Alisha’s POV.

Standing in my small, cluttered kitchen, I stared at the ringing phone on the counter. My heart pounded as I saw the caller ID: it was Albert’s mother, Mrs. Henderson. A very stern woman I feared. The tension in my chest tightened like a vise. With a deep breath, I picked up the call, hoping it wouldn't be as bad as last time.

"Hello, Mrs. Henderson," I greeted, trying to sound cheerful but failing to mask the quiver in my voice.

"Alisha!," Mrs. Henderson's voice was sharp and cold, like a winter wind. "It’s the end of the month. Where’s my money? You haven’t given me my monthly allowance."

My stomach twisted into knots, a sickening feeling spreading through me. "I... I was about to send it, Mrs. Henderson. I promise."

"Do you think I can survive on promises? You will never get married if you continue with this behavior. You don’t need to be reminded about giving me my monthly allowance," Mrs. Henderson’s tone grew harsher, each word like a dagger.

“Mom, please forgive me. It’s nothing of that sort,” I said.

"How do you expect me to feed and take care of myself? If you’re so useless that you can't even send me the money on time, I’ll tell my son to call it quits with you. You’re of no use to us," Mrs. Henderson’s voice dripped with contempt.

My eyes welled up with tears, blurring my vision. "Please, Mrs. Henderson, don’t say that. I’ll send it right now. Just give me a moment."

"Fine," Mrs. Henderson snapped. "But this is the last time I’m warning you."

“Okay,” I shuddered.

"No wonder you’ve never been married," Mrs. Henderson added bluntly, her words cutting deeper than any knife.

As the call ended, my hands trembled violently. I quickly dialed my bank, my voice barely steady as I instructed them to transfer ten thousand dollars to Mrs. Henderson’s account. The moment I confirmed the transaction, I felt a wave of relief but also an overwhelming sadness. I sank into a chair, sobbing quietly, my shoulders shaking with each sob.

My mother, Abigail, walked into the room and immediately noticed my distress. Abigail was a graceful woman in her late fifties, with silver-streaked auburn hair pulled back into a neat bun. Her warm brown eyes, were clouded with worry. "Alisha, why do you look so stressed?" she asked gently, her eyes filled with concern.

I quickly wiped my tears and forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. "It’s nothing, Mom. Really, I’m fine."

Abigail walked over and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Sweetheart, you can’t hide everything from me. I know when something’s wrong. Was it Mrs. Henderson again?"

I scoffed. “Mrs. Henderson has always been kind to me. I’m just stuck up on other issues concerning work and business. It’s so depressing, I don’t know how much more I can take. I just need a break.”

Abigail wasn’t convinced. She sat down next to me, her eyes filled with concern and the weight of unsaid words. "What excuse will you have this year if Albert doesn’t marry you?”

“Mom, I’m no magician, okay? It only takes time. Albert and I are just taking things slow for the moment," I replied, my voice casual but laced with frustration as I tried to mask my growing anxiety.

“It’s been six years, Alisha. You’ve been taking things slow since then, but you’re turning thirty-five this year," Abigail said, her voice firm.

I gulped nervously and took a sip of water to steady myself. "I still have time, Mom. Vicky and Danielle aren’t married yet either."

"That’s no excuse. You are the eldest," Abigail replied, her tone brooking no argument. "Ivanna and Paris, who are younger than you, are already married. I think you should leave Albert. He’s up to no good."

"Mom, please," I said as I tried to hold back my tears. "I trust Albert. He’s different."

Abigail sighed deeply, her eyes softening with a mixture of frustration. "What about arranging a marriage for you? Or maybe you need spiritual cleansing.”

“Mom?!”

“Your love life is in chaos, Alisha. Remember a few years ago when we arranged a marriage for you, and the young man suddenly canceled without any explanation? Maybe you really need cleansing."

I laughed it off, though my heart felt heavy. "Mom, that was a long time ago. I trust Albert. I’ll prove to the whole family that he’s the one for me this summer."

But deep down, I was scared. The constant demands from Albert's mother and my own family’s pressure weighed heavily on me. I felt trapped, unable to share my true feelings with anyone. As I sat there, pretending everything was fine, I wondered how long I could keep up this facade.

I had been through six failed relationships since my thirties, and now I was with Albert, who had been promising me marriage for six years. Though it gave me hope, I was beginning to tire of the endless waiting. Despite my wealth, independence, and success in the business world, and being the eldest and first daughter of a reputable, wealthy family, this one piece of my life remained frustratingly out of reach.

After the conversation with my mother, I retreated to my room and closed the door behind me. I broke down in tears, the frustration pouring out of me in waves. Standing in front of the mirror, I stared at my reflection, my eyes red and puffy.

"This year, I'll get married," I whispered fiercely to myself. My eyes fell on the pregnancy test on the counter with the two red lines on it. Picking it up, I looked at it, lost in thought. I was pregnant.

"Wrinkly old hag," I muttered with a sad smile, trying to find some humor in my situation. "I hope you get married this year, too."

Determined to take control of my destiny, I packed my bags suddenly. I went downstairs where my family was gathered and announced, "Albert and I are going to spend the summer together."

My family looked at me, dumbfounded. My father, a tall, imposing man with silver hair and a stern expression, spoke first. "Alisha, aren’t you doing too much for a guy you’re not sure is going to marry you?"

"Nothing is too much for the man I love," I replied. I left the house, burying my frustration deep within my chest.

At the airport, I arrived early, my heart pounding as I dialed Albert’s number repeatedly. Each call went unanswered. I boarded the flight alone, clinging to a fragile hope that he would show up. But as the plane took off, the seat beside me remained empty. When I arrived at our family’s vacation house in Los Angeles, a wave of anger and disappointment washed over me.

That evening, Albert finally arrived. He kissed me lightly on the cheek, his demeanor casual. "Sorry, babe. I was busy with work," he said, as if his absence was inconsequential.

I kept silent, my disappointment palpable. As he tried to engage me in conversation, I moved to the bedroom and lay down, facing away from him, my mind churning with unanswered questions.

Later that night, as we lay in bed together, I couldn’t hold back my worries any longer. "Albert, we need to talk. It’s high time we set the wedding date."

"Alisha, can you ever be patient?" he sighed. "There’s no rush."

I turned to face him, my eyes filled with sadness and desperation. "I’ve already trusted you with my business and my wealth, Albert. I signed the inheritance papers under your name yesterday. I’m turning thirty-five this year, and I need kids with a family of my own. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me, taken care of your mom, and met all your family’s demands. What are we waiting for?"

Albert's response was cold and ungrateful. "It took you so long to sign the inheritance papers. I've been asking you for this for years, and now you want marriage easily? Who does that?!"

"Do you even love me?" I asked. "For six years, I’ve trusted you, but now I need to know."

Albert brushed me off, feigning annoyance. “We’ll talk about this later," he said, getting out of bed.

"Please, Albert," I pleaded. "I just need to know."

"Why do you always have to ruin my mood? You made me come down here to have a good time with you, but I don’t think it is going as planned, Alisha. I’m so disappointed in you," he said, turning away and heading for the door.

Desperate, I scrambled to put on something, my voice trembling as I called after him. "I’m sorry. Don’t leave me alone here. I’m just scared you’ll leave me one day. Please come back, so we can talk this out."

But he didn’t respond, his footsteps echoing in the hallway. I felt more alone than ever. I watched him go, the weight of my decisions pressing down on me, tears streaming down my face. How long could I keep hoping for a promise that seemed less likely to be fulfilled with each passing day?

Albert ignored me, walking outside. I followed, my pleas falling on deaf ears. When I stepped outside, I saw his sister Cassie standing beside the sleek, silver Porsche 911 Turbo S that I had bought for Albert on his birthday last week. Cassie, a petite woman with striking red hair and a haughty expression, smirked at me.

"Albert, I made you promise that you’d be the only person driving this car," I said, my voice laced with surprise and hurt. "Yet it’s in Cassie’s possession?"

Albert turned to me, his tone harsh. "I can’t do anything about it. Cassie is my sister. I can’t restrict her unless you have other unsaid motives."

Cassie sauntered up to me, her smirk widening. "Albert gave me the car, so it’s mine now, not his."

"And-You-Can’t-Do-Nothing-About-It," Cassie spelled out, each word a dagger to my heart.

I was shocked. "What? Don’t you dare talk to me like that, you bitch!" I raised my hand to slap Cassie, but Albert quickly caught my wrist, his face twisted in anger.

"If you keep this up, I’ll break up with you," he warned.

Terrified, I tried to reason with him. "Please, Albert, you know you can’t do this. You know how far we’ve come," I pleaded, my hand instinctively rubbing my belly.

But Cassie continued to ridicule me. "You really thought you could control everything, didn’t you? Look at you, begging. It’s pathetic."

Unable to keep my cool, I lunged at Cassie, pulling her hair. "You have no right to interfere in our relationship, Cassie! All this is happening just because of you!"

Albert, fed up, finally snapped and pushed me away from Cassie. "That’s it, Alisha. We’re done. I’m breaking up with you."

"No, please," I cried, dropping to my knees and clasping my hands. "I’m sorry. Please, don’t leave me. Please forgive me. Put yourself in my shoes, Albert."

"He’ll never wear those, you ugly bitch," Cassie sneered, slapping me and dragging me by the hair.

"I have always loved and respected you, and yet you dared to question my love for you? Isn’t the promise ring I gave you enough to prove my love for you, ungrateful bitch?" Albert shouted.

"I’m sorry, Honey. I promise this won’t ever happen again. Find a place in your heart to reconsider us. I know we would work. Let’s ignore everything like it didn’t happen and start over again. Tell me what you want to make it up to you. I’ll give you anything," I pleaded, my tear-streaked face buried in my hands as I crawled on my knees, clutching Albert’s hands.

“I want the vacation house,” Albert demanded, his finger pointing at the grand mansion, a scowl etched deeply on his face.

My mouth fell open in shock. “Honey, but this is my family’s house. I can’t give you this one. All my other properties are already in your name. Can’t you please manage with those? When I talk to my family about the house, I’ll give it to you immediately.”

My voice wavered as I tried to mask my frustration and desperation.

Albert kicked me off, his face a mask of cold indifference. "Enough! It’s over, Alisha. Get that through your empty skull," he said, getting into the car.

Cassie got behind the wheel, still smirking. "Goodbye, Alisha."

"Happy miserable life, old lady," Cassie added with a grin and a sarcastic little salute.

As the car drove away, I chased after it, my voice breaking with desperation. "No. No. This can’t happen. I’m going to lose everything. Albert!"

I was left kneeling on the driveway, tears streaming down my face as I held my belly tightly. I had already sacrificed so much for him, and yet it never seemed to be enough.

I watched as Albert and Cassie disappeared into the night, my heart shattered. The weight of my choices and misplaced trust crushed me, leaving me sobbing alone in the darkness.