Weeks after that passionate night we shared, our love became deeper than ever. But one evening, everything almost fell apart. I was sitting with Mr. Raymond in his living room when I finally showed him the pregnancy test. My hands were shaking so much. "Mr. Raymond… I'm pregnant. We're going to have a baby."
At first his eyes lit up with happiness, but then his face changed. He looked worried. "Bella, this is wonderful news, but we have to be careful. The company is in a very important stage right now. People will talk badly about us. They might say I took advantage of you. Maybe we should keep it quiet for now. I can take care of you and the baby without everyone knowing."
His words felt like cold water on my heart. I stood up fast, tears already filling my eyes. "Quiet? You want to hide our baby like it's something to be ashamed of? After all the love we shared, after you told me I'm the woman who changed your life, now you want to keep us as a secret? If that's how you feel, maybe I should just go back to my old life and raise this child alone!"
Mr. Raymond looked shocked. He stood up too and tried to hold my hands, but I pulled away. "Bella, please don't say that. I love you more than anything. I'm only trying to protect you from the gossip and the pressure at work. You know how cruel people can be in this business world."
We argued for a long time that night. I cried and told him I didn't want our child to grow up feeling like a secret. He tried to explain, but I was too hurt and emotional. At one point I even said, "If you can't stand proudly with me and our baby, then maybe this love isn't as real as I thought." Those words hurt him deeply. I saw the pain in his eyes.
Finally, he pulled me gently into his arms and held me tight while I cried on his chest. "You're right, my love," he whispered. "I was being selfish and scared. I don't want to hide you or our baby. I want the whole world to know that you belong to me and I belong to you. Let's get married, Bella. Not in some faraway fancy place, but right at the company where our story started. Where you used to work as an ordinary staff. That way, everyone who knew the old you can see how far you've come and celebrate with us."
My heart softened immediately. I looked up at him and nodded. "Yes… I want that too. I want to marry you there."
We planned everything quickly. The wedding was fixed for the next month in the big conference hall of the company. When the news spread, the whole office became so happy. My old colleagues who used to ignore me now smiled and congratulated me every day. Some even cried with joy. The managers helped with decorations, and the cleaners who knew me from before kept saying how proud they were. It felt like the entire company was celebrating our love.
On the wedding day, I brought all my family members. My parents, my sister who used to wake me up every morning, and my younger siblings all came to New York for the first time. They were amazed by everything. My mother cried the moment she saw me in the beautiful white dress Mr. Raymond had chosen for me. "My daughter," she said, hugging me tightly, "you have suffered enough. God has finally blessed you with a good man."
My father was more serious. When Mr. Raymond came to greet them, dressed so nicely in his suit, my father asked him many questions. "Young man, do you truly love my daughter? She comes from a simple home and has worked very hard. Will you take good care of her and the child she is carrying?"
Mr. Raymond surprised everyone by kneeling down respectfully in front of my parents. "Sir, I love Bella with all my heart. She is not just my wife — she is my peace, my joy, and the mother of my child. I promise to protect her, provide for her, and make her happy every single day. I am not marrying her because of the baby. I am marrying her because she is the best thing that ever happened to me."
My mother smiled through her tears and my father nodded slowly. "We accept this marriage," my father said. "Take care of our daughter and our grandchild. She deserves all the happiness in the world."
The ceremony was simple but filled with so much joy. The hall was packed with staff from every department. When we said "I do," everyone clapped and cheered loudly. Some of my old coworkers wiped their eyes. My family sat in the front row looking so proud. Mr. Raymond kissed me softly in front of everyone and whispered, "You are now my wife, Mrs. Bella Raymond. I love you forever."
After the wedding, we had a small reception with plenty of food and music. Everyone danced and laughed together. My little siblings ran around playing with the flowers and balloons. My parents sat with Mr. Raymond for a long time, talking and laughing. He promised them he would visit our family home soon and even help with some things back there. The happiness in that hall was so real — it felt like a new beginning for all of us.
Later that evening, I stood with my husband by the big window, looking at the city lights. I gently rubbed my growing belly. Our baby was coming soon. Mr. Raymond held me from behind and kissed my neck softly. "This is only the beginning, Bella. Our family is growing. I can't wait to hold our child in my arms."
I smiled and leaned back into him, feeling complete and loved. But deep down, a small worry stayed in my heart. The pregnancy had been okay so far, but the doctor had mentioned some risks because of the hard life I lived before. What would really happen after I deliver the baby? Would everything stay this perfect, or would new challenges come? Only time would tell.
TBC