SERAPHINA'S STOLEN HAPPINESS

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Seraphina sat quietly on the upholstered chair, her fingers tapping nervously against the surface of her small designer handbag. The bag matched her Forever twenty-one outfit perfectly, but she barely noticed how well put together she looked. Her attention was fixed on the thoughts racing through her mind.

She had been trying her best to distract herself from the possible outcome of the test results, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. Every passing minute seemed longer than the last.

Thankfully, the interior of the office offered a welcome distraction. Unlike the typical hospital setting, with its familiar health posters and calendars displaying information about women's reproductive health, the walls were tastefully decorated with elegant grid designs. Everything about the room felt warm and inviting, almost enough to make someone forget they were sitting in a hospital.

Almost.

Seraphina was at one of the most renowned obstetrics and gynaecology clinics in the city. It was the same facility she had been unable to afford three years ago, back when the thought of receiving treatment in such an exclusive establishment seemed like an impossible dream.

Life had certainly taken an unexpected turn since then. Fate had brought her into marriage with a wealthy and famous man, giving her access to privileges she once could only admire from a distance.

Yet, despite all the luxury surrounding her now, there was one thing money could not buy.

Peace of mind.

She shifted in her seat, glancing briefly at the closed door. She had been waiting for Dr. Bradford's consultation, and the anticipation was slowly getting the better of her.

What if the results confirmed her fears?

What if it was something serious?

She swallowed, trying to push the disturbing thoughts away.

Just then, the door opened.

Seraphina immediately straightened in her seat, her fingers freezing against her handbag.

An elderly woman walked into the office. She appeared to be in her mid-fifties, with a pleasant face and an air of experience that came naturally with years of medical practice. She wore a neatly pressed white medical coat, which she adjusted slightly before taking her seat behind the desk.

It was Dr. Bradford.

Seraphina watched her closely, hoping to find something reassuring in her expression. Unfortunately, the doctor's appearance did little to ease her anxiety. Her white coat, professional demeanour and the medical files in front of her only reminded Seraphina of why she was there in the first place.

However, her eyes were different.

There was a certain warmth in them that made Seraphina feel a little less uncomfortable.

Dr. Bradford settled into her chair, arranged the documents on her desk and looked up at her patient.

"There's no need to panic, Mrs. Alexander," she said gently, stretching a hand across the desk.

Seraphina stared at her for a moment.

The doctor's warm smile confused her. How could someone smile so pleasantly when she had spent the past few days struggling with thoughts she could barely put into words?

"Congratulations, Mrs. Alexander. You're two weeks pregnant."

For a moment, Seraphina simply stared at her.

"What?"

The word escaped her lips louder than she intended.

Of all the possible diagnoses she had imagined on her way to the hospital, pregnancy had been the last thing on her mind. She had prepared herself for almost anything, but certainly not that.

She blinked several times, hoping she had misunderstood.

"You're pregnant," Dr. Bradford repeated, her smile still intact.

Seraphina's lips parted, but no words came out.

The doctor studied her reaction, her expression gradually changing from excitement to mild curiosity. She had expected a different response, perhaps a smile, a happy gasp or even tears of joy. Instead, her patient looked as though she had just received the most shocking news of her life.

"You look surprised," Dr. Bradford remarked.

"Ahmm..." Seraphina began, struggling to find the right words.

She looked down at her handbag, then back at the doctor.

"You know, my husband and I planned to enjoy our marriage first," she explained, forcing out a small laugh. "We wanted to have some time for ourselves before thinking about having children."

Dr. Bradford chuckled.

"Oh, I see. You were trying to enjoy yourselves a little longer, weren't you. That's what younger couple do these days?" she teased, giving Seraphina a mischievous smile.

Seraphina managed a smile of her own, although it did not quite reach her eyes.

If only the doctor knew the truth.

If only she understood that there was nothing enjoyable about the situation she was trying so hard to explain away.

But how could she possibly tell a stranger that the circumstances surrounding her marriage were far from what anyone would imagine?

How could she explain that the news of a pregnancy, which should have been a blessing, had left her feeling more uncertain than excited?

There were things she could never discuss with just anyone, especially not within the walls of a hospital.

"Yes," she replied quietly, playing along with the doctor's assumption.

Dr. Bradford nodded in understanding.

"Well, that's perfectly understandable. Every couple has their own plans, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to spend some time together before starting a family."

Seraphina nodded, grateful that the conversation had not gone any further.

However, another concern quickly came to mind.

"There's something else, Doctor."

"Go ahead."

"My husband and I have been using contraception. So, I'm quite surprised that you are telling me I'm pregnant."

Her voice carried genuine confusion.

They had taken precautions. She had believed they were doing everything necessary to prevent an unexpected pregnancy. Yet here she was, sitting in a specialist's office, being told that she was going to have a baby.

How had that happened?

Dr. Bradford leaned back slightly in her chair.

"Well, Mrs. Alexander, no contraceptive method is completely effective. Even methods with high success rates can fail under certain circumstances. Condoms, for instance, are barrier methods that help prevent pregnancy, but they can still fail if they break, slip or are not used correctly."

Seraphina listened carefully, although her thoughts were already running ahead of the explanation.

"So, you're saying..." She paused, trying to put her thoughts together.

"That there was a possibility the contraception failed?"

"Exactly. It happens more often than people realise. Using contraception significantly reduces the chances of pregnancy, but it doesn't eliminate them entirely."

Seraphina slowly nodded.

She looked down at her hands, rubbing her thumb against her fingers.

There was something she needed to ask, something that had suddenly become more important than the surprise of the pregnancy itself.

"Doctor, does that mean..." She hesitated.

Dr. Bradford waited patiently.

"Does it mean there could be something wrong with the baby?"

The question came out almost in a whisper.

She raised her eyes to meet the doctor's.

"I mean, since we were trying to prevent the pregnancy and the contraception somehow failed, I just want to be sure. I hope my baby won't develop any kind of malformation?"

For the first time since entering the office, her voice revealed just how frightened she was.

Whatever her feelings about the pregnancy, the possibility of something being wrong with the child was not something she wanted to contemplate.

Dr. Bradford's expression softened.

"There's no reason to assume that, Mrs. Alexander. A contraceptive failure does not automatically mean that your baby will have a birth defect or any form of malformation. You shouldn't blame yourself or worry unnecessarily."

She paused before continuing.

"Many women conceive unexpectedly, even when they have taken precautions. What matters now is that you begin the appropriate antenatal care and attend your appointments. We will monitor your pregnancy as it progresses."

Seraphina let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, dear. At this point, there's no indication from what you've told me that anything is wrong. Just make sure you follow the medical advice given to you. Everything will be assessed properly as your pregnancy develops."

"Okay."

Seraphina nodded, feeling a little more relieved.

Dr. Bradford reached for a white envelope lying on her desk and handed it to her.

"Your results are inside. It contains the findings from your investigations, including the ultrasound report, which supports the pregnancy assessment."

Seraphina accepted the envelope with both hands.

For a few seconds, she simply stared at it. The hospital's logo was printed neatly on the front, but there was nothing else to identify what was inside.

It was strange how something so small could carry news capable of changing her entire life.

A baby.

Her eyes dropped to the envelope again.

Perhaps this was not entirely bad.

Maybe, just maybe, this pregnancy would change things between her and her husband. Perhaps it would give them a reason to look beyond the walls they had built around themselves. Maybe the arrival of a child would bring them closer in ways they had never managed to achieve on their own.

She knew it was wishful thinking, but she couldn't help holding on to the possibility.

After all, what woman wouldn't want a happy marriage?

What woman wouldn't want to feel loved by the man she called her husband?

Seraphina's lips curved into a faint smile.

Perhaps this was the turning point she had been waiting for.

"Thank you, Dr. Bradford," she said, rising from her seat.

"You're welcome, Mrs. Alexander. And congratulations once again."

"Thank you."

"Remember to take good care of yourself. I'll see you at your next appointment."

Seraphina nodded.

"I will."

She tucked the envelope carefully into her handbag, making sure it was secure before adjusting the strap on her shoulder.

As she walked towards the door, her thoughts had already drifted to her husband.

She couldn't wait to tell him.

Their second wedding anniversary was approaching, and suddenly, she had found the perfect way to make the occasion memorable.