“MJ’S BIRTHDAY”

The party was private, so there weren't many guests. Our parents, Andrew's and mine, didn't make it either because they were busy with their businesses. Besides, well, I didn't really insist on them coming home. It might lead to a confrontation with Marius, who my parents don't even know, to be honest.

Dad was upset when I told them about my pregnancy. I'm really close to him. Of course, being a girl, I'm his princess. That was his only deep-seated resentment when I told him and Mom about my pregnancy.

But eventually, they also accepted everything.

Eventually, they became my pillars of support, aside from Calum, who was with me at home, and Andrew, my brother.

Of course, my parents were present when I gave birth. And I saw in their faces the overwhelming joy when they laid eyes on MJ.

Everything is now fine, and I'm just waiting for one person during those moments. Marius. I know he's on his way. That's why I couldn't sit still during those moments.

"Relax," Calum leaned down and whispered to me.

I turned to my friend and automatically smiled at him. I was in that state when from the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar face enter the hall, causing my heart to beat faster. It was none other than Marius.

*****

It was as if a huge sledgehammer struck Marius's chest when he saw her and came face-to-face with her. His head quickly heated up, and intense jealousy consumed his heart. He stood still for a moment, seemingly stunned, as he watched the woman he had longed to see again for so long.

He didn't know how to react in those moments. He was caught off guard. He truly wasn't prepared for that situation.

He wasn't prepared for everything he was feeling right now. That's what he meant at that very moment.

It's true that Sam invited Marius, and it wasn't a surprise to him. Meaning he should have been ready. But that wasn't how he felt in those moments. He wasn't ready. That was the truth. That's why he's angry now.

"Marius," a voice pulled him back to reality.

In an instant, in a brief moment, Sam managed to transport him to another dimension. And that only intensified the mixed feelings of irritation and jealousy that were dominating his heart at that moment.

"Lana," he smiled at his friend, then leaned down to kiss her on the cheek.

"Come on, let's go. I'll accompany you," Lana said kindly, giving him a meaningful look that conveyed what she meant.

He nodded and returned his gaze to Sam. In those moments, she was still with that man. While the man acted as if he were someone important, carrying their child!

"Are you okay?" Lana asked him, momentarily unaware that he was being watched.

"No, I am not fucking okay," he whispered in response, not hiding the irritation in his voice as he glanced angrily at Sam and the man she was with.

He heard Lana release a soft laugh before she spoke again.

"Get yourself together and control your emotions. It's your child's birthday. And take note, it's his first birthday, and this is the first time you're meeting him. So you should behave and not create a scene. Remember that you're the CEO of a big construction firm. Okay?" Lana reminded him in a tone that was both cautionary and supportive.

After hearing all of that from his friend, Marius just glanced at her. Then, he took a deep breath and slowly released it. Following Lana's advice, he composed himself. Although he couldn't ignore the intense surge of nerves in his chest at that moment,.

Perhaps sensing their approach, Sam immediately turned to look at them. She was still so beautiful. Even from a distance, he could catch her new fragrance, which he found quite pleasant despite being unfamiliar to his senses. It was so smooth.

However, on the other hand, he couldn't deny the pang of heartache he felt. Especially when he saw Sam smile at him.

In truth, he should be happy. Sam smiled at him. But that wasn't how he felt. He was hurting now, and that was the truth.

It hurts him to see that Sam seems to be okay, as if she has moved on. While he hasn't.

He knows that feeling selfish is wrong. But he can't help it because that's how he truly feels. He's just being honest.

"Selfish as it may be., I realize I can't bear to see you happy with someone else. because I love you."

The other part of his mind was filled with bitterness and toxicity, while his heart carried deep pain. And he couldn't deny it.

"Sam, Marius is here." Lana's voice reached him as they finally approached her.

Sam then faced him with a smile and extended her hand to him.

He didn't know what happened or why it seemed like she had moved on so quickly from everything that had happened between them.

"How are you?" she asked, extending her hand towards him.

*****

I held my breath as Marius accepted my handshake. I've been restless since earlier. And I also know that he saw me with Calum. He saw the smiles I exchanged with him. He saw everything, and I saw from the corner of my eye that he was angry.

In those moments, I thought about happiness. Perhaps, if I'm lucky, everyone will understand me. What Marius did to me was too painful. He wanted to make me pay for the supposed "sin" done to him by my brother. Just because he loved my sister-in-law. And my sister-in-law chose my brother. And then there's me. I remained silent. Living peacefully. I was busy managing businesses when he suddenly approached me. He wooed me. Made me fall in love repeatedly. Got me pregnant. Only for me to find out that it was all a lie? Who wouldn't be hurt? Who, as a woman, would be happy?

Which woman wouldn't have her trust shattered?

So now, I can say vengeance is justifiable. And I will get back at him, but I won't use the same tactics he used on me. I will use a strategy that I know will truly hurt him. And that is to make him jealous.

It may be wrong, but I'm only human and prone to mistakes.

"We have a lot to talk about, Samantha Scott," Marius replied, staring at me intensely.

I could feel the anger in his tone directed towards me. I can't blame him for that part. I kept our child away from him.

"Yeah, I understand. Anyway, thank you for coming," I replied, keeping my tone casual again. But in my heart, I couldn't deny the longing for the man in front of me.

Marius didn't respond. Instead, he focused his attention on Calum, who was currently chatting with some guests while still carrying MJ.

I saw Marius raise and lower his chest as he stared at my friend, who had his back turned to him.

"Who is he? Your boyfriend? He's handsome, I must say," Marius said in succession before releasing a faint yet sarcastic laugh.

"His name is Calum; he's my best friend. He's been in my life long before I met you. He's MJ's godfather, and he took care of me when I needed someone," I calmly explained each word. But I made sure they pierced even the deepest part of his heart.