Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 413: Unwanted Wife (1)
Ayla groaned as she sat up from her bed; her bulging stomach was making it hard for her to find a comfortable position. She rubbed her swollen belly, feeling the weight of the baby pressing against her organs. As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, she couldn’t help but wonder how much longer she had to endure this discomfort before finally meeting her little one.
She hadn’t seen her husband for months, and she wondered if Alistair would show up once she went into labor. The thought of facing childbirth alone made her anxious, but she held onto the hope that he would be there to support her.
She went to the bathroom to wash up before having breakfast and frowned as she saw her reflection in the mirror. Her once radiant complexion now appeared tired and worn, with dark circles under her eyes. The toll of pregnancy was evident on her face. She gained much weight over the past few weeks, ruining the figure she had worked so hard to maintain as an actress.
When she went downstairs, she found Stella arranging a flower vase on the dining table. Stella noticed her expression and gently asked if everything was alright. With a sigh, Ayla shook her head and sat on the couch, feeling defeated.
With her head in her hands, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment and frustration. Ayla had always prided herself on her physical appearance, and now she felt like she had lost control over her body. The constant exhaustion and physical changes were taking a toll on her self-esteem, leaving her longing for the days when she felt confident and in control.
"I’m fine, Stella. Is there any news when Alistair will return from his business trip?"
She hated that Stella had more information about her husband’s whereabouts than her, but she couldn’t ask him directly. It seemed to her that Alistair had forgotten her existence since she got pregnant. Not a single word or call from him in weeks. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was intentionally avoiding her or simply didn’t care anymore.
The uncertainty and lack of communication only added to her growing sense of isolation and despair, as Stella was the only one from the Han family to take care of her. Stella was her husband’s stepmother, and although she had always been kind to her, there was still a lingering feeling of being an outsider in the family. Stella tried her best to offer support but could not make up for Alistair’s absence.
Stella shook her head and looked at Ayla with pity. She knew her stepson was forced to marry her, but she hadn’t expected that he would treat Ayla harshly.
"I’m afraid I don’t have the answer to your question, Ayla. I haven’t seen nor heard news about Alistair these days, but I’ll ask my husband. He probably knows where Alistair is. It is also about time he showed up, given that you are nearing your due date." Stella sighed, hoping Alistair would return soon to support Ayla during this crucial time.
Ayla’s frown deepened, but she didn’t say more. She would be lucky if Alistair decided to show up once she gave birth, but she cannot help but think he would be mostly absent throughout the early years of their child’s life. Ayla had learned to rely on herself and her support system, knowing she would have to be strong for herself and her baby.
It took only a short time before the breakfast was served, but Ayla had no appetite. She pushed her plate away, her mind too preoccupied with thoughts of Alistair and the future to focus on eating. Ayla knew that she needed to stay nourished for the sake of her baby, but the weight of uncertainty made it difficult to swallow even a single bite.
"Is the food not to your liking?" Stella asked worriedly. She knew Ayla was starting to get conscious of her body, but not eating enough could affect her baby’s health.
Stella had seen Ayla’s appetite decline over the past few weeks and was concerned about her well-being. She gently touched Ayla’s arm and said, "You need to take care of yourself, Ayla. Your baby needs you to be strong and healthy."
Ayla sighed and looked down at her plate, feeling a mix of guilt and frustration. "I know, Stella," she replied softly. "But every time I try to eat, I feel nauseous and uncomfortable. It’s like my body is rejecting food. I feel like and look like a whale now. No wonder Alistair refuses to see me."
"That’s not true, Ayla," Stella reassured her. "Alistair might be caught up with work. You know how the company suffered lately, right? It wasn’t easy for him to convince the investors not to pull out. He’s probably just overwhelmed and needs some time to himself."
Ayla didn’t believe that. There was no way Alistair was genuinely concerned for her. If anything, she was certain that Alistair only wanted her to give birth to their child so that he could have an heir to inherit his wealth and continue his family legacy. She couldn’t help but feel like her worth was solely tied to her ability to bear children, making her feel bitter when she thought about it.
She had always been an independent and ambitious woman, and the idea of being reduced to a mere vessel for Alistair’s desires infuriated her. Ayla knew she wasn’t the wife he wanted but a means to an end. It became clear to her that their relationship was built on shallow foundations, lacking the genuine love and respect she had always longed for.
Thinking about it, Ayla couldn’t help but regret forcing him into marriage. She should have listened to her mother’s words when she warned her about tricking Alistair into marrying her. She had been oblivious to his true intentions because of her own desire to be with him.
