Chapter 1: Cast Aside

Her hand shook as she received the report from the gynaecologist. June Trevor had felt sick for the past few weeks, but she barely had the time to take care of herself.

Her husband, Rauf Salvador, was scheduled to have his eye surgery after five years, and she had dedicated every second to helping with the preparation.

Five years of their marriage and five years of him being in darkness.

She was only able to come and check herself now that he was in the recovery room and waiting to see if the surgery was successful or not.

"You don’t need to be nervous, Mrs Salvador. I assure you that the result will bring a smile to your face."

June nodded. The only thing that could bring a smile to her face was Rauf gaining his sight back. She knew how badly he wanted to see her. He murmured that every night they made love. He would trace his hand over her body, claiming that he was trying to get her exact shape.

Slowly, June opened the report.

Her eyes moved over the words, and her hand flew directly to her stomach. "You mean there’s a life in me right now?"

The gynaecologist laughed. "I told you, Mrs Salvador. This news will bring you joy. Congratulations, you are four weeks gone."

The fear that June felt was instantly replaced with a wide smile.

A child.

One that belonged to her and Rauf.

A child that would cement her position as Mrs Salvador. Rauf would be so glad when he finally regained his sight and discovered that she, his wife, was carrying his child.

Though, he might first be disappointed that she wasn’t Amie, her stepsister, but after seeing the report, he should be able to accept her.

Considering their relationship now.

Five years ago, her stepsister was engaged to be married to Rauf Salvador, the Mafia Lord everyone feared. It was worse because her family was in his debt, and the only way he would overlook it was through a marriage alliance with the Trevors.

But, a few days before the wedding, Rauf was involved in a tragic accident which accidentally took his sight.

Amie refused to be married to an imbecile, her word. She refused to be a caretaker, and she ran away from home before the wedding could take place.

With their family honor and life on the line, her stepmother, Freda Trevor, and father, Samir Trevor, begged her to take Amie’s position. A refusal might lead to Rauf’s gang wiping out their whole family.

At first, June had refused, but her stepmother cried, holding her arms and claiming that she would be the reason the whole family got wiped out.

June accepted.

And since then, she hadn’t regretted it.

Rauf was her dream husband. He was everything she could ask for in a husband.

Gladly, she thanked the gynaecologist and headed towards the ophthalmology department.

Her hand rested on the report, and she thought of the best way to break it to Rauf that she, June, was the wife he had married five years ago and not Amie.

The closer she got to his room, the more she started hearing voices. Sounds of laughter filled the hall, and a smile tugged on her lips.

Her family must be here to congratulate him. If they were laughing, it meant Rauf’s surgery was a success.

She stepped into the room, and everyone turned towards her.

They all went silent, but that didn’t bother her.

What bothered her was Amie seated on the bed with a plate of food, feeding Rauf while he opened his mouth eagerly for her.

Without waiting for an explanation, she moved towards them. "What are you doing?" Her question was directed at Amie.

But it was Rauf who looked up at her and blinked. "Who is she?" He asked Amie.

June could hear the sound of her heart breaking.

Who was she?

She was the woman who had been by his side for five years. The woman he had promised to protect with everything he had once he regained his sight.

Amie waved casually. "Nobody. I’m sure you won’t remember my elder sister."

Rauf raised an eyebrow, his handsome face lit with confusion. "Oh, she came to celebrate with us just like the rest of the family."

June blinked.

What was he talking about?

And more importantly, when did Amie arrive? Ever since she left home five years ago, no one had heard from her, and now that Rauf could see again, she was suddenly here.

June turned to her parents, expecting them to support her.

Then Rauf spoke again. "Come on, darling. I’m hungry."

Amie looked at June with a satisfied, smug expression before dipping another spoon of food into his mouth.

At that moment, June felt like she was in a bad dream that she refused to wake from. She turned towards Rauf. "She’s not your wife. I am."

Slap.

June clutched her ear and watched her stepmother move back. "I already told you times without number, June. You can’t go around claiming your sister’s husband is yours. That’s barbaric."

But June wasn’t ready to give up. "But he’s my husband."

Amie dropped the plate of food. "Sister, I know you have always had a crush on my husband, but it’s wrong to claim him as yours."

Rauf looked around, confused.

What was this lady talking about?

"How could you be my wife when I don’t even know you?" His tone was low, like he couldn’t even be bothered to raise his voice at her.

The others’ words had no effect on her like Rauf’s did. "Let me explain, Rauf. Five years ago..."

But she was cut off by him. "I don’t care what happened to you five years ago." His gaze flicked to Amie. "It’s been five years, and I am finally able to see the love of my life. Do you think I’ll spend the day listening to a nobody?"

June froze.

Was this the man who had promised to protect her with everything?

"But..."

Before she could continue, Rauf clapped twice.

Two of his bodyguards appeared.

"Sir."

He pointed at June as if she were a fly disturbing his peace. "I want this woman out of my room."