The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 8

**Chapter 8: Unofficial Blacklist**

The term “Unofficial Blacklist” echoed in Serena’s mind as she embraced Alice in the sterile confines of the operating room. “I think you made the right choice,” Alice said softly, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance. The two friends held each other tightly, their hearts beating in sync, a moment of solidarity amidst the chaos of uncertainty.

Serena’s thoughts raced. The innocent should not bear the burden of the sins committed by others. If she had chosen the path of abortion, she would have found herself no different from Nathaniel, and that was a fate she could not accept. She had resolved to embrace the life growing within her, despite the tumultuous emotions swirling inside her.

“I’m afraid,” Serena finally confessed, her voice trembling as her chest tightened with anxiety. “I don’t know if I can do this alone.” The weight of her decision pressed heavily on her shoulders.

Alice pulled back slightly, looking into Serena’s eyes with unwavering determination. “You are not alone. You have me,” she reassured, her grip firm yet gentle. “We’ll figure it out together, one step at a time.”

The doctor, a kind-hearted woman with a reassuring smile, chimed in, “Congratulations, Serena. Pregnancy is a gift. You will experience the incredible wonders of motherhood.” Her words were meant to uplift, but they also sparked a flicker of fear within Serena.

As the medical staff filed out of the room, leaving the two friends in a bubble of intimacy, Alice’s brow furrowed with concern. “Are you going to tell him?” she asked, her tone cautious.

“No,” Serena replied, her frown deepening. The thought of Nathaniel knowing sent a wave of dread through her.

“But we live in the same city. Unless you plan on hiding at my apartment until the baby arrives, he’s going to find out eventually,” Alice pointed out, her practicality shining through.

Serena shook her head vehemently, her heart racing. “I don’t think he’d want to have kids with me.” The truth stung, but she couldn’t deny the reality of their fractured relationship. Yet deep down, she recognized that Alice was right. Eventually, Nathaniel would discover her secret. She was already three months along, and somehow, she had managed to keep it hidden, largely due to the drastic weight loss following her father’s arrest.

For now, she decided to postpone the inevitable revelation. She had already scheduled an appointment for a thorough evaluation of her pregnancy, a small step toward understanding the journey ahead.

As night fell, Serena found herself lost in thought, her mind racing with plans and possibilities. Everything had changed; she was pregnant and had to consider her future more seriously than ever before.

She accessed her joint account with Nathaniel, her fingers trembling slightly as she scrolled through the figures. Six million dollars stared back at her, a sum that felt both comforting and suffocating. Since their marriage, Nathaniel had consistently deposited a portion of his earnings into their shared account, ostensibly to cover their household expenses. Serena had rarely touched her own money, her salary from Kline BioSolutions nearing two million dollars, yet most of it remained untouched, like a forgotten relic of a past life.

Once, she had believed Nathaniel’s financial generosity was a testament to his love, a way of treating her like a queen. Now, the truth was painfully clear: it was merely a facade, a way to maintain the illusion of the perfect husband.

Her parents had bought into the illusion as well. Nathaniel’s lavish treatment extended not just to Serena but also to Victor and Roselind Kline, creating an image of a devoted son-in-law that was hard to shake.

After contemplating the stark reality of her financial situation, Serena spent hours online, searching for a way out. Finally, she stumbled upon an advertisement for a warehouse company selling its property. Though located on the outskirts, she saw potential; with Velmon City’s population steadily growing, it wouldn’t be long before the city expanded to encompass that area. She reached out to the agent who posted the ad, her heart pounding as she hoped for a positive response.

Serena’s delicate features contorted into a frown. “Why?” she pressed, confusion clouding her thoughts.

“You are overqualified,” Mrs. Lynch replied, her calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the whirlwind of emotions inside Serena.

“I appreciate your concern, but my qualifications do not lessen my commitment to this short-term consultancy,” Serena countered, her voice steady despite the rising tide of frustration. “I am eager to dedicate my full attention to this project to ensure its swift and complete execution.”

Mrs. Lynch hesitated, her expression softening. “Miss Kline… I know you quite well. I attended one of your lectures at Velmon State University College of Medicine, and I found you to be incredibly impressive.”

“Off the record,” Mrs. Lynch continued cautiously, “the Thornes have advised every private and public office in Velmon City to refrain from hiring you until your father’s criminal case is resolved. It’s not an official order—more like quiet pressure we can’t ignore.”

Serena’s heart sank as the words washed over her. An unofficial blacklist. The Thornes. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Anger bubbled within her, a fierce flame ignited by betrayal. How could Nathaniel do this to her?

Without a moment’s hesitation, Serena stormed out of the Public Health Service Office, her mind set on finding her ex-husband. It was surprisingly easy to locate him, her heart racing with a mix of fury and determination.