Painful Deception

“Hello Darlings,” Mark’s mother droned out as she greeted them. Jacky wrapped her sweater around her body more snugly, not only because it was cold but also to hide her belly.

“Mother, how have you been?” Mark asked as he kissed her cheek.

“Fine, dear. Jacqueline, how nice it is to see you,” Caroline said, turning her head to face her.

“And you Caroline,” Jacky replied softly.

“Oh it’s quite chilly out, let’s get inside,” Caroline said, taking Jacky’s hand and leading her inside. Jacky was amazed every time she stepped into the house. It was massive, it looked like a small castle but what she really like about it was the beauty of it. The intricate iron and woodwork on the front door, the beauty of the marble in the front entry and the beautiful gold leaf on the ceiling. And then there was the artwork. Mark’s family had been collecting beautiful artwork for over five centuries.

“Let’s go into the parlour for a spot of tea, I daresay I haven’t spoken with you two in ages,” she said, looking over at Jacky with a smile on her face; Jacky returned it out of habit.

When she first met Caroline, she liked her instantly. It was her calm voice and demeanor and the way she always looked prepared. Her black hair was heavily streaked with gray and was always pulled back into a bun; Jacky had never seen a hair out of place. She had striking green eyes and strong brows that led to a straight nose and thin lips. She looked like a woman who was fiercely independent and didn’t deal with nonsense. Which is why when Jacky came to tell her how Mark treated her, she was surprised when the older woman told her that sometimes a wife had to lay down her whims for her husband and that maybe Mark’s abusive behavior was because Jacky didn’t satisfy and treat him right. Since that conversation, Jacky no longer looked at her the same way and she tried to talk and spend as less time with her as she possibly could.

Everyone settled down in the parlour, with Caroline in the leather wingback near the fireplace and Jacky and Mark on the sofa with his hand resting on her trouser-clad thigh; she crossed her legs to try to remove his hand but he just glanced at her and squeezed it so hard she was sure it would bruise.

“Now Jacqueline, you take your tea with just one sugar, correct?” Caroline asked.

“Yes, thank you,” she replied, taking the small teacup and saucer and taking a sip.

“Now, are you two going to tell me or am I going to have to ask?” Caroline said smiling at her son and his wife, confusion was etched on both faces. “Oh don’t look at me like that. When is Jacky due with my first grandchild?” she asked knowingly, and looking pointedly at Jacky. Jacky felt her palms start to sweat. How could she tell? She had worn loose clothes, she hadn’t rubbed her belly, and she looked over at Mark who furrowed his brow at her for a moment, then proceeded to answer his mother.

“No mother, Jacky isn’t pregnant yet,“ he said. Caroline shook her head, “Nonsense, look at her. She’s put on weight, her belly is round, and her face is glowing. Of course she’s pregnant,” Caroline said. She looked from Mark to Jacky.

“Honestly dear, did you really not know that you’re pregnant? It’s obvious even to me; I suppose it adds up, this being your first pregnancy and all,” she said absentmindedly. Mark looked over and glared at Jacky, before wrapping his hand around her wrist and pulling her up.

“Excuse us mother.” Caroline nodded her head and started busying herself with a biscuit.

Jacky felt her eyes tear up as she was led out of the room, and as soon as he reached the washroom he threw the door open and pushed her in, closing the door behind him. She looked up at him timidly, waiting for him to say something. Instead he just stared at her for a few moments before walking up and throwing her sweater open and pulling up her t-shirt. Jacky fought the urge to cover her stomach protectively and looked at his face, an unreadable expression on his face. She flinched when he reached a hand out to rest on her belly, she couldn’t stop the instinct of protecting herself and her baby from him.

Mark looked over at Jacky while his mother asked him when a baby was due. When his mother asked he noticed that she blanched and her eyes widened in what he could only say was surprise and a bit of fear. The whole time his mother was talking and providing evidence for her argument, he couldn’t help feel angry as well as a feeling that didn't normally come up when he thought about Jacky: Affection.

While he stared at her belly, he could clearly see what wasn’t apparent before. Her belly was rounder and it stuck out, he couldn’t help reaching out and touching it surprised at its tautness. He hadn’t noticed her new body because he had simply stopped touching her; he had met a woman on his business trip and their physical relationship continued when he got back home. He was relieved that he hadn’t fucked her, he knew something would have happened to his child. It was odd to say that; his child. He always imagined it but somehow now that it was actually here it was odd. But as soon as the tender feelings arised, his anger flew back into him. How dare she lie to him about this? He had been asking her for two months about her monthlies and she said that she had them, he even asked the maids and they said that there was proof of it in the wastebaskets.

Jacky looked on with a fearful interest as Mark’s facial descriptions changed, from confusion, to awe and wonder, than as his eyes met hers anger. “You’ve lied to me for the past months Jacqueline,” he said.

“I didn’t know, I bled, I thought it was my monthly,” she said weakly. It wasn’t all the way a lie, there was spotting throughout the four months.

“Don’t insult my intelligence, Jacqueline! Your stupidity could have cost me my heir!” he barked. She felt her temper flare; she would have cost him his heir?

“Excuse me, Mark, but the last time I checked you were the one who beat me bloody on a weekly basis! So if anyone could be blamed for me miscarrying, it would be you!” she hissed.

He stared at her for a moment, his mouth slightly opened in disbelief. “How dare you talk to me like that you bitch!” he hissed back. His hands raised and he looked ready to strike her, she raised an eyebrow challengingly;

“You’re just proving me right.” She never talked to him like that before, but she couldn’t take it anymore. He dropped his hands and grabbed her by the shoulders.

“If you weren’t pregnant, I swear to god I would beat until you couldn’t talk back for days,” he seethed, digging his nails into her shoulders. She winced, but eventually registered what he had just said. As long as she was pregnant, he wouldn’t hurt her. She didn’t trust the theory entirely but she couldn’t help but feel like she, for once, had a bit of power in her marriage. She wouldn’t test it too much. She loved the baby growing in her womb, but she would try to get what she wanted. She shook his hands off of her and opened the door, not looking back and never faltering as he called her name.

A/N: So Jacky is beginning to see the perks of her pregnancy. In the next chapter maybe Harry will make an appearance. Isn’t Mark’s mother horrible for saying that to her! Expect the next chapter tomorrow or maybe just later tonight. Read & Review!

_Thanks, Naimahfosho