenta de lo que habรญa hecho. Me habรญa preparado el desayuno para llevรกrmelo a la cama. Era tan dulce. ร‰l sonriรณ y se sentรณ en la cama. --Buen dรญa. Le devolvรญ la sonrisa mientras me sentaba en la cama. En ese momento, agarrรณ la bandeja y la puso a mi lado. Al instante, levantรฉ una ceja e inclinรฉ la cabeza mientras miraba su hermoso rostro. Sus cejas espesas y negras enmarcaban sus hermosos ojos de color marrรณn oscuro. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. Parecรญa un chico malo y s*xy, incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzarรญa de estar a su lado. Nadie tenรญa posibilidad alguna contra este hombre. --ยฟQuรฉ es esto? ยฟUn soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo --dije. ร‰l no se riรณ. Exhalรณ un suspiro y colocรณ con suavidad mi cabello detrรกs de mis orejas antes de tomar mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. --Tengo algo que decirte. Al instante, sentรญ que mi corazรณn se aceleraba y pensรฉ en nuestro bebรฉ en mi รบtero. Tenรญa algo que decirme, yo tambiรฉn tenรญa algo que contarle. --ยฟQ-Quรฉ cosa? --preguntรฉ con voz temblorosa. De repente, dio un profundo suspiro y comenzรณ: --Sabes que eres importante para mรญ, ยฟverdad? Asentรญ lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder, tenรญa miedo de lo que estaba a punto de decir. Tenรญa un mal presentimiento. --Eras mi mejor amiga antes de casarnos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoroโ€ฆ --prosiguiรณ. Mientras hablaba, escondรญ mis puรฑos cerrados debajo de la sรกbana. No sabรญa por quรฉ me decรญa todo esto, pero ya podรญa sentir las lรกgrimas acumulรกndose en el rabillo de mis ojos. --Kelly... --hizo una pausa y cerrรณ los ojos con fuerza antes de volver a mirarme a los ojos--. Creo que es hora de que nos divorciemos. --P-Pierceโ€ฆ --exclamรฉ y sentรญ que mi corazรณn se apretaba. ร‰l sonriรณ. --Sรฉ que tรบ tampoco sientes nada por mรญ. Te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos, hiciste esto solo porque los amas. Ahora llegรณ el momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Al oรญrlo, no pude evitar sacudir la cabeza. --ยฟDe quรฉ estรกs hablando, Pierce? --inquirรญ. --Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. Capรญtulo 2 Punto de vista de Kelly--Llueve sobre mojado De inmediato, me levantรฉ de la cama e intentรฉ irme, pero Pierce me agarrรณ la mano. Rรกpidamente me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que rodaban por mis mejillas antes de que รฉl pudiera verlas. Luego, se parรณ frente a mรญ y me mirรณ a la cara mientras yo intentaba con todas mis fuerzas mirar hacia abajo y evitar verlo a los ojos. Sentรญ que mi corazรณn se rompรญa en pedazos. Pensabaโ€ฆ pensaba que podrรญa hacer que se enamorara de mรญ en esos tres aรฑos que pasamos juntos. Pensaba que sus sentimientos cambiarรญan y me verรญa como una mujer en lugar de solo su mejor amiga. Fui estรบpida por tener esperanzas y soรฑar tan alto. Fallรฉ. Sin importar cuรกnto lo intentara, su corazรณn pertenecรญa sรณlo a su primer amor: Lexi. --Kellyโ€ฆ En ese momento, contuve el aliento y me traguรฉ el dolor mientras lo miraba. Luego fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --Debo lavarme las manos antes de comer. Pero รฉl me mirรณ a los ojos como si intentara descubrir lo que estaba pensando. Yo sabรญa que รฉl me conocรญa demasiado bien, asรญ que tratรฉ con todas mis fuerzas de ocultar mi dolor y le sonreรญ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y soltรณ mi mano. --Bueno. Te esperarรฉ aquรญ. Comamos y vayamos a trabajar juntos. ยฟJuntos? ยฟPor quรฉ era tan cruel? ยฟQuerรญa que nos siguiรฉramos llevando bien como si no me hubiera pedido el divorcio? ยฟQuerรญa que nos quedรกramos como estรกbamos justo despuรฉs de decirme que su primer amor habรญa regresado y querรญa divorciarse de mรญ? Oh Pierce, ยฟquรฉ estaba pasando por tu cabeza? Antes podรญa obligarme a mรญ misma a quedarme en el puesto de su mejor amiga mientras le deseaba felicidad, pero ya no tenรญa ese coraje despuรฉs de los tres aรฑos que habรญamos compartido. No habรญa manera de que pudiera soportar esa tortura otra vez, en especial ahora que cargaba a su bebรฉ. El bebรฉ... en un principio pensรฉ que era una buena noticia para nosotros, pero ahora... supongo que serรญa mรกs bien una carga para รฉl. Una carga que le impedirรญa conseguir su verdadero amor y su libertad. Yo sabรญa muy bien cรณmo crecรญa un niรฑo no deseado. Mis padres se divorciaron antes de que mi madre muriera y la nueva familia de mi padre me odiaba, lo que me dolรญa muchรญsimo. Por eso no querรญa que mi bebรฉ experimentara lo mismo que yo sentรญ, asรญ que debรญa mantener a mi bebรฉ alejado de รฉl. --No podemos --dije mientras fingรญa una nueva sonrisa--. Debo visitar el estudio para la sesiรณn de fotos de nuestros nuevos modelosโ€ฆ --Irรฉ contigo. --No --contestรฉ y apartรฉ su mano. Sus ojos siguieron mi mano antes de levantar la cara para mirarme de nuevo--. Tienes documentos que firmar. Nuestros horarios ya estรกn organizados, ยฟrecuerdas? --Peroโ€ฆ --Tengo un conductor personal, Pierce. Estarรฉ bien sola --afirmรฉ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y asintiรณ con calma. En ese momento, le di la espalda y entrรฉ al baรฑo. Inmediatamente abrรญ la ducha y me parรฉ bajo el agua frรญa. Las lรกgrimas cayeron en cascada por mis mejillas mientras me cubrรญa la boca para reprimir los sollozos. Mis hombros temblaban mucho y cuando pensรฉ en mi bebรฉ, traguรฉ saliva y tratรฉ de calmarme. Luego me limpiรฉ la cara y acariciรฉ mi vientre. Debรญa ser fuerte y mantener la calma. No podรญa arriesgar la vida de mi bebรฉ sรณlo porque me habรญan roto el corazรณn. Tenรญa que lidiar con esto de forma inteligente. Unos minutos despuรฉs, tomรฉ un respiro profundo y terminรฉ mi ducha. Cuando salรญ del baรฑo, me sorprendiรณ ver que Pierce todavรญa estaba allรญ. Estaba luchando por arreglarse la corbata frente al espejo de cuerpo entero. Tambiรฉn notรฉ un par de zapatos y un vestido mรญos sobre la cama. --ยกEy! Elegรญ tu vestido para hoy --dijo. Como nuestro matrimonio no era pรบblico, Pierce dijo que harรญa pequeรฑas cosas para mรญ como marido. De hecho, lo habรญa hecho bien y yo solรญa disfrutar de estos dulces momentos que me regalaba, pero ahora sentรญa que eso mismo me m**arรญa. Al segundo siguiente, agarrรฉ el vestido y entrรฉ al vestidor, sentiendo que me seguรญa. Volvรญ a guardar el vestido blanco y elegรญ uno rojo. Cuando me di vuelta y lo tuve de frente, lo vi con la frente arrugada. --Hoy prefiero el rojo. Me sentirรฉ hermosa con este vestido --expliquรฉ con una sonrisa. Al instante, sus ojos se dirigieron al vestido que sostenรญa y su rostro inmediatamente se calmรณ. Al final asintiรณ y caminรณ hacia mรญ. --Ya veo. Pero antes ayรบdame a arreglar esto --me pidiรณ. Sin dudarlo, puse mi vestido en su brazo y comencรฉ a arreglarle la corbata. Podรญa sentir sus ojos mirรกndome intensamente y eso hacรญa que mi corazรณn latiera muy rรกpido. Respirรฉ hondo y me mordรญ el labio inferior mientras luchaba por arreglar su corbata. De pronto, mi visiรณn se volviรณ borrosa otra vez. ยกMaldiciรณn! --Kellyโ€ฆ No pude evitar sobresaltarme en shock. --ยฟMmm? --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ y sonreรญ: --Sรญ. --Tengo algo mรกs que decirte. En ese instante, terminรฉ de arreglarle la corbata y le quitรฉ rรกpidamente el vestido del brazo. Lo mirรฉ antes de pasar junto a รฉl y dije: --Hablaremos despuรฉs. Voy a llegar tarde. Lo escuchรฉ suspirar antes de volver a seguirme. Me vestรญ mientras รฉl estaba detrรกs de mรญ. Estuvo en silencio todo el tiempo, como si estuviera pensando en algo. --Deberรญas desayunar antes de irte --comentรณ. Un segundo despuรฉs, me parรฉ frente a รฉl y asentรญ. --Lo harรฉ. Deberรญas irte ahora --respondรญ. --Kelly, estamos en la misma pรกgina, ยฟverdad? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ fijamente. No, Pierce. Nunca estuvimos en la misma pรกgina. Sรณlo fueron mis estรบpidas fantasรญas. Pensaba que sentรญas algo por mรญ, pero estaba muy equivocada. --Si hablas del divorcio, lo entiendo, Pierce. Sรฉ lo que tengo que hacer. Sรณlo dame algo de tiempo porque estoy muy ocupada con la empresa. No huirรฉ. --Kelly, no estoy haciendo esto sรณlo por mรญ. Tambiรฉn lo hago por ti. Has estado encerrada conmigo desde que nos casamos. Sรฉ que no eres feliz porque en el fondo tambiรฉn quieres encontrar al hombre que te mereces. Alguien que realmente te ame, no yo. No alguien indiferente. --Entiendo lo que tratas de decir, Pierce --dije y tratรฉ de darle la espalda, pero antes de poder hacerlo, รฉl me sujetรณ por la cintura y me mantuvo en el lugar. Luego hizo todo lo posible para captar mis ojos hasta que lo consiguiรณ. Su mirada era de preocupaciรณn. --Eres mi mejor amiga. No quiero perderte, Kels. Eres una de las pocas personasโ€ฆ --Lo sรฉ --lo interrumpรญ con frustraciรณn. Parecรญa sorprendido, asรญ que me calmรฉ--. Ya lo sรฉ. No tienes que preocuparte. Simplemente estoy estresada por el trabajo, no es por el divorcio. En ese instante, sus labios se separaron, asintiรณ lentamente y soltรณ un suspiro. Luego, caminรณ hacia mรญ y me congelรฉ cuando besรณ mi frente con dulzuraโ€ฆ --Gracias, Kelly --susurrรณ. Al oรญrlo, mi corazรณn se apretรณ. Habรญan pasado tres aรฑos pero todavรญa era una cobarde. ยซยฟPor quรฉ no puedes simplemente decirle que lo amas, Kelly? ยกร‰l es tu esposo y estรกs llevando su bebรฉ! ยกDรญselo y tal vez cambie de opiniรณn!ยป pensรฉ. Con eso en mente, traguรฉ saliva y estuve a punto de decรญrselo, pero justo en ese momento su telรฉfono sonรณ. Pude ver el identificador de llamadas. Era Lexi. --Me tengo que ir --afirmรณ y se rascรณ la cabeza a modo de disculpa, mientras las comisuras de su boca se curvaban hacia arriba--. Llamรฉ a Luke. Te espera afuera. Come antes de irte, ยฟsรญ? Con eso, saliรณ de nuestra habitaciรณn. De repente, las lรกgrimas que habรญa logrado reprimir hasta ese momento volvieron a brotar. ยฟPor quรฉ habรญa pensado que podrรญa tener una oportunidad? ร‰l tomรณ su decisiรณn en el momento en que me pidiรณ el divorcio, ยฟverdad? Siempre que se trataba de Lexi me abandonaba. Capรญtulo 3 Punto de vista de Kelly--Mantener la compostura Entrรฉ al estudio con tacones rojos de cinco centรญmetros y un vestido igualmente rojo. Todos miraron en mi direcciรณn cuando entrรฉ caminando por el pasillo y me saludaron con una sonrisa, pero mantuve mi rostro estoico, sin mostrar emociรณn alguna. La conversaciรณn de esa maรฑana con Pierce todavรญa estaba en mi cabeza, pero no podรญa permitir que afectara mi trabajo. No podรญa fallar en mi trabajo despuรฉs de haber fracasado en mi matrimonio. De modo que respirรฉ profundamente para recomponerme. Un momento despuรฉs, cuando entrรฉ a la sala de la sesiรณn de fotos, notรฉ que todos estaban sumidos en el caos. --ยกNo podemos! No responde las llamadas. ยฟQuรฉ debemos hacer? La vicepresidente viene hoy, se enojarรก. --Podemos simplemente decirle la verdad. Ella es amable. --ยกNo lo serรก con esta situaciรณn, Lily! Nos va a regaรฑar... --ยฟQuรฉ estรก pasando aquรญ? --preguntรฉ mientras entraba a la sala. De inmediato, el personal me mirรณ con expresiones preocupadas y entonces supe que habรญa un problema. --B-Buenos dรญas, seรฑorita Monroe. Seรฑorita Monroe. Por supuesto, nadie sabรญa que Pierce y yo estรกbamos casados โ€‹โ€‹excepto nuestras familias. Sentรญ como si pellizcaran mi corazรณn con esa verdad. Dolรญa. Rรกpidamente, la mirรฉ sin comprender. --ยฟQuรฉ ocurre? --T-tenemos un problema, seรฑorita Monroe. La seรฑorita Chen, nuestra modelo, no atiende nuestras llamadas. Dijo que escuchรณ que รญbamos a cambiar de modelo asรญ queโ€ฆ no quiere venir. Incluso... amenazรณ con presentar una demanda contra nosotros. Despuรฉs de decir eso, inclinรณ la cabeza. Yo apretรฉ los dientes y recorrรญ el lugar con la mirada. --ยฟDรณnde estรก la directora de marketing? --inquirรญ. --E-Ella todavรญa estรก tratando de convencer a la seรฑorita Chen, seรฑorita Monroe. Luego de escuchar el problema, me masajeรฉ la frente y cerrรฉ los ojos con fuerza. Un segundo despuรฉs, me agarrรฉ del pelo y gritรฉ de ira. Sentรญ que todos a mi alrededor se sobresaltaban sorprendidos. Yo solo suspirรฉ y tomรฉ una gran bocanada de aire antes de mirar a mi alrededor. --Seรฑorita Monroe... --ยฟQuรฉ es todo esto, seรฑorita Hayley? Tรบ eres la directora de marketing, ยฟquรฉ estรก pasando? --Seรฑorita Monroe, no sรฉ cรณmo sucediรณ, pero la seรฑorita Chen escuchรณ que usted cambiarรก de modelo. Estรก a punto de presentar una demanda contra nosotros... ยฟCambiar de modelo? ยฟCรณmo es que yo no sabรญa nada al respecto? La seรฑorita Chen siempre habรญa sido nuestra modelo de confianza y, si no era necesario, cambiar de modelo para una sesiรณn comercial con tan poca antelaciรณn sรณlo causarรญa muchos problemas a la empresa. Nunca permitirรญa un error como este. --Yo no pedรญ eso. Debe ser un error --la interrumpรญ para ahorrar tiempo--. ยกArregla este desastre o tendrรฉ que despedirte! --Seรฑorita Monroe... Fue el presidente quien nos pidiรณ que la cambiรกramos --explicรณ Hayley vacilante--. Lo ordenรณ ayer tan pronto como regresรณ de su viaje de negocios. Aquella verdad me golpeรณ con fuerza. ยฟFue orden de Pierce? ยฟPor quรฉ no me lo dijo? Solรญa โ€‹โ€‹discutir conmigo cada decisiรณn importante antes de tomarla. --No puede ser... --exclamรฉ confundida. Pierce no era un hombre de negocios despistado. Siempre mantuvo una clara distinciรณn entre el trabajo y la vida personal, razรณn por la cual siempre tuvo รฉxito. Y esa fue tambiรฉn la razรณn por la que decidiรณ mantener nuestro matrimonio en secreto. --Sรญ, Kelly. Yo di la orden. --Su voz me hizo retroceder. --S-Seรฑor Presidenteโ€ฆ --saludรณ Hayley y se inclinรณ con respeto al ver al hombre que apareciรณ de repente detrรกs de mรญ. --Pierce, ยกcreo que me debes una explicaciรณn sobre este cambio de modelo! --dije con los dientes apretados mientras me giraba para interrogarlo. ร‰l sabรญa perfectamente cuรกnto esfuerzo puse para ganar este proyecto. Estuve dรญas sin dormir y la seรฑorita Chen era la persona ideal para este trabajo. De hecho, รฉl tambiรฉn estuvo de acuerdo. Pero ahoraโ€ฆ simplemente cambiรณ la modelo a su gusto sin avisarme con antelaciรณn. Eso fue como abofetearme con fuerza en la cara. --Continรบen con el trabajo. Yo se lo aclararรฉ --le indicรณ รฉl al personal para calmarlos, ignorando la ira que estaba a punto de salir de mis ojos. --ยกContรฉstame, Pierce! ยฟPor quรฉ cambias de modelo tan de repente? --No pude contener mi enojo. ร‰l simplemente me tocรณ el hombro y me susurrรณ: --Este no es el lugar para discutir al respecto. Te lo explicarรฉ en el auto. En ese momento, mirรฉ a mi alrededor y notรฉ que los demรกs nos miraban furtivamente. Luego me quitรฉ sus manos de encima y caminรฉ hacia el estacionamiento, pero durante el camino, sentรญa mi corazรณn cada vez mรกs pesado. Tenรญa la sensaciรณn de que su explicaciรณn no iba a gustarme. --Vamos, dรญmelo --exclamรฉ ni bien nos sentamos en su auto. Antes de hablar, me mirรณ a los ojos como si sopesara mis emociones, pero yo apartรฉ la mirada de nuevo. No podรญa soportar sus miradas, no podรญa soportar esos ojos que nunca me miraban como yo querรญa. ร‰l no sentรญa nada por mรญ y eso me dolรญa mucho. --Yo-yoโ€ฆ --hizo una pausa y suspirรณ--. Reemplacรฉ a la seรฑorita Chen porque Lexi quiere ser nuestra modelo. Ella tambiรฉn encaja en el proyecto, asรญ que estuve de acuerdo... --ยฟQuรฉ? --preguntรฉ con incredulidad. De pronto, apretรณ los labios y mirรณ hacia otro lado. Luego se revolviรณ el cabello antes de sacudir la cabeza y tomar mi mano. --Lamento no haberte dicho antes, fue muy repentino. Ella me pidiรณ un favor, no pude decirle que no. Rรกpidamente, retirรฉ mi mano y lo mirรฉ con dolor y enojo. --No pudiste decirle que no, asรญ que preferiste daรฑar a la empresa, a nuestra empresa. Me traicionaste, Pierce. --Kels, vamos. Sabes cuรกnto la amo. Ella es mi primer amor. Al oรญrlo, cerrรฉ los ojos con dolor. ยซOh sรญ, ella es tu primer amor. Siempre la quisiste a ella, sin que te importen los demรกs. Si ella te frunce el ceรฑo un poco, puedes hacer la vista gorda ante el dolor y el esfuerzo de los demรกs. Eres tan cruel, Pierceยป pensรฉ. --Bueno, ya lo has decidido. No tengo voz y voto en esto ya que tรบ eres el presidente. Ahora vete, estarรฉ en la oficina --indiquรฉ con frialdad mientras abrรญa la puerta del auto para salir. --Kellyโ€ฆ En ese instante, lo mirรฉ a los ojos y dije: --Ve a casa temprano. Hablaremos de nuestro divorcio esta noche. Capรญtulo 4 Punto de vista de Kelly--Plantada Me encontraba jugueteando con el anillo de bodas en mi dedo mientras lo esperaba. Le habรญa dicho que volviera temprano a casa, pero todavรญa no regresaba y ni siquiera contestaba mis llamadas. Bueno, ahora que Lexi habรญa vuelto, probablemente ya no veรญa a esta casa como su hogar. De pronto, mis ojos se dirigieron a mi informe de embarazo que estaba sobre la mesa. Quรฉ gracioso. Todavรญa era tan ingenua para albergar un rayo de esperanza de que las cosas podrรญan cambiar si le hablaba del bebรฉ, pero este bebรฉ estaba fuera de sus planes. Me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que se acumulaban en el rabillo de mis ojos y agarrรฉ el informe. Ya eran las cinco de la maรฑana cuando mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Intentรฉ marcar su nรบmero nuevamente, pero seguรญa sin responder. ยฟEn quรฉ estaba tan ocupado? ยฟEstaba h**iendo el a**r con Lexi? Debiรณ haberla extraรฑado mucho, ยฟverdad? Pronto, sin saber cuรกndo, me quedรฉ dormida. Cuando sonรณ el despertador, inconscientemente toquรฉ la almohada a mi lado. Frรญo como anoche, no habรญa vuelto a casa todavรญa. Me burlรฉ de mรญ misma al ver mi reflejo en el espejo de la cรณmoda. Los cรญrculos oscuros bajo mis ojos se veรญan a simple vista y mi cabello era un total desastre, parecรญa un fantasma. De repente una oleada de nรกuseas inundรณ mi estรณmago y me di cuenta de que no habรญa comido nada la noche anterior. De pronto, me sentรญ mal otra vez y rรกpidamente corrรญ hacia el lavabo y vomitรฉ. Escupรญ un lรญquido amarillento que sabรญa muy mal. De inmediato, me lavรฉ la boca y mirรฉ mi propio reflejo en el espejo. Al verme, sacudรญ la cabeza y tomรฉ mi frente en cuanto sentรญ ganas de vomitar de nuevo. Volvรญ a escupir el lรญquido amarillento y mientras me lavaba la boca, sentรญ una cรกlida mano acariciando mi espalda. Inmediatamente levantรฉ la cara y me encontrรฉ con un par de ojos marrones que me miraban a travรฉs del espejo. Detrรกs de mรญ con cara de preocupaciรณn estaba mi esposo Pierce. --ยฟEstรกs bien? ยฟTe sientes mal? Debiste haberme dicho. Al instante, lo mirรฉ a travรฉs del espejo. --No respondiste mis llamadas --contestรฉ. Ante aquellas palabras, la culpa apareciรณ en sus ojos. --Lo lamento. Tenรญa cosas que hacer. Me quedรฉ en la oficina toda la noche --afirmรณ. Rรกpidamente, me limpiรฉ la cara y pasรฉ junto a รฉl. Pierce me siguiรณ mientras me sentaba frente al tocador y comenzaba a peinarme. --Kelsโ€ฆ --Me despertรฉ tarde. No pude preparar el desayuno. Mientras hablaba, intentรฉ evitar sus ojos. Sentรญa que iba a perder los estribos y gritarle. En ningรบn momento sentรญ su egoรญsmo tan claramente como ahora. Decรญa que yo era su mejor amiga, pero nunca le habรญan importado mis necesidades, mis sentimientos. --Kels... sabes que no te preguntรฉ eso. Estoy preocupado por tu salud... Kels, ยฟtodavรญa estamos bien? Ante aquella pregunta, dejรฉ de peinarme y lentamente nuestras miradas se encontraron a travรฉs del espejo, otra vez. ยฟDe verdad me estaba preguntando eso? ยฟDespuรฉs de que me pidiรณ el divorcio sin siquiera preguntarme si estaba de acuerdo? ร‰l decidiรณ por su cuenta sรณlo porque su primer amor habรญa vuelto. No podรญa creer lo que hacรญa. Al final, fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --No me siento bien hoy, Pierce, eso es todo. Un instante despuรฉs, se puso de cuclillas a mi lado, lo cual no me resultรณ sorprendente porque sabรญa que realmente se preocupaba. Pero lo que sรญ me sorprendiรณ fue que hacรญa todo esto despuรฉs de enterrar una daga en mi corazรณn. --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ mientras tocaba suavemente mi frente y mi cuello--. ยฟEstรกs enferma? Dime cรณmo te sientes, Kels. --Mis sentimientos no importan --no pude evitar decir y parecรญa sorprendido por mis palabras. En ese instante, intentรฉ evitarlo, pero me agarrรณ de la muรฑeca y me hizo mirarlo. Su rostro ahora reflejaba su ira. Habรญa perdido completamente la paciencia. --ยฟQuรฉ te pasa, Kels? Has estado actuando asรญ desde ayer. ยฟEs por Lexi? ยฟO porque no volvรญ a casa anoche? --inquiriรณ. Yo lo mirรฉ a los ojos, molesta. --ยกTรบ fuiste quien pidiรณ el divorcio! Te pedรญ que regresaras temprano para hablar al respecto, pero me dejaste esperando toda la noche. ยฟPretendรญas que te diera la bienvenida con brazos abiertos despuรฉs de eso, Pierce? --respondรญ. Al escucharme, apretรณ la mandรญbula y sacudiรณ la cabeza. --Kels, yo... --Ya basta. Hablaremos del divorcio despuรฉs del trabajo. --ยกKels! --me llamรณ y me agarrรณ de los hombros. La confusiรณn y el dolor eran visibles en sus ojos--. ยฟEstรกs... enamorada de mรญ? Aquello me desconcertรณ. ยฟEnamorada? ยกSรญ! Desde que estรกbamos en la escuela secundaria, desde que se convirtiรณ en mi mejor amigo. ยฟQuiรฉn no se enamorarรญa de alguien que te ha estado protegiendo desde entonces? Siempre he estado agradecida de tenerlo como mi mejor amigo y esposo, pero ahoraโ€ฆ lo estaba perdiendo. Perdiรฉndolo irremediablemente. Decidรญ darle a nuestro matrimonio una รบltima oportunidad, hacer un esfuerzo final... ...... ==== Casarse con su mejor amigo fue un sueรฑo hecho realidad para Kelly, pero todo tiene realmente una limitaciรณn. Pierce es el primer amor de Kelly, pero como su mejor amiga, sabรญa bien que siempre habรญa otra mujer en lo profundo de su corazรณn. Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finalmente se dio cuenta de que su feliz matrimonio de los รบltimos tres aรฑos era solo un hermoso sueรฑo cuando Pierce pidiรณ el divorcio solo porque Lexi regresรณ. Ella sรณlo podrรญa ser su mejor amiga incluso si estuviera encinta de su bebรฉ. ยฟPor quรฉ no merecรญa ser amada? ยฟQuรฉ sucederรก en adelante? ยฟCรณmo podrรญa Kelly salvar su corazรณn en esta batalla de amor y odio? Los capรญtulos disponibles son limitados aquรญ, haga click el botรณn abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo mรกs contenidos maravillosos. (Al abrir el APP, directo accederรก a este libro) &3& LEARN_MORE https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spc Fun Novels https://www.facebook.com/61563251196448/ 1,902 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 fbweb.manobook.com VIDEO https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spcp25_2-1030-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=860298072104208&rawadid=120215913689580204 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467633443_1073798387553176_8981472147327503927_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ik_SwaBYPfIQ7kNvgG-q9ll&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=Ahi_ATDpNGmK-5Rc_oJTEM-&oh=00_AYDW009XCOAzdqOJXP_66mlosrv0uJWxGidD-8m9EHKJoQ&oe=6746F4E1 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Fun Novels 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Tener hijo con mi mejor amigo Para ella, casarse con su mejor amigo y quedar embarazada de su hijo fue un sueรฑo hecho realidad. Pero en ese momento feliz, la mujer que amaba su marido regresรณ... ===== ยฟLo habรญa oรญdo bien? ยฟEstoy embarazada? ยกEstoy embarazada de un bebรฉ de Pierce! ยกMi mejor amigo y mi primer amor! --Quรฉ bueno que haya sido cautelosa, pudo haber perdido a su bebรฉ, seรฑorita Monroe --me dijo el ginecรณlogo con seriedad al ver la sorpresa en mis ojos. En ese momento, me toquรฉ el vientre inconscientemente, sin poder creer que hubiera un bebรฉ acostado allรญ. Cuando salรญ del hospital, no podรญa esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebรฉ. Me preguntaba cuรกl serรญa su reacciรณn. ยฟGritarรญa de felicidad? ยฟMe b**arรญa y todo eso? ยกDios! No podรญa contener mi felicidad. Incluso tomรฉ mi cara roja entre mis manos mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentรญ el frรญo del anillo en mi dedo, mi corazรณn que latรญa salvajemente se calmรณ. Casi olvidaba que Pierce no estaba interesado en tener hijos, menos considerando que nuestro matrimonio fue arreglado por su familia. Por supuesto, Pierce era un completo caballero, como amigo y como marido. Cada vez que tenรญamos relaciones s**uales, รฉl era considerado y cauteloso, y decรญa que no era necesario agregar mรกs ataduras si no estรกbamos listos. Este bebรฉ, en cierto modo, estaba fuera de los planes. --Seรฑora, ยฟestรก todo bien? ยฟNecesita que llame al jefe? --preguntรณ mi conductor privado, Luke, preocupado al notar mi ceรฑo fruncido. Luke era confiable como un miembro de la familia, pero no querรญa contarle porque querรญa que Pierce fuera el primero en enterarse de esta noticia. ร‰l era el padre de mi bebรฉ. --No --dije y neguรฉ con la cabeza, dรกndole a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadora--. Estรก en el vuelo. Hablarรฉ con รฉl mรกs tarde --y asรญ verรญa su respuesta yo misma en sus crudas expresiones. Siempre fui buena en eso. Finalmente, cerrรฉ los ojos y recordรฉ el dรญa en que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa a la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante que parecรญa un prรญncipe. Me enamorรฉ de รฉl a primera vista, mucho antes de que nos convirtiรฉramos en mejores amigos. Pero era sรณlo un amor no correspondido y yo lo sabรญa bien. En ese instante, bajรฉ la ventanilla del auto para tomar un poco de aire fresco y, sin quererlo, vislumbrรฉ nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Ese sentimiento amargo llenรณ mi pecho una vez mรกs... Pierce fue mi primer amor, pero yo no era el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo no era mรกs que una nerd aburrida a los ojos de los demรกs, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante mariscal de campo. Todos se sorprendieron de que pudiรฉramos ser amigos. Aunque las hostilidades hacia mรญ aumentaron, disfrutรฉ estar cerca de รฉl y poco a poco me di cuenta de que no querรญa ser sรณlo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesarle mis sentimientos, otra chica llegรณ a su vida. Sacudรญ la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos viejos y tristes recuerdos. Luego toquรฉ el frรญo anillo de bodas en mi dedo y me dije que el pasado ya habรญa pasado. Pierce dijo que habรญan terminado y que ahora yo era su esposa. Sรญ, yo era su esposa y ademรกs estaba embarazada de su bebรฉ. Pronto, me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas de las comisuras de los ojos y abrรญ la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazรณn se calmรณ al respirar el aroma de mi hogar, nuestra casa. Pierce y yo la decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. Sรญ, tal vez estaba pensando demasiado. Esa mujer habรญa estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y los รบltimos tres aรฑos mi matrimonio con Pierce fueron tan hermosos como un cuento de hadas. Una vez dentro, mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Para ese entonces, Pierce ya deberรญa haberse bajado del aviรณn. Estuvo mรกs de un mes en viajes de negocios de nuestra empresa familiar. Pierce era el presidente de ADE, la empresa de revistas de moda lรญder en toda Asia, y yo era la vicepresidente de la compaรฑรญa. No sรณlo รฉramos compaรฑeros de vida, sino tambiรฉn buenos socios en el trabajo. En verdad lo extraรฑaba. De inmediato, marquรฉ su nรบmero, pues tenรญa muchas ganas de escuchar su voz y saber cuรกndo llegarรญa a casa. Le prepararรญa una buena comida y รฉl me premiarรญa con un dulce beso. Y luego podrรญamos... Vaya, en ese momento casi olvidรฉ que estaba embarazada. Debรญa contarle eso primero y luego podrรญamos hacer otra cosa. Estaba imaginando felizmente nuestra encantadora reuniรณn, pero mi corazรณn dio un vuelco cuando una voz de mujer cruzรณ la lรญnea. --ยฟHola? Al escuchar esa sola palabra, dejรฉ caer mi telรฉfono, que se rompiรณ al chocar contra el suelo, y mi cuerpo empezรณ a temblar incontrolablemente. ยกNO! ยกNo podรญa ser ella! ยกNo podรญa ser Lexi! ยกElla ya estaba fuera de nuestras vidas! Debรญ haber escuchado mal. De inmediato, corrรญ hacia la nevera en un intento por calmarme con la ayuda de un poco de al**hol. Pero en el momento en que toquรฉ la botella de v**o, recordรฉ las palabras del mรฉdico sobre mi bebรฉ. Debรญa tener cuidado por la salud de mi bebรฉ, asรญ que solo agarrรฉ una caja de leche y caminรฉ hacia el sofรก. En ese entonces, no sabรญa quรฉ me hizo reconocer esa voz como la de Lexi. Nosotras nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era la tรญpica belleza rubia por la que los hombres se volvรญan locos. Ella era una animadora popular en la escuela secundaria, mientras que Pierce era el mariscal de campo estrella. Encajaba mejor con รฉl que una nerd como yo, ยฟverdad? No me sorprendiรณ que se haya enamorado de ella. Mi orgullo no soportรณ ver al hombre que amaba volverse loco por otra mujer, asรญ que una vez intentรฉ alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negรณ a salirse de mi vida. Cada vez que me ahogaba en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecรญa en mi puerta invitรกndome a salir. No podรญa decirle que no a su sonrisa encantadora y tampoco podรญa decirle que no porque afirmaba que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, ocultรฉ mi corazรณn roto y desempeรฑรฉ en silencio el papel de su mejor amiga, siempre a su lado y observando su rostro feliz por otra chica. Finalmente, cuando supe que Pierce planeaba proponerle matrimonio a Lexi, me armรฉ de valor y fui a estudiar al extranjero, sin saber que su abuela me llamarรญa para rogarme que regresara. Por supuesto, volvรญ a toda prisa sรณlo para ver a Pierce sin vida. Lexi le habรญa herido gravemente el corazรณn y el mรญo sufrรญa por mi amado. Empecรฉ a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le habรญa entregado a mi amado hombre, ยกcรณmo se atreviรณ a hacerle tanto daรฑo! ยกEsa bruja! Pierce no le contรณ a nadie lo que pasรณ, excepto que habรญa terminado con Lexi. Luego, la abuela arreglรณ nuestro matrimonio. No entendรญ por quรฉ estuvo de acuerdo hasta que un dรญa lo escuchรฉ decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi serรญa lo mismo para รฉl. Aquello me doliรณ mucho, pero aun asรญ me casรฉ con รฉl sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi amado estaba destrozado y querรญa recomponerlo, sin importarme si eso me arruinaba a mรญ en el proceso. Me quedรฉ dormida sintiรฉndome muy insegura y preocupada. Me despertรฉ en medio de la noche cuando sentรญ que alguien acariciaba mi mejilla. Lentamente abrรญ los ojos y me di cuenta de que me habรญa quedado dormida en la sala de estar. Alguien me levantรณ del sofรก e inmediatamente reconocรญ su olor y tacto mientras lo miraba con los ojos entrecerrados. --Pierceโ€ฆ --Hmm --murmurรณ mientras caminaba hacia las escaleras--. ยฟPor quรฉ te dormiste en el sofรก? Yo solo me quedรฉ mirรกndolo a la cara y luego me dejรณ suavemente sobre la cama, acariciรณ mi cabello y besรณ mi frente. Siempre fue tan gentil y por eso lo amaba tanto. Llevรกbamos mรกs de un mes separados, mi cuerpo lo extraรฑaba y mi corazรณn lo anhelaba. --ยฟDรณnde estabas? Te estuve esperando --dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. --Acabo de encontrarme con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, ยฟes urgente? Al ver su rostro amable, de repente no quise arruinarle el momento, asรญ que cerrรฉ mis labios entreabiertos y traguรฉ la verdad para devolverla a mi estรณmago. Maรฑana, tal vez maรฑana tendrรญa el coraje de afrontar todos los rompecabezas. De modo que solo sacudรญ la cabeza, hice un puchero y le dije que tenรญa sueรฑo. ร‰l se riรณ entre dientes y me dio un beso de buenas noches, pero en el momento en que estuvo a punto de dejarme, por alguna razรณn entrรฉ en pรกnico. Rรกpidamente lo agarrรฉ y lo b*sรฉ con toda mi pasiรณn... Lo extraรฑaba y lo querรญa. --Espera, Kels --dijo y me detuvo, sujetando mis locas manos sobre la cama--. Pensรฉ que habรญas dicho que tenรญas sueรฑo y que necesitabas descansar. --Sรญ, pero te extraรฑo --exclamรฉ y lo mirรฉ con inocencia. Pude captar el deseo brillando en sus ojos, pero se desvaneciรณ de pronto y yo no comprendรญa por quรฉ. Solรญa โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹ponerse feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. En ese instante, como si notara mi confusiรณn, se riรณ entre dientes y me pellizcรณ juguetonamente la nariz. --Me darรฉ una ducha. Huelo a al**hol --manifestรณ. Yo solo asentรญ y lo mirรฉ mientras caminaba hacia el baรฑo. Pronto la somnolencia volviรณ a atacarme, asรญ que cerrรฉ los ojos para tomar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de maรฑana cuando abrรญ los ojos nuevamente y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja con comida en la mesita de noche. --ยกEy! --lo saludรฉ y sonreรญ cuando me di cuenta de lo que habรญa hecho. Me habรญa preparado el desayuno para llevรกrmelo a la cama. Era tan dulce. ร‰l sonriรณ y se sentรณ en la cama. --Buen dรญa. Le devolvรญ la sonrisa mientras me sentaba en la cama. En ese momento, agarrรณ la bandeja y la puso a mi lado. Al instante, levantรฉ una ceja e inclinรฉ la cabeza mientras miraba su hermoso rostro. Sus cejas espesas y negras enmarcaban sus hermosos ojos de color marrรณn oscuro. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. Parecรญa un chico malo y s*xy, incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzarรญa de estar a su lado. Nadie tenรญa posibilidad alguna contra este hombre. --ยฟQuรฉ es esto? ยฟUn soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo --dije. ร‰l no se riรณ. Exhalรณ un suspiro y colocรณ con suavidad mi cabello detrรกs de mis orejas antes de tomar mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. --Tengo algo que decirte. Al instante, sentรญ que mi corazรณn se aceleraba y pensรฉ en nuestro bebรฉ en mi รบtero. Tenรญa algo que decirme, yo tambiรฉn tenรญa algo que contarle. --ยฟQ-Quรฉ cosa? --preguntรฉ con voz temblorosa. De repente, dio un profundo suspiro y comenzรณ: --Sabes que eres importante para mรญ, ยฟverdad? Asentรญ lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder, tenรญa miedo de lo que estaba a punto de decir. Tenรญa un mal presentimiento. --Eras mi mejor amiga antes de casarnos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoroโ€ฆ --prosiguiรณ. Mientras hablaba, escondรญ mis puรฑos cerrados debajo de la sรกbana. No sabรญa por quรฉ me decรญa todo esto, pero ya podรญa sentir las lรกgrimas acumulรกndose en el rabillo de mis ojos. --Kelly... --hizo una pausa y cerrรณ los ojos con fuerza antes de volver a mirarme a los ojos--. Creo que es hora de que nos divorciemos. --P-Pierceโ€ฆ --exclamรฉ y sentรญ que mi corazรณn se apretaba. ร‰l sonriรณ. --Sรฉ que tรบ tampoco sientes nada por mรญ. Te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos, hiciste esto solo porque los amas. Ahora llegรณ el momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Al oรญrlo, no pude evitar sacudir la cabeza. --ยฟDe quรฉ estรกs hablando, Pierce? --inquirรญ. --Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. Capรญtulo 2 Punto de vista de Kelly--Llueve sobre mojado De inmediato, me levantรฉ de la cama e intentรฉ irme, pero Pierce me agarrรณ la mano. Rรกpidamente me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que rodaban por mis mejillas antes de que รฉl pudiera verlas. Luego, se parรณ frente a mรญ y me mirรณ a la cara mientras yo intentaba con todas mis fuerzas mirar hacia abajo y evitar verlo a los ojos. Sentรญ que mi corazรณn se rompรญa en pedazos. Pensabaโ€ฆ pensaba que podrรญa hacer que se enamorara de mรญ en esos tres aรฑos que pasamos juntos. Pensaba que sus sentimientos cambiarรญan y me verรญa como una mujer en lugar de solo su mejor amiga. Fui estรบpida por tener esperanzas y soรฑar tan alto. Fallรฉ. Sin importar cuรกnto lo intentara, su corazรณn pertenecรญa sรณlo a su primer amor: Lexi. --Kellyโ€ฆ En ese momento, contuve el aliento y me traguรฉ el dolor mientras lo miraba. Luego fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --Debo lavarme las manos antes de comer. Pero รฉl me mirรณ a los ojos como si intentara descubrir lo que estaba pensando. Yo sabรญa que รฉl me conocรญa demasiado bien, asรญ que tratรฉ con todas mis fuerzas de ocultar mi dolor y le sonreรญ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y soltรณ mi mano. --Bueno. Te esperarรฉ aquรญ. Comamos y vayamos a trabajar juntos. ยฟJuntos? ยฟPor quรฉ era tan cruel? ยฟQuerรญa que nos siguiรฉramos llevando bien como si no me hubiera pedido el divorcio? ยฟQuerรญa que nos quedรกramos como estรกbamos justo despuรฉs de decirme que su primer amor habรญa regresado y querรญa divorciarse de mรญ? Oh Pierce, ยฟquรฉ estaba pasando por tu cabeza? Antes podรญa obligarme a mรญ misma a quedarme en el puesto de su mejor amiga mientras le deseaba felicidad, pero ya no tenรญa ese coraje despuรฉs de los tres aรฑos que habรญamos compartido. No habรญa manera de que pudiera soportar esa tortura otra vez, en especial ahora que cargaba a su bebรฉ. El bebรฉ... en un principio pensรฉ que era una buena noticia para nosotros, pero ahora... supongo que serรญa mรกs bien una carga para รฉl. Una carga que le impedirรญa conseguir su verdadero amor y su libertad. Yo sabรญa muy bien cรณmo crecรญa un niรฑo no deseado. Mis padres se divorciaron antes de que mi madre muriera y la nueva familia de mi padre me odiaba, lo que me dolรญa muchรญsimo. Por eso no querรญa que mi bebรฉ experimentara lo mismo que yo sentรญ, asรญ que debรญa mantener a mi bebรฉ alejado de รฉl. --No podemos --dije mientras fingรญa una nueva sonrisa--. Debo visitar el estudio para la sesiรณn de fotos de nuestros nuevos modelosโ€ฆ --Irรฉ contigo. --No --contestรฉ y apartรฉ su mano. Sus ojos siguieron mi mano antes de levantar la cara para mirarme de nuevo--. Tienes documentos que firmar. Nuestros horarios ya estรกn organizados, ยฟrecuerdas? --Peroโ€ฆ --Tengo un conductor personal, Pierce. Estarรฉ bien sola --afirmรฉ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y asintiรณ con calma. En ese momento, le di la espalda y entrรฉ al baรฑo. Inmediatamente abrรญ la ducha y me parรฉ bajo el agua frรญa. Las lรกgrimas cayeron en cascada por mis mejillas mientras me cubrรญa la boca para reprimir los sollozos. Mis hombros temblaban mucho y cuando pensรฉ en mi bebรฉ, traguรฉ saliva y tratรฉ de calmarme. Luego me limpiรฉ la cara y acariciรฉ mi vientre. Debรญa ser fuerte y mantener la calma. No podรญa arriesgar la vida de mi bebรฉ sรณlo porque me habรญan roto el corazรณn. Tenรญa que lidiar con esto de forma inteligente. Unos minutos despuรฉs, tomรฉ un respiro profundo y terminรฉ mi ducha. Cuando salรญ del baรฑo, me sorprendiรณ ver que Pierce todavรญa estaba allรญ. Estaba luchando por arreglarse la corbata frente al espejo de cuerpo entero. Tambiรฉn notรฉ un par de zapatos y un vestido mรญos sobre la cama. --ยกEy! Elegรญ tu vestido para hoy --dijo. Como nuestro matrimonio no era pรบblico, Pierce dijo que harรญa pequeรฑas cosas para mรญ como marido. De hecho, lo habรญa hecho bien y yo solรญa disfrutar de estos dulces momentos que me regalaba, pero ahora sentรญa que eso mismo me m**arรญa. Al segundo siguiente, agarrรฉ el vestido y entrรฉ al vestidor, sentiendo que me seguรญa. Volvรญ a guardar el vestido blanco y elegรญ uno rojo. Cuando me di vuelta y lo tuve de frente, lo vi con la frente arrugada. --Hoy prefiero el rojo. Me sentirรฉ hermosa con este vestido --expliquรฉ con una sonrisa. Al instante, sus ojos se dirigieron al vestido que sostenรญa y su rostro inmediatamente se calmรณ. Al final asintiรณ y caminรณ hacia mรญ. --Ya veo. Pero antes ayรบdame a arreglar esto --me pidiรณ. Sin dudarlo, puse mi vestido en su brazo y comencรฉ a arreglarle la corbata. Podรญa sentir sus ojos mirรกndome intensamente y eso hacรญa que mi corazรณn latiera muy rรกpido. Respirรฉ hondo y me mordรญ el labio inferior mientras luchaba por arreglar su corbata. De pronto, mi visiรณn se volviรณ borrosa otra vez. ยกMaldiciรณn! --Kellyโ€ฆ No pude evitar sobresaltarme en shock. --ยฟMmm? --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ y sonreรญ: --Sรญ. --Tengo algo mรกs que decirte. En ese instante, terminรฉ de arreglarle la corbata y le quitรฉ rรกpidamente el vestido del brazo. Lo mirรฉ antes de pasar junto a รฉl y dije: --Hablaremos despuรฉs. Voy a llegar tarde. Lo escuchรฉ suspirar antes de volver a seguirme. Me vestรญ mientras รฉl estaba detrรกs de mรญ. Estuvo en silencio todo el tiempo, como si estuviera pensando en algo. --Deberรญas desayunar antes de irte --comentรณ. Un segundo despuรฉs, me parรฉ frente a รฉl y asentรญ. --Lo harรฉ. Deberรญas irte ahora --respondรญ. --Kelly, estamos en la misma pรกgina, ยฟverdad? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ fijamente. No, Pierce. Nunca estuvimos en la misma pรกgina. Sรณlo fueron mis estรบpidas fantasรญas. Pensaba que sentรญas algo por mรญ, pero estaba muy equivocada. --Si hablas del divorcio, lo entiendo, Pierce. Sรฉ lo que tengo que hacer. Sรณlo dame algo de tiempo porque estoy muy ocupada con la empresa. No huirรฉ. --Kelly, no estoy haciendo esto sรณlo por mรญ. Tambiรฉn lo hago por ti. Has estado encerrada conmigo desde que nos casamos. Sรฉ que no eres feliz porque en el fondo tambiรฉn quieres encontrar al hombre que te mereces. Alguien que realmente te ame, no yo. No alguien indiferente. --Entiendo lo que tratas de decir, Pierce --dije y tratรฉ de darle la espalda, pero antes de poder hacerlo, รฉl me sujetรณ por la cintura y me mantuvo en el lugar. Luego hizo todo lo posible para captar mis ojos hasta que lo consiguiรณ. Su mirada era de preocupaciรณn. --Eres mi mejor amiga. No quiero perderte, Kels. Eres una de las pocas personasโ€ฆ --Lo sรฉ --lo interrumpรญ con frustraciรณn. Parecรญa sorprendido, asรญ que me calmรฉ--. Ya lo sรฉ. No tienes que preocuparte. Simplemente estoy estresada por el trabajo, no es por el divorcio. En ese instante, sus labios se separaron, asintiรณ lentamente y soltรณ un suspiro. Luego, caminรณ hacia mรญ y me congelรฉ cuando besรณ mi frente con dulzuraโ€ฆ --Gracias, Kelly --susurrรณ. Al oรญrlo, mi corazรณn se apretรณ. Habรญan pasado tres aรฑos pero todavรญa era una cobarde. ยซยฟPor quรฉ no puedes simplemente decirle que lo amas, Kelly? ยกร‰l es tu esposo y estรกs llevando su bebรฉ! ยกDรญselo y tal vez cambie de opiniรณn!ยป pensรฉ. Con eso en mente, traguรฉ saliva y estuve a punto de decรญrselo, pero justo en ese momento su telรฉfono sonรณ. Pude ver el identificador de llamadas. Era Lexi. --Me tengo que ir --afirmรณ y se rascรณ la cabeza a modo de disculpa, mientras las comisuras de su boca se curvaban hacia arriba--. Llamรฉ a Luke. Te espera afuera. Come antes de irte, ยฟsรญ? Con eso, saliรณ de nuestra habitaciรณn. De repente, las lรกgrimas que habรญa logrado reprimir hasta ese momento volvieron a brotar. ยฟPor quรฉ habรญa pensado que podrรญa tener una oportunidad? ร‰l tomรณ su decisiรณn en el momento en que me pidiรณ el divorcio, ยฟverdad? Siempre que se trataba de Lexi me abandonaba. Capรญtulo 3 Punto de vista de Kelly--Mantener la compostura Entrรฉ al estudio con tacones rojos de cinco centรญmetros y un vestido igualmente rojo. Todos miraron en mi direcciรณn cuando entrรฉ caminando por el pasillo y me saludaron con una sonrisa, pero mantuve mi rostro estoico, sin mostrar emociรณn alguna. La conversaciรณn de esa maรฑana con Pierce todavรญa estaba en mi cabeza, pero no podรญa permitir que afectara mi trabajo. No podรญa fallar en mi trabajo despuรฉs de haber fracasado en mi matrimonio. De modo que respirรฉ profundamente para recomponerme. Un momento despuรฉs, cuando entrรฉ a la sala de la sesiรณn de fotos, notรฉ que todos estaban sumidos en el caos. --ยกNo podemos! No responde las llamadas. ยฟQuรฉ debemos hacer? La vicepresidente viene hoy, se enojarรก. --Podemos simplemente decirle la verdad. Ella es amable. --ยกNo lo serรก con esta situaciรณn, Lily! Nos va a regaรฑar... --ยฟQuรฉ estรก pasando aquรญ? --preguntรฉ mientras entraba a la sala. De inmediato, el personal me mirรณ con expresiones preocupadas y entonces supe que habรญa un problema. --B-Buenos dรญas, seรฑorita Monroe. Seรฑorita Monroe. Por supuesto, nadie sabรญa que Pierce y yo estรกbamos casados โ€‹โ€‹excepto nuestras familias. Sentรญ como si pellizcaran mi corazรณn con esa verdad. Dolรญa. Rรกpidamente, la mirรฉ sin comprender. --ยฟQuรฉ ocurre? --T-tenemos un problema, seรฑorita Monroe. La seรฑorita Chen, nuestra modelo, no atiende nuestras llamadas. Dijo que escuchรณ que รญbamos a cambiar de modelo asรญ queโ€ฆ no quiere venir. Incluso... amenazรณ con presentar una demanda contra nosotros. Despuรฉs de decir eso, inclinรณ la cabeza. Yo apretรฉ los dientes y recorrรญ el lugar con la mirada. --ยฟDรณnde estรก la directora de marketing? --inquirรญ. --E-Ella todavรญa estรก tratando de convencer a la seรฑorita Chen, seรฑorita Monroe. Luego de escuchar el problema, me masajeรฉ la frente y cerrรฉ los ojos con fuerza. Un segundo despuรฉs, me agarrรฉ del pelo y gritรฉ de ira. Sentรญ que todos a mi alrededor se sobresaltaban sorprendidos. Yo solo suspirรฉ y tomรฉ una gran bocanada de aire antes de mirar a mi alrededor. --Seรฑorita Monroe... --ยฟQuรฉ es todo esto, seรฑorita Hayley? Tรบ eres la directora de marketing, ยฟquรฉ estรก pasando? --Seรฑorita Monroe, no sรฉ cรณmo sucediรณ, pero la seรฑorita Chen escuchรณ que usted cambiarรก de modelo. Estรก a punto de presentar una demanda contra nosotros... ยฟCambiar de modelo? ยฟCรณmo es que yo no sabรญa nada al respecto? La seรฑorita Chen siempre habรญa sido nuestra modelo de confianza y, si no era necesario, cambiar de modelo para una sesiรณn comercial con tan poca antelaciรณn sรณlo causarรญa muchos problemas a la empresa. Nunca permitirรญa un error como este. --Yo no pedรญ eso. Debe ser un error --la interrumpรญ para ahorrar tiempo--. ยกArregla este desastre o tendrรฉ que despedirte! --Seรฑorita Monroe... Fue el presidente quien nos pidiรณ que la cambiรกramos --explicรณ Hayley vacilante--. Lo ordenรณ ayer tan pronto como regresรณ de su viaje de negocios. Aquella verdad me golpeรณ con fuerza. ยฟFue orden de Pierce? ยฟPor quรฉ no me lo dijo? Solรญa โ€‹โ€‹discutir conmigo cada decisiรณn importante antes de tomarla. --No puede ser... --exclamรฉ confundida. Pierce no era un hombre de negocios despistado. Siempre mantuvo una clara distinciรณn entre el trabajo y la vida personal, razรณn por la cual siempre tuvo รฉxito. Y esa fue tambiรฉn la razรณn por la que decidiรณ mantener nuestro matrimonio en secreto. --Sรญ, Kelly. Yo di la orden. --Su voz me hizo retroceder. --S-Seรฑor Presidenteโ€ฆ --saludรณ Hayley y se inclinรณ con respeto al ver al hombre que apareciรณ de repente detrรกs de mรญ. --Pierce, ยกcreo que me debes una explicaciรณn sobre este cambio de modelo! --dije con los dientes apretados mientras me giraba para interrogarlo. ร‰l sabรญa perfectamente cuรกnto esfuerzo puse para ganar este proyecto. Estuve dรญas sin dormir y la seรฑorita Chen era la persona ideal para este trabajo. De hecho, รฉl tambiรฉn estuvo de acuerdo. Pero ahoraโ€ฆ simplemente cambiรณ la modelo a su gusto sin avisarme con antelaciรณn. Eso fue como abofetearme con fuerza en la cara. --Continรบen con el trabajo. Yo se lo aclararรฉ --le indicรณ รฉl al personal para calmarlos, ignorando la ira que estaba a punto de salir de mis ojos. --ยกContรฉstame, Pierce! ยฟPor quรฉ cambias de modelo tan de repente? --No pude contener mi enojo. ร‰l simplemente me tocรณ el hombro y me susurrรณ: --Este no es el lugar para discutir al respecto. Te lo explicarรฉ en el auto. En ese momento, mirรฉ a mi alrededor y notรฉ que los demรกs nos miraban furtivamente. Luego me quitรฉ sus manos de encima y caminรฉ hacia el estacionamiento, pero durante el camino, sentรญa mi corazรณn cada vez mรกs pesado. Tenรญa la sensaciรณn de que su explicaciรณn no iba a gustarme. --Vamos, dรญmelo --exclamรฉ ni bien nos sentamos en su auto. Antes de hablar, me mirรณ a los ojos como si sopesara mis emociones, pero yo apartรฉ la mirada de nuevo. No podรญa soportar sus miradas, no podรญa soportar esos ojos que nunca me miraban como yo querรญa. ร‰l no sentรญa nada por mรญ y eso me dolรญa mucho. --Yo-yoโ€ฆ --hizo una pausa y suspirรณ--. Reemplacรฉ a la seรฑorita Chen porque Lexi quiere ser nuestra modelo. Ella tambiรฉn encaja en el proyecto, asรญ que estuve de acuerdo... --ยฟQuรฉ? --preguntรฉ con incredulidad. De pronto, apretรณ los labios y mirรณ hacia otro lado. Luego se revolviรณ el cabello antes de sacudir la cabeza y tomar mi mano. --Lamento no haberte dicho antes, fue muy repentino. Ella me pidiรณ un favor, no pude decirle que no. Rรกpidamente, retirรฉ mi mano y lo mirรฉ con dolor y enojo. --No pudiste decirle que no, asรญ que preferiste daรฑar a la empresa, a nuestra empresa. Me traicionaste, Pierce. --Kels, vamos. Sabes cuรกnto la amo. Ella es mi primer amor. Al oรญrlo, cerrรฉ los ojos con dolor. ยซOh sรญ, ella es tu primer amor. Siempre la quisiste a ella, sin que te importen los demรกs. Si ella te frunce el ceรฑo un poco, puedes hacer la vista gorda ante el dolor y el esfuerzo de los demรกs. Eres tan cruel, Pierceยป pensรฉ. --Bueno, ya lo has decidido. No tengo voz y voto en esto ya que tรบ eres el presidente. Ahora vete, estarรฉ en la oficina --indiquรฉ con frialdad mientras abrรญa la puerta del auto para salir. --Kellyโ€ฆ En ese instante, lo mirรฉ a los ojos y dije: --Ve a casa temprano. Hablaremos de nuestro divorcio esta noche. Capรญtulo 4 Punto de vista de Kelly--Plantada Me encontraba jugueteando con el anillo de bodas en mi dedo mientras lo esperaba. Le habรญa dicho que volviera temprano a casa, pero todavรญa no regresaba y ni siquiera contestaba mis llamadas. Bueno, ahora que Lexi habรญa vuelto, probablemente ya no veรญa a esta casa como su hogar. De pronto, mis ojos se dirigieron a mi informe de embarazo que estaba sobre la mesa. Quรฉ gracioso. Todavรญa era tan ingenua para albergar un rayo de esperanza de que las cosas podrรญan cambiar si le hablaba del bebรฉ, pero este bebรฉ estaba fuera de sus planes. Me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que se acumulaban en el rabillo de mis ojos y agarrรฉ el informe. Ya eran las cinco de la maรฑana cuando mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Intentรฉ marcar su nรบmero nuevamente, pero seguรญa sin responder. ยฟEn quรฉ estaba tan ocupado? ยฟEstaba h**iendo el a**r con Lexi? Debiรณ haberla extraรฑado mucho, ยฟverdad? Pronto, sin saber cuรกndo, me quedรฉ dormida. Cuando sonรณ el despertador, inconscientemente toquรฉ la almohada a mi lado. Frรญo como anoche, no habรญa vuelto a casa todavรญa. Me burlรฉ de mรญ misma al ver mi reflejo en el espejo de la cรณmoda. Los cรญrculos oscuros bajo mis ojos se veรญan a simple vista y mi cabello era un total desastre, parecรญa un fantasma. De repente una oleada de nรกuseas inundรณ mi estรณmago y me di cuenta de que no habรญa comido nada la noche anterior. De pronto, me sentรญ mal otra vez y rรกpidamente corrรญ hacia el lavabo y vomitรฉ. Escupรญ un lรญquido amarillento que sabรญa muy mal. De inmediato, me lavรฉ la boca y mirรฉ mi propio reflejo en el espejo. Al verme, sacudรญ la cabeza y tomรฉ mi frente en cuanto sentรญ ganas de vomitar de nuevo. Volvรญ a escupir el lรญquido amarillento y mientras me lavaba la boca, sentรญ una cรกlida mano acariciando mi espalda. Inmediatamente levantรฉ la cara y me encontrรฉ con un par de ojos marrones que me miraban a travรฉs del espejo. Detrรกs de mรญ con cara de preocupaciรณn estaba mi esposo Pierce. --ยฟEstรกs bien? ยฟTe sientes mal? Debiste haberme dicho. Al instante, lo mirรฉ a travรฉs del espejo. --No respondiste mis llamadas --contestรฉ. Ante aquellas palabras, la culpa apareciรณ en sus ojos. --Lo lamento. Tenรญa cosas que hacer. Me quedรฉ en la oficina toda la noche --afirmรณ. Rรกpidamente, me limpiรฉ la cara y pasรฉ junto a รฉl. Pierce me siguiรณ mientras me sentaba frente al tocador y comenzaba a peinarme. --Kelsโ€ฆ --Me despertรฉ tarde. No pude preparar el desayuno. Mientras hablaba, intentรฉ evitar sus ojos. Sentรญa que iba a perder los estribos y gritarle. En ningรบn momento sentรญ su egoรญsmo tan claramente como ahora. Decรญa que yo era su mejor amiga, pero nunca le habรญan importado mis necesidades, mis sentimientos. --Kels... sabes que no te preguntรฉ eso. Estoy preocupado por tu salud... Kels, ยฟtodavรญa estamos bien? Ante aquella pregunta, dejรฉ de peinarme y lentamente nuestras miradas se encontraron a travรฉs del espejo, otra vez. ยฟDe verdad me estaba preguntando eso? ยฟDespuรฉs de que me pidiรณ el divorcio sin siquiera preguntarme si estaba de acuerdo? ร‰l decidiรณ por su cuenta sรณlo porque su primer amor habรญa vuelto. No podรญa creer lo que hacรญa. Al final, fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --No me siento bien hoy, Pierce, eso es todo. Un instante despuรฉs, se puso de cuclillas a mi lado, lo cual no me resultรณ sorprendente porque sabรญa que realmente se preocupaba. Pero lo que sรญ me sorprendiรณ fue que hacรญa todo esto despuรฉs de enterrar una daga en mi corazรณn. --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ mientras tocaba suavemente mi frente y mi cuello--. ยฟEstรกs enferma? Dime cรณmo te sientes, Kels. --Mis sentimientos no importan --no pude evitar decir y parecรญa sorprendido por mis palabras. En ese instante, intentรฉ evitarlo, pero me agarrรณ de la muรฑeca y me hizo mirarlo. Su rostro ahora reflejaba su ira. Habรญa perdido completamente la paciencia. --ยฟQuรฉ te pasa, Kels? Has estado actuando asรญ desde ayer. ยฟEs por Lexi? ยฟO porque no volvรญ a casa anoche? --inquiriรณ. Yo lo mirรฉ a los ojos, molesta. --ยกTรบ fuiste quien pidiรณ el divorcio! Te pedรญ que regresaras temprano para hablar al respecto, pero me dejaste esperando toda la noche. ยฟPretendรญas que te diera la bienvenida con brazos abiertos despuรฉs de eso, Pierce? --respondรญ. Al escucharme, apretรณ la mandรญbula y sacudiรณ la cabeza. --Kels, yo... --Ya basta. Hablaremos del divorcio despuรฉs del trabajo. --ยกKels! --me llamรณ y me agarrรณ de los hombros. La confusiรณn y el dolor eran visibles en sus ojos--. ยฟEstรกs... enamorada de mรญ? Aquello me desconcertรณ. ยฟEnamorada? ยกSรญ! Desde que estรกbamos en la escuela secundaria, desde que se convirtiรณ en mi mejor amigo. ยฟQuiรฉn no se enamorarรญa de alguien que te ha estado protegiendo desde entonces? Siempre he estado agradecida de tenerlo como mi mejor amigo y esposo, pero ahoraโ€ฆ lo estaba perdiendo. Perdiรฉndolo irremediablemente. Decidรญ darle a nuestro matrimonio una รบltima oportunidad, hacer un esfuerzo final... ...... ==== Casarse con su mejor amigo fue un sueรฑo hecho realidad para Kelly, pero todo tiene realmente una limitaciรณn. Pierce es el primer amor de Kelly, pero como su mejor amiga, sabรญa bien que siempre habรญa otra mujer en lo profundo de su corazรณn. Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finalmente se dio cuenta de que su feliz matrimonio de los รบltimos tres aรฑos era solo un hermoso sueรฑo cuando Pierce pidiรณ el divorcio solo porque Lexi regresรณ. Ella sรณlo podrรญa ser su mejor amiga incluso si estuviera encinta de su bebรฉ. ยฟPor quรฉ no merecรญa ser amada? ยฟQuรฉ sucederรก en adelante? ยฟCรณmo podrรญa Kelly salvar su corazรณn en esta batalla de amor y odio? 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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Read next chapter For her, marrying her best friend and carrying his child was a dream come true. However, just at this joyful moment, the man's beloved returned... ===== "It's a good thing you're cautious. You could've lost your baby, Miss Monroe," the GYN told me seriously as she could see the shock in my eyes. Had I heard it right? I was pregnant? I was pregnant with a baby for Pierce--my best friend and my first crush! On the way out of the hospital, I couldn't wait to tell Pierce about our baby. I wondered what his reaction would be. Would he scream in happiness? God! I couldn't contain my happiness. I cupped my flushed face as I fantasized, but the moment I felt the cold of the simple ring on my finger, my wildly beating heart calmed down. I almost forgot that Pierce wasn't the type to be keen on having children, especially since our marriage was arranged by his family. Pierce was a complete gentleman, both as a friend and a husband. Every time we did intimate thing, he was considerate yet cautious, saying there was no need to add extra shackles when we weren't ready. This baby, in a way, was out of the plan. "Ma'am, is everything okay? Do you need to call the boss?" my private driver, Luke, asked worriedly as he noticed my frown. Luke was reliable, like family, but if I chose to share, I still wanted Pierce to be the first to know this news. He was my baby's father. "No," I shook my head, giving Luke a reassuring smile. "He's on a flight. I'll talk to him later myself." I wanted to sense his answer directly from his raw expressions. I was always good at that. I closed my eyes, recalling the first day we met. His bright smile in the sunlight was so dazzling; he was a Prince. Long before we became best friends, I fell in love with him at first sight. But it was only unrequited love; I knew that well. I slid down the car window to get some fresh air but accidentally caught a glimpse of our old high school. That bitter feeling filled my chest once again. Pierce was my first love, but I wasn't his. In high school, I was just a boring nerd in others' eyes while Pierce Anderson was the shining quarterback. Everyone was surprised that we could be friends. Though envy arose, I enjoyed being around him. I slowly realized that I didn't just want to be his friend. However, right when I was about to confess my feelings to him, another girl came into his life. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of those sad memories. I gripped the cold wedding ring on my finger, telling myself the past was the past. Pierce said they were over, and I was his wife now. I was his wife who was carrying his baby. I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and opened the door to our house. My heart calmed as I breathed in the scent of home. Our home. Pierce and I decorated it together with our own hands. We enjoyed it. Yes, I must have been overthinking. That woman had been out of our lives for a long time, and my marriage with Pierce had been as beautiful as a fairy tale for the past three years. I glanced at the clock on the wall. At this point, Pierce should have gotten off the plane. He had been traveling for over a month for the sake of our family's business. Pierce was the President of ADE, the leading fashion magazine company in Asia, and I was actually the Vice President. We were not only life partners but also good partners at work. I really missed him. I dialed his number immediately. I wanted to hear his voice now, to know when he would arrive home. I would prepare a good meal for him, and he would reward me with a sweet k*ss. Then we might do intimate thing... Oops, I almost forgot I was pregnant now. I needed to tell him this first before we could do anything else. I was happily envisioning our lovely reunion when my heart dropped as a woman's voice came over the line. [Hello?] I snapped the phone as just one word came out. My phone fell to the floor, and my body started shaking uncontrollably. NO! It couldn't be her! It couldn't be Lexi! She was already out of our lives! I must have misheard. I rushed to the fridge, attempting to calm myself with some al**hol. But the moment I was reminded of the doctor's words and my baby. I needed to be cautious for my baby's sake. I turned to grab a box of milk and walked toward the sofa. I didn't know what made me recognize that as Lexi's voice at that moment. I meant Lexi and I were never close. Lexi Gilbert was a typical blonde beauty that men would go crazy for. She was the popular cheerleader in high school while Pierce was the star quarterback. A better match than he and a nerd like me, right? It wasn't surprising that he had fallen for her. My pride couldn't stand watching the man I loved go crazy for another woman. So I had once tried to stay away from them silently, but Pierce refused to quit my life. Every time I drowned myself in a sea of books and studies to forget them, Pierce would appear at my doorstep asking me out. I couldn't say no to his charming smile; I couldn't refuse when he claimed it was his duty as my best friend to take me out to enjoy the real world. To avoid ruining our friendship, I could only hide my broken heart, silently playing the role of his best friend while watching his happy face as he pursued another girl. I finally mustered the courage to study abroad when I learned that Pierce was planning to propose to Lexi. However, I never expected Grams would call to beg me to return. I hurried back only to see a lifeless Pierce. His heart was shattered, thanks to Lexi. My beloved sunshine boy was nowhere to be seen, and my heart b*ed for him. I started to hate Lexi from that moment. I gave up my cherished man for her, and how dared she harm him so badly! Pierce didn't tell anyone what happened except that he was done with Lexi. Grams arranged our marriage. I didn't understand why he agreed until the day I heard him say that marrying anyone but Lexi would be the same for him. It hurt like hell, but I still walked into this marriage without a second thought. My cherished boy was broken, and I wanted to fix him, not caring if I ruined myself in the process. I fell asleep at home, feeling insecure and worried. I woke up in the middle of the night when I felt someone caressing my cheek. Slowly, I opened my eyes and realized I had fallen asleep in the living room. Someone lifted me from the couch. I immediately recognized his scent and touch as I looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes. "Pierce..." "Hmm," he hummed as he walked toward the stairs. "Why did you sleep on the couch?" I stared at his face as he gently placed me down on the bed. He caressed my hair and k*ssed my forehead. He was always so gentle, and that was why I loved him so much. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you," I said as I caressed his cheek. "Just met a friend. You said you were waiting for me; is it something urgent?" Looking at his gentle face, I suddenly didn't want to ruin the moment, so I closed my parted lips and swallowed the truth back down. Tomorrow, maybe tomorrow, I would have the courage to face all the puzzles. I shook my head and pouted, signaling that I was sleepy. He chuckled and carefully carried me to the bed. Just as he was about to leave me after giving me a goodnight k*ss, I panicked for some reason. I quickly grabbed him... I missed him. I wanted him. "Wait, Kels," he said, stopping me by pinning my hands to the bed. "I thought you said you were sleepy and needed to rest." "But I think I miss you more now." I looked at him with innocence and caught the d**ire flashing in his eyes, but I didn't know why it faded so quickly. He used to be happy when I took the initiative. As if noticing my confusion, he chuckled and playfully pinched my nose. "I'll just take a shower." I nodded and watched him as he walked toward the bathroom. But drowsiness struck again, so I closed my eyes to take a nap. However, it was already morning when I opened my eyes again, and Pierce was beside me, putting a tray of food on the bedside table. "Hey!" I greeted, smiling when I realized what he'd done. He had prepared breakfast for me. In bed. The sweetest. He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. "Good morning." I grinned as I sat up. He carried the tray and put it beside me. I shot an eyebrow up, tilting my head as I stared at his handsome face. His deep brown eyes and thick, black eyebrows complemented his striking features. "What is this? Is this a bribe? You stood me up last night, bad boy." He didn't laugh. Instead, he heaved a sigh, gently tucking my hair behind my ear before taking my hand and staring into my eyes. "I have something to tell you." My heart raced. I thought about our baby. He had something to say, and I did too. "W-What is it?" I asked, feeling my voice tremble. He took a deep breath. "You know you're important to me, right?" I slowly nodded, my lips parted. I couldn't speak; I was scared of what he was about to say. I had a bad feeling about this. "You were my best friend before we got married. You're one of the few people I treasure..." I hid my clenched fists under the sheets. I didn't understand why he was telling me this, but I felt tears pooling in the corner of my eyes already. "Kelly..." He paused, squeezing his eyes shut before looking into mine again. "I-I think it's time for us to divorce." "P-Pierce..." My heart clenched. He smiled sadly. "I know you don't have feelings for me either. You only married me because of my grandparents. You just did this because you love them. Now it's time for our real happiness, Kelly." I shook my head. "W-What are you talking about, Pierce?" "Lexi is back, Kelly. My first love is back." Chapter 2 Kelly's POV--It Never Rains but It Pours I got off the bed and tried to leave, but Pierce grabbed my hand. I quickly wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks before he could see them. He stood in front of me, searching my face as I struggled to look down and avoid his gaze. My heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. I thought... I thought I could make him fall in love with me during those three years together. I believed his feelings would deepen, that he would see me as a woman rather than just a best friend. I was foolish to hope and dream so high. I had failed. No matter how hard I tried, his heart belonged only to his first love, Lexi. "Kelly..." I sucked in a breath and swallowed the pain as I looked at him. I forced a smile. "I need to wash up before eating." He stared into my eyes, trying to figure out what I was thinking. I knew he understood me too well, so I made a concerted effort to hide my pain and smiled back at him. He sighed and let go of my hand. "Okay. I'll wait for you here. Let's eat and go to work together." Together? How cruel could he be? He still wanted us to get along as if he hadn't just asked for a divorce? He wanted us to stay the same right after telling me that his first love was back and he wanted to divorce me? Oh, Pierce, what's going on in your head? If I used to be able to force myself to remain in the role of his best friend, wishing him happiness, I no longer had that courage after the three years we'd shared. There was no way I could endure that kind of torture again, especially now that I was carrying his baby. The baby... I had thought it was good news for us, but now... it felt more like a burden to him, I guess. A burden that would prevent him from pursuing his true love and freedom. I knew how an unwanted child could grow up. My parents divorced even before my mother died, and my father's new family hated me. It hurt like hell. I didn't want my baby to experience that same pain. I needed to keep my child away from it. I forced another smile. "We can't. I need to visit the studio for the photoshoot of our new models..." "I'll go with you--" "No." I pushed his hand away. His eyes followed my hand before he looked up at me again. "You have some documents to sign. Our schedules are already organized, remember?" "But..." "I have a personal driver, Pierce. I'll be fine going alone." He sighed and slowly nodded. I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom. I immediately opened the shower and stood under the cold water. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I covered my mouth to suppress my sobs. My shoulders trembled violently, and when I thought about my baby, I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself down. I wiped my face and caressed my belly. I needed to be strong. I had to stay calm. I shouldn't put my baby's life at risk just because I got my heart broken. I had to handle this wisely. I took a deep breath and finished my shower. When I got out of the bathroom, I was shocked to see Pierce still there. He was struggling to fix his tie in front of the full-length mirror. I also noticed my pair of heels and dress on the bed. "Hey! I picked your dress for today." Since our marriage wasn't public, Pierce had said he would try to do little things for me as a husband. He did it well, and I used to enjoy these sweet moments, but now, they felt like d**gers to my heart. I grabbed the dress and went into the walk-in closet. I felt him following me. I put the white dress back and picked a red one. When I turned to face him, his forehead was creased. "I prefer red today. I'd feel beautiful in this dress." His eyes landed on the dress I was holding, and his face immediately relaxed. He nodded and walked toward me. "I see. Help me fix this first." I placed my dress on his arm and started adjusting his tie. I could feel his eyes staring intently and it was making my heart beat so fast. I took a deep breath and chewed my bottom lip as I struggled to fix the tie. My vision started to blur again. D**n! "Kelly..." I jumped in shock. "Hmm?" "Are you okay?" I looked at him and smiled. "Yeah." "I have something else to say." I finished fixing his tie, then immediately grabbed the dress from him. I glanced at him before walking past him and said, "Let's just talk some other time. I'm going to be late." I heard him sigh as he followed me again. He's silent the whole time as if he's thinking about something. "You should eat before you leave." I turned to him and nodded. "I will. You should go now." "Kelly, we're on the same page, right?" I stared at him. No, Pierce. We're never on the same page. All of this was just my stupid fantasy. I thought you had feelings for me, and I was so wrong. "If it's about the divorce, I understand everything, Pierce. I know what I have to do. Just give me some time because I'm really busy with the company. I won't run away." "Kelly, I'm not just doing this for myself. I'm doing this for you too. You've been caged with me ever since we got married. I know you're not happy because deep down, you want to find the man you deserve. Someone who will truly love you. Not me. Not someone who's half-hearted." "I understand what you're trying to say, Pierce," I said, trying to turn away, but he held me by the waist, keeping me in place. He did everything he could to capture my gaze, and he succeeded. He looked at me worriedly. "You are my best friend. I don't want to lose you, Kels. You're one of the few people I..." "I know," I said out of frustration. He looked shocked, so I took a breath to calm myself. "I-I know. You don't have to worry. I'm just stressed about work. It's not about our divorce." His lips parted, and he slowly nodded, as if he could finally breathe properly. He walked toward me, and I froze when he gently k*ssed my forehead... "Thank you, Kelly," he whispered. My heart clenched. It had been three years, but I was still such a coward. Why couldn't I just tell him that I loved him? He's my husband, and I'm carrying his baby! If I told him, he might change his mind! I swallowed hard, ready to speak, but his phone rang. I didn't miss the caller ID. Again, it was Lexi. "I gotta go." He scratched his head in apology, and I didn't miss the upturned corners of his mouth. "I called Luke, and he's waiting outside. Eat before you go, okay?" With that, he left our room. The tears I had managed to hold back burst forth again. Why did I think I could have a chance? He had made his choice the moment he asked for a divorce, hadn't he? Whenever it came to Lexi, I was always the one he would abandon. Chapter 3 Kelly's POV--Stiff Upper Lip I entered the studio wearing two-inch red heels and a red dress. Everyone turned to look as I walked down the hallway, greeting me with smiles, but my face remained stoic, not showing any emotions at all. The conversation with Pierce this morning lingered in my mind, but I couldn't let it affect my work. I couldn't fail my work after I had failed my marriage. I took a deep breath to steady myself. However, when I entered the photoshoot room, I could notice everyone was in chaos. "We can't! She's not answering her calls. What should we do? The Vice President is coming today. She'll be furious." "We can just tell her the truth. She's nice." "Not in this situation, Lily! She'll scold us--" "What's happening here?" I asked, stepping further into the room. The staff turned to me with worried expressions, and I knew then that something was wrong. "G-Good morning, Miss Monroe." Miss Monroe. Of course, no one knew that Pierce and I were married except for our families. I felt a pinch in my heart because of that truth. It hurt. I stared at her blankly, "What? "W-We have a problem, Miss Monroe. Miss Chen, our model, has been refusing our calls. She said she heard that we're changing the model, so...she doesn't want to come here. She's even threatening to file a case against us." She bowed her head, and I gritted my teeth, scanning the room. "Where's the marketing manager?" "S-She's still trying to convince Miss Chen, Miss Monroe." I massaged my forehead, squeezing my eyes closed. I grabbed my hair and screamed in so much anger, causing everyone around me to jump in shock. I g**aned, sucking in a breath before looking around. "Miss Monroe..." "What is this, Miss Hayley? You're the marketing manager. What's happening?" "Miss Monroe, I don't know how it happened, but Miss Chen heard that you're changing our model. She's about to file a case against us--" Changing the model? How had I not known about this? Miss Chen had always been a trusted partner, and if not necessary, changing models for a commercial shoot on short notice would only create chaos for the company. I would never allow such a costly mistake. "I never asked for that. You must be mistaken." I cut her off to save the time, "Fix this mess, or I'll have to fire you!" "Miss Monroe... It's Mr. President who ordered the change." Hayley spoke hesitantly. "He instructed us as soon as he returned from his business trip yesterday." The truth hit me hard. Pierce's order? Why hadn't he told me? He used to discuss every major decision with me first. "It shouldn't be..." Confusion clouded my mind. Pierce was not a clueless businessman; he maintained a clear distinction between work and personal matters, which was why he always succeeded. And that was also why he chose to keep our marriage a secret. "Yes, Kelly. I gave the order." The voice pulled me back. "M-Mr. President..." Hayley bowed in respect as the man suddenly appeared behind me. "I think you owe me an explanation, Pierce. About changing the model!" I snapped as I turned to face him. He knew how much effort I had put into securing this project. I hadn't slept well for days, and Miss Chen was the perfect fit for us. He had agreed too. But now... he just changed the model as he liked without informing me in advance. It felt like a hard s**p in the face. "Go ahead with the work. I'll explain it to her." He pacified the staff first, ignoring the anger simmering in my eyes. "Answer me, Pierce! Why did you change the model so suddenly?" I couldn't contain my fury. He touched my shoulder and whispered, "This isn't the place to talk. Let me explain in the car." I glanced around, noticing others sneaking glances at us. I shook off his hand and walked toward the parking lot, my heart growing heavier with each step. I had a sinking feeling I wouldn't like his explanation. "Now, say it," I blurted once we were seated in his car. He stared into my eyes as if weighing my emotions. I looked away again.; I couldn't bear his gaze. I couldn't withstand his eyes that never looked at me the way I wanted him to. He had no feelings for me and it hurt so much. "I-I..." he paused, sighing. "I replaced Miss Chen because Lexi wants to be our model. She's also a good fit, so I agreed--" "What?" I asked in disbelief. He pressed his lips together and looked away, ruffling his hair in frustration before shaking his head and holding my hand. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It was just so sudden. She asked for a favor, and I couldn't say no." I pulled my hand away, looking at him with a mix of pain and anger. "You can't say no to her, so you'd rather harm the company--our company. You've betrayed me, Pierce." "Kels, come on. You know how much I love her. She's my first love." Painfully, I closed my eyes. Oh yes, she was your first love. She's always the one you want, no matter the cost. As long as she frowns a bit, you turn a blind eye to the pain and effort of others. You're so heartless, Pierce. "Well, you've made your decision. I don't have a say in this since you're the President. Just go. I'll be in the office." I said coldly, opening the car door to leave. "Kelly..." I looked him in the eyes. "Go home early. Let's talk about our divorce at home tonight." Chapter 4 Kelly's POV--Left High and Dry I was playing with the wedding ring on my finger. I told him to go home early, but he didn't come home at all. He wasn't even answering my calls. Well, now Lexi was back; this house was probably not home in his eyes anymore. My eyes turned to my pregnancy report on the table. What a mockery. I was still naive to hold a glimmer of hope that things would be different if I told him about the baby. But forget this baby thing was out of his plan. I wiped away the tears collecting at the corners of my eyes and picked up the report. It was 5 a.m. already when I looked at the clock on the wall. I tried to dial his number again, but it was still busy. What was he busy with? Was he busy staying with Lexi? He must have missed her a lot, didn't he? I didn't remember how I fell asleep. When the alarm clock went off, he didn't come home yet. I sneered at myself as I caught my reflection in the dresser mirror. The dark circles under my eyes were so clear, and my hair was a total mess, looking like a ghost. Suddenly, a wave of nausea flooded my stomach, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything last night. Feeling sick again, I ran to the sink and puked. I spat yellowish liquid, and while I was washing my mouth, I felt a warm hand caressing my back. I immediately lifted my face and met a pair of brown eyes looking at me through the mirror. Standing behind me with a worried expression was my husband, Pierce. I had always been thankful to have him as my best friend and husband, but now... I'm losing him. Hopelessly losing him. "Are you okay? Are you not feeling well? You should've told me." I stared at him through the mirror. "You didn't answer my calls." Guilt flickered in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I had some things to do. I stayed in the office all night." I wiped my face and walked past him. He followed me as I sat in front of the vanity and started combing my hair. "Kels..." "I woke up late. I failed to prepare breakfast." I tried to avoid his eyes. I felt like I would lose my temper and snap at him. There was no moment when I felt his selfishness so clearly as now. He called me his best friend, yet he had never seriously confronted my needs. My feelings. "Kels... you know I'm not asking about this. I'm just worried about your condition..." "Kels, are we still okay?" I stopped combing my hair and slowly met his eyes. Through the mirror, again. Really? He's asking me that? After he offered me a divorce without even asking if I was okay with it? He decided on his own, just because his first love is back. I couldn't believe him. I faked a smile. "I just don't feel well today, Pierce." He immediately squatted beside me, which was not surprising because I knew he truly cared. What surprised me was why he was still doing this after he buried a dagger in my heart. "Are you okay?" He gently touched my forehead and neck. "Are you sick? Tell me how you feel, Kels." "My feelings don't matter," I couldn't help but blurt out. He looked shocked by what I said. When I attempted to avoid him, he grabbed my wrist and made me face him. His face was mirroring his anger now. He was completely lost his patience. "What's wrong with you, Kels? You've been acting like this since yesterday. Is this about Lexi? Or was it because I didn't come home last night?" I looked him in the eyes, annoyed. "You're the one who asked for a divorce! I told you to come back earlier, but you just let me wait the whole night. How do you want me to greet you this morning, Pierce?" He clenched his jaws and shook his head. "Kels, I..." "Enough. We can talk about the divorce after work today." "Kels!" He called and grabbed my shoulders. Confusion and pain were visible in his eyes. "Are you... in love with me?" I was taken aback. In love? Yes! Ever since we were in high school. Ever since he became my best friend. Who wouldn't fall for someone who had been protecting you ever since? But of course, I couldn't tell him. It would only complicate things more. I didn't even want him to pity me. I shook my head and pushed his arms away. "Are you on d**gs? I'm not in love with you." I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom again. I locked it before going to the bathtub. I should focus on myself. I can't let my emotions affect me, but... why are my tears falling again? "You are so pathetic, Kelly! You can't even tell him how you truly feel," I whispered to myself as I wiped my tears angrily. It took me almost an hour to bathe. When I was done, I realized Pierce had already left. I shook my head in disbelief. He's been constantly abandoning me. I can't believe we've reached this point. I thought we were okay. I was so stupid. *** "Good morning, Miss Monroe..." "Good morning, Vice President..." I did not greet anyone back, just like how I used to greet them. I still felt pissed, and my mood seemed off. Irritation could easily take over me, and I couldn't control it. Probably because of Pierce's divorce proposal or because of my pregnancy. I was about to enter my office when I heard two girls talking. "Did you see her? I bet she's Mr. Anderson's girlfriend. They seemed close." My forehead creased. Pierce's girlfriend? "Ah! It's a waste that I didn't see her face, but I feel like it's Miss Lexi." "Lexi? Lexi Gilbert? The model?" "Yes! I bet my whole month's salary on this. They look good together." "Come on! Miss Monroe and Mr. Anderson look better together." "Are you serious? They're best friends. You know, some people are better off just friends. It's Mr. Anderson and Miss Monroe." I squeezed my eyes closed and pushed the door of my office. I slowly closed it and rested my back against it. This is harder than I expected. I took a deep breath and sat in my swivel chair. I opened the computer at the same time a notification popped up on the screen of my phone. My hands started shaking as soon as I saw the notification. It was Pierce's social media update. He uploaded a photo of him and Lexi together, eating in a fancy restaurant. I balled my fists and gritted my teeth. See, Kelly? That's what happens when you step into such a loveless marriage without a second thought. You would only break yourself if you continued on the wrong path. Just get a divorce. Spare him and yourself. Your baby needs a strong mommy... ...... ==== Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly's first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart, Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. What happens next? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3& LEARN_MORE https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-e Lucky Reading 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 fbweb.moboreader.net VIDEO https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-encp25_2-1025-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=304554039400649&rawadid=120213710979860238 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466015205_921858376042164_6758943564567621912_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Xb0vqMFVLtwQ7kNvgEsUIE3&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=Ay0TPBFceONubxb9XTNk6Bv&oh=00_AYAF7mv2OO5SkZtg56GEBJXWX-7t2E7_7MuUgybrw1450g&oe=67470EF7 REGULAR_PAGE 0 0 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Read next chapter For her, marrying her best friend and carrying his child was a dream come true. However, just at this joyful moment, the man's beloved returned... ===== "It's a good thing you're cautious. You could've lost your baby, Miss Monroe," the GYN told me seriously as she could see the shock in my eyes. Had I heard it right? I was pregnant? I was pregnant with a baby for Pierce--my best friend and my first crush! On the way out of the hospital, I couldn't wait to tell Pierce about our baby. I wondered what his reaction would be. Would he scream in happiness? God! I couldn't contain my happiness. I cupped my flushed face as I fantasized, but the moment I felt the cold of the simple ring on my finger, my wildly beating heart calmed down. I almost forgot that Pierce wasn't the type to be keen on having children, especially since our marriage was arranged by his family. Pierce was a complete gentleman, both as a friend and a husband. Every time we did intimate thing, he was considerate yet cautious, saying there was no need to add extra shackles when we weren't ready. This baby, in a way, was out of the plan. "Ma'am, is everything okay? Do you need to call the boss?" my private driver, Luke, asked worriedly as he noticed my frown. Luke was reliable, like family, but if I chose to share, I still wanted Pierce to be the first to know this news. He was my baby's father. "No," I shook my head, giving Luke a reassuring smile. "He's on a flight. I'll talk to him later myself." I wanted to sense his answer directly from his raw expressions. I was always good at that. I closed my eyes, recalling the first day we met. His bright smile in the sunlight was so dazzling; he was a Prince. Long before we became best friends, I fell in love with him at first sight. But it was only unrequited love; I knew that well. I slid down the car window to get some fresh air but accidentally caught a glimpse of our old high school. That bitter feeling filled my chest once again. Pierce was my first love, but I wasn't his. In high school, I was just a boring nerd in others' eyes while Pierce Anderson was the shining quarterback. Everyone was surprised that we could be friends. Though envy arose, I enjoyed being around him. I slowly realized that I didn't just want to be his friend. However, right when I was about to confess my feelings to him, another girl came into his life. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of those sad memories. I gripped the cold wedding ring on my finger, telling myself the past was the past. Pierce said they were over, and I was his wife now. I was his wife who was carrying his baby. I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and opened the door to our house. My heart calmed as I breathed in the scent of home. Our home. Pierce and I decorated it together with our own hands. We enjoyed it. Yes, I must have been overthinking. That woman had been out of our lives for a long time, and my marriage with Pierce had been as beautiful as a fairy tale for the past three years. I glanced at the clock on the wall. At this point, Pierce should have gotten off the plane. He had been traveling for over a month for the sake of our family's business. Pierce was the President of ADE, the leading fashion magazine company in Asia, and I was actually the Vice President. We were not only life partners but also good partners at work. I really missed him. I dialed his number immediately. I wanted to hear his voice now, to know when he would arrive home. I would prepare a good meal for him, and he would reward me with a sweet k*ss. Then we might do intimate thing... Oops, I almost forgot I was pregnant now. I needed to tell him this first before we could do anything else. I was happily envisioning our lovely reunion when my heart dropped as a woman's voice came over the line. [Hello?] I snapped the phone as just one word came out. My phone fell to the floor, and my body started shaking uncontrollably. NO! It couldn't be her! It couldn't be Lexi! She was already out of our lives! I must have misheard. I rushed to the fridge, attempting to calm myself with some al**hol. But the moment I was reminded of the doctor's words and my baby. I needed to be cautious for my baby's sake. I turned to grab a box of milk and walked toward the sofa. I didn't know what made me recognize that as Lexi's voice at that moment. I meant Lexi and I were never close. Lexi Gilbert was a typical blonde beauty that men would go crazy for. She was the popular cheerleader in high school while Pierce was the star quarterback. A better match than he and a nerd like me, right? It wasn't surprising that he had fallen for her. My pride couldn't stand watching the man I loved go crazy for another woman. So I had once tried to stay away from them silently, but Pierce refused to quit my life. Every time I drowned myself in a sea of books and studies to forget them, Pierce would appear at my doorstep asking me out. I couldn't say no to his charming smile; I couldn't refuse when he claimed it was his duty as my best friend to take me out to enjoy the real world. To avoid ruining our friendship, I could only hide my broken heart, silently playing the role of his best friend while watching his happy face as he pursued another girl. I finally mustered the courage to study abroad when I learned that Pierce was planning to propose to Lexi. However, I never expected Grams would call to beg me to return. I hurried back only to see a lifeless Pierce. His heart was shattered, thanks to Lexi. My beloved sunshine boy was nowhere to be seen, and my heart b*ed for him. I started to hate Lexi from that moment. I gave up my cherished man for her, and how dared she harm him so badly! Pierce didn't tell anyone what happened except that he was done with Lexi. Grams arranged our marriage. I didn't understand why he agreed until the day I heard him say that marrying anyone but Lexi would be the same for him. It hurt like hell, but I still walked into this marriage without a second thought. My cherished boy was broken, and I wanted to fix him, not caring if I ruined myself in the process. I fell asleep at home, feeling insecure and worried. I woke up in the middle of the night when I felt someone caressing my cheek. Slowly, I opened my eyes and realized I had fallen asleep in the living room. Someone lifted me from the couch. I immediately recognized his scent and touch as I looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes. "Pierce..." "Hmm," he hummed as he walked toward the stairs. "Why did you sleep on the couch?" I stared at his face as he gently placed me down on the bed. He caressed my hair and k*ssed my forehead. He was always so gentle, and that was why I loved him so much. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you," I said as I caressed his cheek. "Just met a friend. You said you were waiting for me; is it something urgent?" Looking at his gentle face, I suddenly didn't want to ruin the moment, so I closed my parted lips and swallowed the truth back down. Tomorrow, maybe tomorrow, I would have the courage to face all the puzzles. I shook my head and pouted, signaling that I was sleepy. He chuckled and carefully carried me to the bed. Just as he was about to leave me after giving me a goodnight k*ss, I panicked for some reason. I quickly grabbed him... I missed him. I wanted him. "Wait, Kels," he said, stopping me by pinning my hands to the bed. "I thought you said you were sleepy and needed to rest." "But I think I miss you more now." I looked at him with innocence and caught the d**ire flashing in his eyes, but I didn't know why it faded so quickly. He used to be happy when I took the initiative. As if noticing my confusion, he chuckled and playfully pinched my nose. "I'll just take a shower." I nodded and watched him as he walked toward the bathroom. But drowsiness struck again, so I closed my eyes to take a nap. However, it was already morning when I opened my eyes again, and Pierce was beside me, putting a tray of food on the bedside table. "Hey!" I greeted, smiling when I realized what he'd done. He had prepared breakfast for me. In bed. The sweetest. He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. "Good morning." I grinned as I sat up. He carried the tray and put it beside me. I shot an eyebrow up, tilting my head as I stared at his handsome face. His deep brown eyes and thick, black eyebrows complemented his striking features. "What is this? Is this a bribe? You stood me up last night, bad boy." He didn't laugh. Instead, he heaved a sigh, gently tucking my hair behind my ear before taking my hand and staring into my eyes. "I have something to tell you." My heart raced. I thought about our baby. He had something to say, and I did too. "W-What is it?" I asked, feeling my voice tremble. He took a deep breath. "You know you're important to me, right?" I slowly nodded, my lips parted. I couldn't speak; I was scared of what he was about to say. I had a bad feeling about this. "You were my best friend before we got married. You're one of the few people I treasure..." I hid my clenched fists under the sheets. I didn't understand why he was telling me this, but I felt tears pooling in the corner of my eyes already. "Kelly..." He paused, squeezing his eyes shut before looking into mine again. "I-I think it's time for us to divorce." "P-Pierce..." My heart clenched. He smiled sadly. "I know you don't have feelings for me either. You only married me because of my grandparents. You just did this because you love them. Now it's time for our real happiness, Kelly." I shook my head. "W-What are you talking about, Pierce?" "Lexi is back, Kelly. My first love is back." Chapter 2 Kelly's POV--It Never Rains but It Pours I got off the bed and tried to leave, but Pierce grabbed my hand. I quickly wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks before he could see them. He stood in front of me, searching my face as I struggled to look down and avoid his gaze. My heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. I thought... I thought I could make him fall in love with me during those three years together. I believed his feelings would deepen, that he would see me as a woman rather than just a best friend. I was foolish to hope and dream so high. I had failed. No matter how hard I tried, his heart belonged only to his first love, Lexi. "Kelly..." I sucked in a breath and swallowed the pain as I looked at him. I forced a smile. "I need to wash up before eating." He stared into my eyes, trying to figure out what I was thinking. I knew he understood me too well, so I made a concerted effort to hide my pain and smiled back at him. He sighed and let go of my hand. "Okay. I'll wait for you here. Let's eat and go to work together." Together? How cruel could he be? He still wanted us to get along as if he hadn't just asked for a divorce? He wanted us to stay the same right after telling me that his first love was back and he wanted to divorce me? Oh, Pierce, what's going on in your head? If I used to be able to force myself to remain in the role of his best friend, wishing him happiness, I no longer had that courage after the three years we'd shared. There was no way I could endure that kind of torture again, especially now that I was carrying his baby. The baby... I had thought it was good news for us, but now... it felt more like a burden to him, I guess. A burden that would prevent him from pursuing his true love and freedom. I knew how an unwanted child could grow up. My parents divorced even before my mother died, and my father's new family hated me. It hurt like hell. I didn't want my baby to experience that same pain. I needed to keep my child away from it. I forced another smile. "We can't. I need to visit the studio for the photoshoot of our new models..." "I'll go with you--" "No." I pushed his hand away. His eyes followed my hand before he looked up at me again. "You have some documents to sign. Our schedules are already organized, remember?" "But..." "I have a personal driver, Pierce. I'll be fine going alone." He sighed and slowly nodded. I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom. I immediately opened the shower and stood under the cold water. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I covered my mouth to suppress my sobs. My shoulders trembled violently, and when I thought about my baby, I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself down. I wiped my face and caressed my belly. I needed to be strong. I had to stay calm. I shouldn't put my baby's life at risk just because I got my heart broken. I had to handle this wisely. I took a deep breath and finished my shower. When I got out of the bathroom, I was shocked to see Pierce still there. He was struggling to fix his tie in front of the full-length mirror. I also noticed my pair of heels and dress on the bed. "Hey! I picked your dress for today." Since our marriage wasn't public, Pierce had said he would try to do little things for me as a husband. He did it well, and I used to enjoy these sweet moments, but now, they felt like d**gers to my heart. I grabbed the dress and went into the walk-in closet. I felt him following me. I put the white dress back and picked a red one. When I turned to face him, his forehead was creased. "I prefer red today. I'd feel beautiful in this dress." His eyes landed on the dress I was holding, and his face immediately relaxed. He nodded and walked toward me. "I see. Help me fix this first." I placed my dress on his arm and started adjusting his tie. I could feel his eyes staring intently and it was making my heart beat so fast. I took a deep breath and chewed my bottom lip as I struggled to fix the tie. My vision started to blur again. D**n! "Kelly..." I jumped in shock. "Hmm?" "Are you okay?" I looked at him and smiled. "Yeah." "I have something else to say." I finished fixing his tie, then immediately grabbed the dress from him. I glanced at him before walking past him and said, "Let's just talk some other time. I'm going to be late." I heard him sigh as he followed me again. He's silent the whole time as if he's thinking about something. "You should eat before you leave." I turned to him and nodded. "I will. You should go now." "Kelly, we're on the same page, right?" I stared at him. No, Pierce. We're never on the same page. All of this was just my stupid fantasy. I thought you had feelings for me, and I was so wrong. "If it's about the divorce, I understand everything, Pierce. I know what I have to do. Just give me some time because I'm really busy with the company. I won't run away." "Kelly, I'm not just doing this for myself. I'm doing this for you too. You've been caged with me ever since we got married. I know you're not happy because deep down, you want to find the man you deserve. Someone who will truly love you. Not me. Not someone who's half-hearted." "I understand what you're trying to say, Pierce," I said, trying to turn away, but he held me by the waist, keeping me in place. He did everything he could to capture my gaze, and he succeeded. He looked at me worriedly. "You are my best friend. I don't want to lose you, Kels. You're one of the few people I..." "I know," I said out of frustration. He looked shocked, so I took a breath to calm myself. "I-I know. You don't have to worry. I'm just stressed about work. It's not about our divorce." His lips parted, and he slowly nodded, as if he could finally breathe properly. He walked toward me, and I froze when he gently k*ssed my forehead... "Thank you, Kelly," he whispered. My heart clenched. It had been three years, but I was still such a coward. Why couldn't I just tell him that I loved him? He's my husband, and I'm carrying his baby! If I told him, he might change his mind! I swallowed hard, ready to speak, but his phone rang. I didn't miss the caller ID. Again, it was Lexi. "I gotta go." He scratched his head in apology, and I didn't miss the upturned corners of his mouth. "I called Luke, and he's waiting outside. Eat before you go, okay?" With that, he left our room. The tears I had managed to hold back burst forth again. Why did I think I could have a chance? He had made his choice the moment he asked for a divorce, hadn't he? Whenever it came to Lexi, I was always the one he would abandon. Chapter 3 Kelly's POV--Stiff Upper Lip I entered the studio wearing two-inch red heels and a red dress. Everyone turned to look as I walked down the hallway, greeting me with smiles, but my face remained stoic, not showing any emotions at all. The conversation with Pierce this morning lingered in my mind, but I couldn't let it affect my work. I couldn't fail my work after I had failed my marriage. I took a deep breath to steady myself. However, when I entered the photoshoot room, I could notice everyone was in chaos. "We can't! She's not answering her calls. What should we do? The Vice President is coming today. She'll be furious." "We can just tell her the truth. She's nice." "Not in this situation, Lily! She'll scold us--" "What's happening here?" I asked, stepping further into the room. The staff turned to me with worried expressions, and I knew then that something was wrong. "G-Good morning, Miss Monroe." Miss Monroe. Of course, no one knew that Pierce and I were married except for our families. I felt a pinch in my heart because of that truth. It hurt. I stared at her blankly, "What? "W-We have a problem, Miss Monroe. Miss Chen, our model, has been refusing our calls. She said she heard that we're changing the model, so...she doesn't want to come here. She's even threatening to file a case against us." She bowed her head, and I gritted my teeth, scanning the room. "Where's the marketing manager?" "S-She's still trying to convince Miss Chen, Miss Monroe." I massaged my forehead, squeezing my eyes closed. I grabbed my hair and screamed in so much anger, causing everyone around me to jump in shock. I g**aned, sucking in a breath before looking around. "Miss Monroe..." "What is this, Miss Hayley? You're the marketing manager. What's happening?" "Miss Monroe, I don't know how it happened, but Miss Chen heard that you're changing our model. She's about to file a case against us--" Changing the model? How had I not known about this? Miss Chen had always been a trusted partner, and if not necessary, changing models for a commercial shoot on short notice would only create chaos for the company. I would never allow such a costly mistake. "I never asked for that. You must be mistaken." I cut her off to save the time, "Fix this mess, or I'll have to fire you!" "Miss Monroe... It's Mr. President who ordered the change." Hayley spoke hesitantly. "He instructed us as soon as he returned from his business trip yesterday." The truth hit me hard. Pierce's order? Why hadn't he told me? He used to discuss every major decision with me first. "It shouldn't be..." Confusion clouded my mind. Pierce was not a clueless businessman; he maintained a clear distinction between work and personal matters, which was why he always succeeded. And that was also why he chose to keep our marriage a secret. "Yes, Kelly. I gave the order." The voice pulled me back. "M-Mr. President..." Hayley bowed in respect as the man suddenly appeared behind me. "I think you owe me an explanation, Pierce. About changing the model!" I snapped as I turned to face him. He knew how much effort I had put into securing this project. I hadn't slept well for days, and Miss Chen was the perfect fit for us. He had agreed too. But now... he just changed the model as he liked without informing me in advance. It felt like a hard s**p in the face. "Go ahead with the work. I'll explain it to her." He pacified the staff first, ignoring the anger simmering in my eyes. "Answer me, Pierce! Why did you change the model so suddenly?" I couldn't contain my fury. He touched my shoulder and whispered, "This isn't the place to talk. Let me explain in the car." I glanced around, noticing others sneaking glances at us. I shook off his hand and walked toward the parking lot, my heart growing heavier with each step. I had a sinking feeling I wouldn't like his explanation. "Now, say it," I blurted once we were seated in his car. He stared into my eyes as if weighing my emotions. I looked away again.; I couldn't bear his gaze. I couldn't withstand his eyes that never looked at me the way I wanted him to. He had no feelings for me and it hurt so much. "I-I..." he paused, sighing. "I replaced Miss Chen because Lexi wants to be our model. She's also a good fit, so I agreed--" "What?" I asked in disbelief. He pressed his lips together and looked away, ruffling his hair in frustration before shaking his head and holding my hand. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It was just so sudden. She asked for a favor, and I couldn't say no." I pulled my hand away, looking at him with a mix of pain and anger. "You can't say no to her, so you'd rather harm the company--our company. You've betrayed me, Pierce." "Kels, come on. You know how much I love her. She's my first love." Painfully, I closed my eyes. Oh yes, she was your first love. She's always the one you want, no matter the cost. As long as she frowns a bit, you turn a blind eye to the pain and effort of others. You're so heartless, Pierce. "Well, you've made your decision. I don't have a say in this since you're the President. Just go. I'll be in the office." I said coldly, opening the car door to leave. "Kelly..." I looked him in the eyes. "Go home early. Let's talk about our divorce at home tonight." Chapter 4 Kelly's POV--Left High and Dry I was playing with the wedding ring on my finger. I told him to go home early, but he didn't come home at all. He wasn't even answering my calls. Well, now Lexi was back; this house was probably not home in his eyes anymore. My eyes turned to my pregnancy report on the table. What a mockery. I was still naive to hold a glimmer of hope that things would be different if I told him about the baby. But forget this baby thing was out of his plan. I wiped away the tears collecting at the corners of my eyes and picked up the report. It was 5 a.m. already when I looked at the clock on the wall. I tried to dial his number again, but it was still busy. What was he busy with? Was he busy staying with Lexi? He must have missed her a lot, didn't he? I didn't remember how I fell asleep. When the alarm clock went off, he didn't come home yet. I sneered at myself as I caught my reflection in the dresser mirror. The dark circles under my eyes were so clear, and my hair was a total mess, looking like a ghost. Suddenly, a wave of nausea flooded my stomach, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything last night. Feeling sick again, I ran to the sink and puked. I spat yellowish liquid, and while I was washing my mouth, I felt a warm hand caressing my back. I immediately lifted my face and met a pair of brown eyes looking at me through the mirror. Standing behind me with a worried expression was my husband, Pierce. I had always been thankful to have him as my best friend and husband, but now... I'm losing him. Hopelessly losing him. "Are you okay? Are you not feeling well? You should've told me." I stared at him through the mirror. "You didn't answer my calls." Guilt flickered in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I had some things to do. I stayed in the office all night." I wiped my face and walked past him. He followed me as I sat in front of the vanity and started combing my hair. "Kels..." "I woke up late. I failed to prepare breakfast." I tried to avoid his eyes. I felt like I would lose my temper and snap at him. There was no moment when I felt his selfishness so clearly as now. He called me his best friend, yet he had never seriously confronted my needs. My feelings. "Kels... you know I'm not asking about this. I'm just worried about your condition..." "Kels, are we still okay?" I stopped combing my hair and slowly met his eyes. Through the mirror, again. Really? He's asking me that? After he offered me a divorce without even asking if I was okay with it? He decided on his own, just because his first love is back. I couldn't believe him. I faked a smile. "I just don't feel well today, Pierce." He immediately squatted beside me, which was not surprising because I knew he truly cared. What surprised me was why he was still doing this after he buried a dagger in my heart. "Are you okay?" He gently touched my forehead and neck. "Are you sick? Tell me how you feel, Kels." "My feelings don't matter," I couldn't help but blurt out. He looked shocked by what I said. When I attempted to avoid him, he grabbed my wrist and made me face him. His face was mirroring his anger now. He was completely lost his patience. "What's wrong with you, Kels? You've been acting like this since yesterday. Is this about Lexi? Or was it because I didn't come home last night?" I looked him in the eyes, annoyed. "You're the one who asked for a divorce! I told you to come back earlier, but you just let me wait the whole night. How do you want me to greet you this morning, Pierce?" He clenched his jaws and shook his head. "Kels, I..." "Enough. We can talk about the divorce after work today." "Kels!" He called and grabbed my shoulders. Confusion and pain were visible in his eyes. "Are you... in love with me?" I was taken aback. In love? Yes! Ever since we were in high school. Ever since he became my best friend. Who wouldn't fall for someone who had been protecting you ever since? But of course, I couldn't tell him. It would only complicate things more. I didn't even want him to pity me. I shook my head and pushed his arms away. "Are you on d**gs? I'm not in love with you." I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom again. I locked it before going to the bathtub. I should focus on myself. I can't let my emotions affect me, but... why are my tears falling again? "You are so pathetic, Kelly! You can't even tell him how you truly feel," I whispered to myself as I wiped my tears angrily. It took me almost an hour to bathe. When I was done, I realized Pierce had already left. I shook my head in disbelief. He's been constantly abandoning me. I can't believe we've reached this point. I thought we were okay. I was so stupid. *** "Good morning, Miss Monroe..." "Good morning, Vice President..." I did not greet anyone back, just like how I used to greet them. I still felt pissed, and my mood seemed off. Irritation could easily take over me, and I couldn't control it. Probably because of Pierce's divorce proposal or because of my pregnancy. I was about to enter my office when I heard two girls talking. "Did you see her? I bet she's Mr. Anderson's girlfriend. They seemed close." My forehead creased. Pierce's girlfriend? "Ah! It's a waste that I didn't see her face, but I feel like it's Miss Lexi." "Lexi? Lexi Gilbert? The model?" "Yes! I bet my whole month's salary on this. They look good together." "Come on! Miss Monroe and Mr. Anderson look better together." "Are you serious? They're best friends. You know, some people are better off just friends. It's Mr. Anderson and Miss Monroe." I squeezed my eyes closed and pushed the door of my office. I slowly closed it and rested my back against it. This is harder than I expected. I took a deep breath and sat in my swivel chair. I opened the computer at the same time a notification popped up on the screen of my phone. My hands started shaking as soon as I saw the notification. It was Pierce's social media update. He uploaded a photo of him and Lexi together, eating in a fancy restaurant. I balled my fists and gritted my teeth. See, Kelly? That's what happens when you step into such a loveless marriage without a second thought. You would only break yourself if you continued on the wrong path. Just get a divorce. Spare him and yourself. Your baby needs a strong mommy... ...... ==== Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly's first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart, Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. What happens next? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3& LEARN_MORE https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-e Lucky Reading 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 fbweb.moboreader.net IMAGE https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-encp25_2-1025-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=304554039400649&rawadid=120213711003830238 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466251072_593785519980902_7329983809141607239_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qrPIfiGCEzYQ7kNvgGAk5uD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=Ay0TPBFceONubxb9XTNk6Bv&oh=00_AYBEHao4PXHg6mqa_Hgvq7sDgXfP8YeC2ymRqtI0smwZTw&oe=6746DF4A REGULAR_PAGE 0 0 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Read next chapter For her, marrying her best friend and carrying his child was a dream come true. However, just at this joyful moment, the man's beloved returned... ===== "It's a good thing you're cautious. You could've lost your baby, Miss Monroe," the GYN told me seriously as she could see the shock in my eyes. Had I heard it right? I was pregnant? I was pregnant with a baby for Pierce--my best friend and my first crush! On the way out of the hospital, I couldn't wait to tell Pierce about our baby. I wondered what his reaction would be. Would he scream in happiness? God! I couldn't contain my happiness. I cupped my flushed face as I fantasized, but the moment I felt the cold of the simple ring on my finger, my wildly beating heart calmed down. I almost forgot that Pierce wasn't the type to be keen on having children, especially since our marriage was arranged by his family. Pierce was a complete gentleman, both as a friend and a husband. Every time we did intimate thing, he was considerate yet cautious, saying there was no need to add extra shackles when we weren't ready. This baby, in a way, was out of the plan. "Ma'am, is everything okay? Do you need to call the boss?" my private driver, Luke, asked worriedly as he noticed my frown. Luke was reliable, like family, but if I chose to share, I still wanted Pierce to be the first to know this news. He was my baby's father. "No," I shook my head, giving Luke a reassuring smile. "He's on a flight. I'll talk to him later myself." I wanted to sense his answer directly from his raw expressions. I was always good at that. I closed my eyes, recalling the first day we met. His bright smile in the sunlight was so dazzling; he was a Prince. Long before we became best friends, I fell in love with him at first sight. But it was only unrequited love; I knew that well. I slid down the car window to get some fresh air but accidentally caught a glimpse of our old high school. That bitter feeling filled my chest once again. Pierce was my first love, but I wasn't his. In high school, I was just a boring nerd in others' eyes while Pierce Anderson was the shining quarterback. Everyone was surprised that we could be friends. Though envy arose, I enjoyed being around him. I slowly realized that I didn't just want to be his friend. However, right when I was about to confess my feelings to him, another girl came into his life. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of those sad memories. I gripped the cold wedding ring on my finger, telling myself the past was the past. Pierce said they were over, and I was his wife now. I was his wife who was carrying his baby. I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and opened the door to our house. My heart calmed as I breathed in the scent of home. Our home. Pierce and I decorated it together with our own hands. We enjoyed it. Yes, I must have been overthinking. That woman had been out of our lives for a long time, and my marriage with Pierce had been as beautiful as a fairy tale for the past three years. I glanced at the clock on the wall. At this point, Pierce should have gotten off the plane. He had been traveling for over a month for the sake of our family's business. Pierce was the President of ADE, the leading fashion magazine company in Asia, and I was actually the Vice President. We were not only life partners but also good partners at work. I really missed him. I dialed his number immediately. I wanted to hear his voice now, to know when he would arrive home. I would prepare a good meal for him, and he would reward me with a sweet k*ss. Then we might do intimate thing... Oops, I almost forgot I was pregnant now. I needed to tell him this first before we could do anything else. I was happily envisioning our lovely reunion when my heart dropped as a woman's voice came over the line. [Hello?] I snapped the phone as just one word came out. My phone fell to the floor, and my body started shaking uncontrollably. NO! It couldn't be her! It couldn't be Lexi! She was already out of our lives! I must have misheard. I rushed to the fridge, attempting to calm myself with some al**hol. But the moment I was reminded of the doctor's words and my baby. I needed to be cautious for my baby's sake. I turned to grab a box of milk and walked toward the sofa. I didn't know what made me recognize that as Lexi's voice at that moment. I meant Lexi and I were never close. Lexi Gilbert was a typical blonde beauty that men would go crazy for. She was the popular cheerleader in high school while Pierce was the star quarterback. A better match than he and a nerd like me, right? It wasn't surprising that he had fallen for her. My pride couldn't stand watching the man I loved go crazy for another woman. So I had once tried to stay away from them silently, but Pierce refused to quit my life. Every time I drowned myself in a sea of books and studies to forget them, Pierce would appear at my doorstep asking me out. I couldn't say no to his charming smile; I couldn't refuse when he claimed it was his duty as my best friend to take me out to enjoy the real world. To avoid ruining our friendship, I could only hide my broken heart, silently playing the role of his best friend while watching his happy face as he pursued another girl. I finally mustered the courage to study abroad when I learned that Pierce was planning to propose to Lexi. However, I never expected Grams would call to beg me to return. I hurried back only to see a lifeless Pierce. His heart was shattered, thanks to Lexi. My beloved sunshine boy was nowhere to be seen, and my heart b*ed for him. I started to hate Lexi from that moment. I gave up my cherished man for her, and how dared she harm him so badly! Pierce didn't tell anyone what happened except that he was done with Lexi. Grams arranged our marriage. I didn't understand why he agreed until the day I heard him say that marrying anyone but Lexi would be the same for him. It hurt like hell, but I still walked into this marriage without a second thought. My cherished boy was broken, and I wanted to fix him, not caring if I ruined myself in the process. I fell asleep at home, feeling insecure and worried. I woke up in the middle of the night when I felt someone caressing my cheek. Slowly, I opened my eyes and realized I had fallen asleep in the living room. Someone lifted me from the couch. I immediately recognized his scent and touch as I looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes. "Pierce..." "Hmm," he hummed as he walked toward the stairs. "Why did you sleep on the couch?" I stared at his face as he gently placed me down on the bed. He caressed my hair and k*ssed my forehead. He was always so gentle, and that was why I loved him so much. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you," I said as I caressed his cheek. "Just met a friend. You said you were waiting for me; is it something urgent?" Looking at his gentle face, I suddenly didn't want to ruin the moment, so I closed my parted lips and swallowed the truth back down. Tomorrow, maybe tomorrow, I would have the courage to face all the puzzles. I shook my head and pouted, signaling that I was sleepy. He chuckled and carefully carried me to the bed. Just as he was about to leave me after giving me a goodnight k*ss, I panicked for some reason. I quickly grabbed him... I missed him. I wanted him. "Wait, Kels," he said, stopping me by pinning my hands to the bed. "I thought you said you were sleepy and needed to rest." "But I think I miss you more now." I looked at him with innocence and caught the d**ire flashing in his eyes, but I didn't know why it faded so quickly. He used to be happy when I took the initiative. As if noticing my confusion, he chuckled and playfully pinched my nose. "I'll just take a shower." I nodded and watched him as he walked toward the bathroom. But drowsiness struck again, so I closed my eyes to take a nap. However, it was already morning when I opened my eyes again, and Pierce was beside me, putting a tray of food on the bedside table. "Hey!" I greeted, smiling when I realized what he'd done. He had prepared breakfast for me. In bed. The sweetest. He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. "Good morning." I grinned as I sat up. He carried the tray and put it beside me. I shot an eyebrow up, tilting my head as I stared at his handsome face. His deep brown eyes and thick, black eyebrows complemented his striking features. "What is this? Is this a bribe? You stood me up last night, bad boy." He didn't laugh. Instead, he heaved a sigh, gently tucking my hair behind my ear before taking my hand and staring into my eyes. "I have something to tell you." My heart raced. I thought about our baby. He had something to say, and I did too. "W-What is it?" I asked, feeling my voice tremble. He took a deep breath. "You know you're important to me, right?" I slowly nodded, my lips parted. I couldn't speak; I was scared of what he was about to say. I had a bad feeling about this. "You were my best friend before we got married. You're one of the few people I treasure..." I hid my clenched fists under the sheets. I didn't understand why he was telling me this, but I felt tears pooling in the corner of my eyes already. "Kelly..." He paused, squeezing his eyes shut before looking into mine again. "I-I think it's time for us to divorce." "P-Pierce..." My heart clenched. He smiled sadly. "I know you don't have feelings for me either. You only married me because of my grandparents. You just did this because you love them. Now it's time for our real happiness, Kelly." I shook my head. "W-What are you talking about, Pierce?" "Lexi is back, Kelly. My first love is back." Chapter 2 Kelly's POV--It Never Rains but It Pours I got off the bed and tried to leave, but Pierce grabbed my hand. I quickly wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks before he could see them. He stood in front of me, searching my face as I struggled to look down and avoid his gaze. My heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. I thought... I thought I could make him fall in love with me during those three years together. I believed his feelings would deepen, that he would see me as a woman rather than just a best friend. I was foolish to hope and dream so high. I had failed. No matter how hard I tried, his heart belonged only to his first love, Lexi. "Kelly..." I sucked in a breath and swallowed the pain as I looked at him. I forced a smile. "I need to wash up before eating." He stared into my eyes, trying to figure out what I was thinking. I knew he understood me too well, so I made a concerted effort to hide my pain and smiled back at him. He sighed and let go of my hand. "Okay. I'll wait for you here. Let's eat and go to work together." Together? How cruel could he be? He still wanted us to get along as if he hadn't just asked for a divorce? He wanted us to stay the same right after telling me that his first love was back and he wanted to divorce me? Oh, Pierce, what's going on in your head? If I used to be able to force myself to remain in the role of his best friend, wishing him happiness, I no longer had that courage after the three years we'd shared. There was no way I could endure that kind of torture again, especially now that I was carrying his baby. The baby... I had thought it was good news for us, but now... it felt more like a burden to him, I guess. A burden that would prevent him from pursuing his true love and freedom. I knew how an unwanted child could grow up. My parents divorced even before my mother died, and my father's new family hated me. It hurt like hell. I didn't want my baby to experience that same pain. I needed to keep my child away from it. I forced another smile. "We can't. I need to visit the studio for the photoshoot of our new models..." "I'll go with you--" "No." I pushed his hand away. His eyes followed my hand before he looked up at me again. "You have some documents to sign. Our schedules are already organized, remember?" "But..." "I have a personal driver, Pierce. I'll be fine going alone." He sighed and slowly nodded. I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom. I immediately opened the shower and stood under the cold water. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I covered my mouth to suppress my sobs. My shoulders trembled violently, and when I thought about my baby, I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself down. I wiped my face and caressed my belly. I needed to be strong. I had to stay calm. I shouldn't put my baby's life at risk just because I got my heart broken. I had to handle this wisely. I took a deep breath and finished my shower. When I got out of the bathroom, I was shocked to see Pierce still there. He was struggling to fix his tie in front of the full-length mirror. I also noticed my pair of heels and dress on the bed. "Hey! I picked your dress for today." Since our marriage wasn't public, Pierce had said he would try to do little things for me as a husband. He did it well, and I used to enjoy these sweet moments, but now, they felt like d**gers to my heart. I grabbed the dress and went into the walk-in closet. I felt him following me. I put the white dress back and picked a red one. When I turned to face him, his forehead was creased. "I prefer red today. I'd feel beautiful in this dress." His eyes landed on the dress I was holding, and his face immediately relaxed. He nodded and walked toward me. "I see. Help me fix this first." I placed my dress on his arm and started adjusting his tie. I could feel his eyes staring intently and it was making my heart beat so fast. I took a deep breath and chewed my bottom lip as I struggled to fix the tie. My vision started to blur again. D**n! "Kelly..." I jumped in shock. "Hmm?" "Are you okay?" I looked at him and smiled. "Yeah." "I have something else to say." I finished fixing his tie, then immediately grabbed the dress from him. I glanced at him before walking past him and said, "Let's just talk some other time. I'm going to be late." I heard him sigh as he followed me again. He's silent the whole time as if he's thinking about something. "You should eat before you leave." I turned to him and nodded. "I will. You should go now." "Kelly, we're on the same page, right?" I stared at him. No, Pierce. We're never on the same page. All of this was just my stupid fantasy. I thought you had feelings for me, and I was so wrong. "If it's about the divorce, I understand everything, Pierce. I know what I have to do. Just give me some time because I'm really busy with the company. I won't run away." "Kelly, I'm not just doing this for myself. I'm doing this for you too. You've been caged with me ever since we got married. I know you're not happy because deep down, you want to find the man you deserve. Someone who will truly love you. Not me. Not someone who's half-hearted." "I understand what you're trying to say, Pierce," I said, trying to turn away, but he held me by the waist, keeping me in place. He did everything he could to capture my gaze, and he succeeded. He looked at me worriedly. "You are my best friend. I don't want to lose you, Kels. You're one of the few people I..." "I know," I said out of frustration. He looked shocked, so I took a breath to calm myself. "I-I know. You don't have to worry. I'm just stressed about work. It's not about our divorce." His lips parted, and he slowly nodded, as if he could finally breathe properly. He walked toward me, and I froze when he gently k*ssed my forehead... "Thank you, Kelly," he whispered. My heart clenched. It had been three years, but I was still such a coward. Why couldn't I just tell him that I loved him? He's my husband, and I'm carrying his baby! If I told him, he might change his mind! I swallowed hard, ready to speak, but his phone rang. I didn't miss the caller ID. Again, it was Lexi. "I gotta go." He scratched his head in apology, and I didn't miss the upturned corners of his mouth. "I called Luke, and he's waiting outside. Eat before you go, okay?" With that, he left our room. The tears I had managed to hold back burst forth again. Why did I think I could have a chance? He had made his choice the moment he asked for a divorce, hadn't he? Whenever it came to Lexi, I was always the one he would abandon. Chapter 3 Kelly's POV--Stiff Upper Lip I entered the studio wearing two-inch red heels and a red dress. Everyone turned to look as I walked down the hallway, greeting me with smiles, but my face remained stoic, not showing any emotions at all. The conversation with Pierce this morning lingered in my mind, but I couldn't let it affect my work. I couldn't fail my work after I had failed my marriage. I took a deep breath to steady myself. However, when I entered the photoshoot room, I could notice everyone was in chaos. "We can't! She's not answering her calls. What should we do? The Vice President is coming today. She'll be furious." "We can just tell her the truth. She's nice." "Not in this situation, Lily! She'll scold us--" "What's happening here?" I asked, stepping further into the room. The staff turned to me with worried expressions, and I knew then that something was wrong. "G-Good morning, Miss Monroe." Miss Monroe. Of course, no one knew that Pierce and I were married except for our families. I felt a pinch in my heart because of that truth. It hurt. I stared at her blankly, "What? "W-We have a problem, Miss Monroe. Miss Chen, our model, has been refusing our calls. She said she heard that we're changing the model, so...she doesn't want to come here. She's even threatening to file a case against us." She bowed her head, and I gritted my teeth, scanning the room. "Where's the marketing manager?" "S-She's still trying to convince Miss Chen, Miss Monroe." I massaged my forehead, squeezing my eyes closed. I grabbed my hair and screamed in so much anger, causing everyone around me to jump in shock. I g**aned, sucking in a breath before looking around. "Miss Monroe..." "What is this, Miss Hayley? You're the marketing manager. What's happening?" "Miss Monroe, I don't know how it happened, but Miss Chen heard that you're changing our model. She's about to file a case against us--" Changing the model? How had I not known about this? Miss Chen had always been a trusted partner, and if not necessary, changing models for a commercial shoot on short notice would only create chaos for the company. I would never allow such a costly mistake. "I never asked for that. You must be mistaken." I cut her off to save the time, "Fix this mess, or I'll have to fire you!" "Miss Monroe... It's Mr. President who ordered the change." Hayley spoke hesitantly. "He instructed us as soon as he returned from his business trip yesterday." The truth hit me hard. Pierce's order? Why hadn't he told me? He used to discuss every major decision with me first. "It shouldn't be..." Confusion clouded my mind. Pierce was not a clueless businessman; he maintained a clear distinction between work and personal matters, which was why he always succeeded. And that was also why he chose to keep our marriage a secret. "Yes, Kelly. I gave the order." The voice pulled me back. "M-Mr. President..." Hayley bowed in respect as the man suddenly appeared behind me. "I think you owe me an explanation, Pierce. About changing the model!" I snapped as I turned to face him. He knew how much effort I had put into securing this project. I hadn't slept well for days, and Miss Chen was the perfect fit for us. He had agreed too. But now... he just changed the model as he liked without informing me in advance. It felt like a hard s**p in the face. "Go ahead with the work. I'll explain it to her." He pacified the staff first, ignoring the anger simmering in my eyes. "Answer me, Pierce! Why did you change the model so suddenly?" I couldn't contain my fury. He touched my shoulder and whispered, "This isn't the place to talk. Let me explain in the car." I glanced around, noticing others sneaking glances at us. I shook off his hand and walked toward the parking lot, my heart growing heavier with each step. I had a sinking feeling I wouldn't like his explanation. "Now, say it," I blurted once we were seated in his car. He stared into my eyes as if weighing my emotions. I looked away again.; I couldn't bear his gaze. I couldn't withstand his eyes that never looked at me the way I wanted him to. He had no feelings for me and it hurt so much. "I-I..." he paused, sighing. "I replaced Miss Chen because Lexi wants to be our model. She's also a good fit, so I agreed--" "What?" I asked in disbelief. He pressed his lips together and looked away, ruffling his hair in frustration before shaking his head and holding my hand. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It was just so sudden. She asked for a favor, and I couldn't say no." I pulled my hand away, looking at him with a mix of pain and anger. "You can't say no to her, so you'd rather harm the company--our company. You've betrayed me, Pierce." "Kels, come on. You know how much I love her. She's my first love." Painfully, I closed my eyes. Oh yes, she was your first love. She's always the one you want, no matter the cost. As long as she frowns a bit, you turn a blind eye to the pain and effort of others. You're so heartless, Pierce. "Well, you've made your decision. I don't have a say in this since you're the President. Just go. I'll be in the office." I said coldly, opening the car door to leave. "Kelly..." I looked him in the eyes. "Go home early. Let's talk about our divorce at home tonight." Chapter 4 Kelly's POV--Left High and Dry I was playing with the wedding ring on my finger. I told him to go home early, but he didn't come home at all. He wasn't even answering my calls. Well, now Lexi was back; this house was probably not home in his eyes anymore. My eyes turned to my pregnancy report on the table. What a mockery. I was still naive to hold a glimmer of hope that things would be different if I told him about the baby. But forget this baby thing was out of his plan. I wiped away the tears collecting at the corners of my eyes and picked up the report. It was 5 a.m. already when I looked at the clock on the wall. I tried to dial his number again, but it was still busy. What was he busy with? Was he busy staying with Lexi? He must have missed her a lot, didn't he? I didn't remember how I fell asleep. When the alarm clock went off, he didn't come home yet. I sneered at myself as I caught my reflection in the dresser mirror. The dark circles under my eyes were so clear, and my hair was a total mess, looking like a ghost. Suddenly, a wave of nausea flooded my stomach, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything last night. Feeling sick again, I ran to the sink and puked. I spat yellowish liquid, and while I was washing my mouth, I felt a warm hand caressing my back. I immediately lifted my face and met a pair of brown eyes looking at me through the mirror. Standing behind me with a worried expression was my husband, Pierce. I had always been thankful to have him as my best friend and husband, but now... I'm losing him. Hopelessly losing him. "Are you okay? Are you not feeling well? You should've told me." I stared at him through the mirror. "You didn't answer my calls." Guilt flickered in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I had some things to do. I stayed in the office all night." I wiped my face and walked past him. He followed me as I sat in front of the vanity and started combing my hair. "Kels..." "I woke up late. I failed to prepare breakfast." I tried to avoid his eyes. I felt like I would lose my temper and snap at him. There was no moment when I felt his selfishness so clearly as now. He called me his best friend, yet he had never seriously confronted my needs. My feelings. "Kels... you know I'm not asking about this. I'm just worried about your condition..." "Kels, are we still okay?" I stopped combing my hair and slowly met his eyes. Through the mirror, again. Really? He's asking me that? After he offered me a divorce without even asking if I was okay with it? He decided on his own, just because his first love is back. I couldn't believe him. I faked a smile. "I just don't feel well today, Pierce." He immediately squatted beside me, which was not surprising because I knew he truly cared. What surprised me was why he was still doing this after he buried a dagger in my heart. "Are you okay?" He gently touched my forehead and neck. "Are you sick? Tell me how you feel, Kels." "My feelings don't matter," I couldn't help but blurt out. He looked shocked by what I said. When I attempted to avoid him, he grabbed my wrist and made me face him. His face was mirroring his anger now. He was completely lost his patience. "What's wrong with you, Kels? You've been acting like this since yesterday. Is this about Lexi? Or was it because I didn't come home last night?" I looked him in the eyes, annoyed. "You're the one who asked for a divorce! I told you to come back earlier, but you just let me wait the whole night. How do you want me to greet you this morning, Pierce?" He clenched his jaws and shook his head. "Kels, I..." "Enough. We can talk about the divorce after work today." "Kels!" He called and grabbed my shoulders. Confusion and pain were visible in his eyes. "Are you... in love with me?" I was taken aback. In love? Yes! Ever since we were in high school. Ever since he became my best friend. Who wouldn't fall for someone who had been protecting you ever since? But of course, I couldn't tell him. It would only complicate things more. I didn't even want him to pity me. I shook my head and pushed his arms away. "Are you on d**gs? I'm not in love with you." I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom again. I locked it before going to the bathtub. I should focus on myself. I can't let my emotions affect me, but... why are my tears falling again? "You are so pathetic, Kelly! You can't even tell him how you truly feel," I whispered to myself as I wiped my tears angrily. It took me almost an hour to bathe. When I was done, I realized Pierce had already left. I shook my head in disbelief. He's been constantly abandoning me. I can't believe we've reached this point. I thought we were okay. I was so stupid. *** "Good morning, Miss Monroe..." "Good morning, Vice President..." I did not greet anyone back, just like how I used to greet them. I still felt pissed, and my mood seemed off. Irritation could easily take over me, and I couldn't control it. Probably because of Pierce's divorce proposal or because of my pregnancy. I was about to enter my office when I heard two girls talking. "Did you see her? I bet she's Mr. Anderson's girlfriend. They seemed close." My forehead creased. Pierce's girlfriend? "Ah! It's a waste that I didn't see her face, but I feel like it's Miss Lexi." "Lexi? Lexi Gilbert? The model?" "Yes! I bet my whole month's salary on this. They look good together." "Come on! Miss Monroe and Mr. Anderson look better together." "Are you serious? They're best friends. You know, some people are better off just friends. It's Mr. Anderson and Miss Monroe." I squeezed my eyes closed and pushed the door of my office. I slowly closed it and rested my back against it. This is harder than I expected. I took a deep breath and sat in my swivel chair. I opened the computer at the same time a notification popped up on the screen of my phone. My hands started shaking as soon as I saw the notification. It was Pierce's social media update. He uploaded a photo of him and Lexi together, eating in a fancy restaurant. I balled my fists and gritted my teeth. See, Kelly? That's what happens when you step into such a loveless marriage without a second thought. You would only break yourself if you continued on the wrong path. Just get a divorce. Spare him and yourself. Your baby needs a strong mommy... ...... ==== Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly's first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart, Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. What happens next? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3& LEARN_MORE https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-e Lucky Reading 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 fbweb.moboreader.net IMAGE https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-encp25_2-1025-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=304554039400649&rawadid=120213710919260238 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466497106_482644327458164_5032101081132447295_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=b_9ZuONu_roQ7kNvgGnHkjU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ay0TPBFceONubxb9XTNk6Bv&oh=00_AYBRJzDT3NJSNHzmvmTEcTeXRj7K2SwUmpeevX1-DgN9pQ&oe=67470D7D REGULAR_PAGE 0 0 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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No 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE https://www.instagram.com/_u/kelly_reverb DJ Kelly Reverb https://www.facebook.com/DjKellyReverb/ 3,571 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram Profile 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL https://www.instagram.com/_u/kelly_reverb 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467885992_474204855149654_3174234176302226894_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wNficLS8ecQQ7kNvgHEDjtQ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A3HarVNWuARNan91mgqKLXt&oh=00_AYDGNZ-ESNRcwqLgZoRGSCnupU3YK-jncAZbbu9BGj8ChA&oe=674703EA PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 DJ Kelly Reverb 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 my name's Kelly Yes I have one it's free LEARN_MORE https://allmylinks.com/kellycutiee Jens Worlds https://www.facebook.com/61567873721877/ 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 kellycute.com VIDEO https://allmylinks.com/kellycutiee 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467963901_2292395414459574_3452766456313056647_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WeuZObbRTZEQ7kNvgGtg_L6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A2_0yCwiuj63Jbm06ciHZ_k&oh=00_AYAGXBybk93cghVGb4cdkKlkz06iskGM1efMCC5OBLqbEA&oe=67470237 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Jens Worlds 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2506147}'
No 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer The must-try moisturizer that does what it says.Claim your free sample and try today! SIGN_UP http://fb.me/ L'Orรฉal Paris https://www.facebook.com/LOrealParisUSA/ 36,000,866 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sign Up 0 fb.me DCO REDEEM A FREE SAMPLE NOW! http://fb.me/ 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465792587_1191267778638146_3490051208498174205_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ELOUdZ5I8zEQ7kNvgFH3Ui1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7b5wBKFckrj6PNGs4DflOG&oh=00_AYBjOvMca1D6Usm_doz5CDLEdi3_NsF0FmxJ32A4M8KGjw&oe=6746F9B8 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 L'Orรฉal Paris 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2506799}'
Yes 2024-11-22 18:57 active 1907 0 BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF ๐ŸŒŸSharing your faith just got easierโ€”wear your testimony boldly. Shop the designs that spark conversations about Christ. Redefining & Elevating Christian Apparel since 2010 Shop -> https://barnabasclothing.com/collections/jesus-saves SHOP_NOW https://barnabasclothing.com/collections/tees Barnabas Clothing Co. https://www.facebook.com/BarnabasClothingCo/ 21,577 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop now 0 barnabasclothing.com IMAGE Use code: BOGO-50 https://barnabasclothing.com/collections/tees 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467721915_3888510821410712_2981158973395527424_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ME8GMJyOXZsQ7kNvgEu6Eze&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AYTO9kKwQg9Oxd3Y4x6Xxsp&oh=00_AYD3ByC3p8YvHfi-NyJnf0N5Mr54AvEWGRvi_iIQrA8mXQ&oe=6746F7EF PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Barnabas Clothing Co. 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
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