I Met My Husband's Pregnant Fiancée – Story of the Day

Lana is crushed when she bumps into her husband outside the grocery store and discovers he's engaged to his obviously pregnant mistress. She hops into a cab and ends up at the mercy of the handsome driver, who takes her on a life-changing journey.

The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as Lana moved aimlessly through the grocery store, her mind clouded. She absentmindedly placed items in her cart.

As she turned a corner, Lana's eyes caught the bold headline of a magazine: "The Silent Battle: Recognizing Depression." Her heart quickened, and she picked up the magazine, scanning the symptoms. It was like reading her own struggles on paper.

Feeling disconnected from her usual interests, Lana roamed the store, the hum of conversation and clinking of shopping carts a distant hum. She couldn't shake off the feeling that her life was slipping through her fingers.

In the checkout line, Lana piled groceries onto the conveyor belt, the weight of the items mirroring the burden on her shoulders. She selected a chocolate bar, her only indulgence, then hesitated, guilt creeping in. Do I even deserve this?

As Lana approached the road, hoping to hail a cab quickly, the realization hit her: she had spent more time wandering the store than she'd intended. She sighed, wondering when time had become such a slippery adversary.

A sudden jolt interrupted her thoughts, and Lana stumbled, groceries crashing to the pavement. A gasp escaped her as she looked up to see Zane, her husband, standing with another woman—a woman with a telltale glow and a sizable engagement ring.

Zane's eyes widened. "Lana? What are you doing here?"

With a condescending smile, the other woman added, "Maybe she's finally realized she can't give you what I can."

Lana felt the weight of intuition pressing on her chest. "What's happening, Zane?"

He scoffed, "I'm not explaining anything to you. Go home and make dinner or something useful."

"She's pregnant!" Lana exclaimed, pointing at the woman at his side.

"Just pick up the groceries, go home, and make me dinner, okay?" he snapped.

Lana's eyes stung. "This is over, Zane. I won't be treated like this."

As she walked away, the other woman's parting words lingered, "You should learn your place, Lana."

The roar of an approaching car caught Lana's attention. A cab pulled up beside her, and the window rolled down, revealing a seemingly friendly cab driver—his expression softening at her distress. "Need a ride, miss?"

Lana hesitated, glancing back at the store. "I don't know where I'm going."

He offered a reassuring smile. "Sometimes the best journeys start without a destination."

Swallowing her trepidation, Lana entered the taxi, her pulse racing. Unexpectedly, the driver took a different route, the cityscape soon giving way to wooded trails, but Lana didn't see anything until the buildings were gone.

"Where are you taking me?" Lana asked after a long time.

"To a place where I found solace in the darkest times." His response was cryptic yet comforting.

The taxi traversed deeper into the woods, Lana's unease growing with every passing mile. "I need to call someone."

She reached for her phone, but no signal bar dared to appear. Panic surged within her. "Why are we here? What do you want?"

He pulled over near a secluded cabin. "I want nothing from you," he shook his head. "Out there, that's where my life changed. Maybe it's where you find what you need, too."

Fear mingled with curiosity, as I got out of the car and followed him. We reached a tree stump with a pretty heavy axe.

"Listen, I've got a ring; it's genuine gold with a real diamond. It's worth a lot of money," she began, finally realizing that getting into a cab and letting a stranger drive her somewhere strange was the stupidest idea ever. "I can call my husband. He also has a lot of money."

"Does he?" the taxi driver asked. "I thought he was leaving you for that pregnant lady."

"What? You heard that?" Lana asked, confused.

"Yes," he confirmed, a slight grin. "Here, take this axe. Chop some wood. It'll make you feel better."

She struggled with disbelief, but in her state of vulnerability, Lana complied. As she swung the axe, the sound echoed through the quiet woods. She felt more than saw birds taking flight from their trees, which was more liberating than expected.

"Come with me," the cab driver said, his smile more evident.

"Why did you bring me here?" Lana's voice trembled.

He led her to the cabin's railing, pointing at a lone pine tree. "That tree, right there, was where I contemplated ending everything. I was… in a similar position to yours. My wife cheated with my old boss. We had been together since we were little."

Lana's breath caught in her throat. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because," his voice softened, "I understand the darkness you're feeling. I'm not saying you're suicidal like I was. But I chose to live, move on, and see the beauty beyond my pain."

Her defenses softened. "I'm sorry for your pain. Why do people hurt the ones that love them the most?" she wondered, breathing in the delicious, wood-scented air.

He shared more of his story, the betrayal, the despair, and the eventual embrace of hope. Lana listened, feeling an unexpected connection through their shared pain.

"You like the forest?"

"I didn't think I would," Lana confessed. "But there's something amazing about getting away from the city."

He nodded sagely. "Let's take a walk."

A peculiar calm settled over her as Lana, and the stranger walked through the woods. She noticed the gentle rustle of leaves, the soft hum of the forest, and the play of sunlight filtering through the trees. Nature seemed to envelop them in its embrace, offering solace she hadn't felt in ages.

"Thank you for bringing me here," Lana said, breaking the silence.

He glanced at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "You needed something different. And I needed to show you something."

They ventured deeper into the forest, the stranger pointing out the wonders around them. His voice held a quiet reverence as he explained the significance of various plants and trees, drawing Lana's attention to the beauty hidden within nature's simplicity.

Lana stopped to admire a cluster of wildflowers as they meandered along a winding trail. "It's breathtaking." But I shouldn't be here. I need to go home. Fix my marriage. Get divorced. Whatever.

He nodded, his eyes reflecting a deep appreciation for the beauty of the forest. "Nature has a way of healing us, showing us that life endures despite hardships."

They continued their stroll. A bird's cheerful melody echoed through the trees, lifting Lana's spirits in its sweet chorus. I don't want to go back.

The sun began its slow descent, casting an ethereal glow across the forest. Shafts of light danced through the foliage, painting the landscape in hues of gold and amber.

"It's stunning," Lana murmured, captivated by the shifting colors.

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the changing scenery. "This is my world. It's not grand, but it's filled with marvels."

They reached a serene, picturesque clearing where sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. Lana stood beside him, taking in the tranquil vista.

"It's like stepping into a different realm," Lana whispered, awed.

He gave her a knowing smile, gesturing toward a rotting log near them. "Come, see."

Lana approached the log, her eyes widening at the sight of young saplings sprouting. She marveled at the resilience of life, new growth emerging from decay.

"It's a symbol," he said softly. "Of life finding its way, even in the darkest places."

Her lips curved into a smile, a glimmer of hope kindling within her. "Maybe there's hope for me too."

As they made their way back to the cabin, things changed. A charge ran through Lana's skin the closer they got to the cozy embrace of the rustic tiny house. She started talking again, and their tones turned flirtier...more intense. This shouldn't be happening. I'm married. Well, Zane didn't care.

When they reached the door, the cab driver looked into her eyes, and silently, Lana gave him permission to do anything. He chuckled and closed the gap between them, his body pressing against hers as he kissed her. They slowly entered the house, their body never separating. The bed was nearby, fortunately, or Lana feared they wouldn't have walked much further before their electricity got too potent.

***

"How about you come with me to Brazil?" the cab driver, Jared, asked. They were outside enjoying the sunrise while drinking coffee. She had finally asked his name after they lay in bed panting, but they got distracted quickly afterward.

It was the craziest night of her life – being with a complete stranger – but also the best. However, going to Brazil with him seemed like too much. What will my parents say?

"I'll have to think about it."

"Of course," Jared smiled. "I'll make us some breakfast." Lana watched his body return to the house while his invitation lingered in her mind like an elusive melody, tempting yet unnerving. But the thought of leaving everything behind was daunting.

It's time to go back and face my real life. Her hand trembled as she reached for the phone, Zane's number at her fingertips. With a deep breath, Lana dialed, her heart pounding in her chest. His gruff voice crackled through the line. "What is it?"

"It's me," Lana began. "I need you to pick me up. I'm at a cabin in the woods." She rattled off her strange location, which wasn't that far from the city. Jared had explained the area late into the night. Lana had just been too worried, too hurt to notice much.

Lana went inside to change into her clothes. Jared watched, not saying a word as he concentrated on breakfast. They remained silent, and he started eating, inviting her over. But Lana shook her head. When the distant sound of Zane's car finally approached, Lana's pulse quickened.

She stepped outside, meeting Zane's contemptuous glare. "What's with this drama, Lana?"

"I thought..." Lana faltered.

"Thought what?" Zane scoffed. "That you'd come to this far place and get me to beg you to come back? I came here because I need you to go home and act like everything is normal. My parents and your parents can't find out about this."

"Excuse me?"

"Just get in the car!" he demanded.

A flash of anger ignited within her. She held out her hand, the glint of her wedding ring catching Zane's eye. "I'm done with this, Zane."

A sneer curled his lip. "Like you have better options."

Her breath hitched, but something shifted inside her.

"Actually, I do." Lana's voice held a firmness she didn't know she possessed. She took a step closer, her hand trembling as she raised it to Zane's face.

With determination burning in her eyes, Lana flung the ring toward Zane, the metallic piece bouncing off his cheek. "I'm done playing this game."

Turning away from Zane's sputtering, Lana marched back into the cabin, her heart pounding with adrenaline. I'm free.

Jared stood there, waiting, his eyes filled with a silent understanding. Lana met his gaze, her heart fluttering for the first in many years.

"Ready for a new adventure?" Jared asked softly.

Lana hesitated for a moment, her old life receding behind her, and then, with a resolute nod, she stepped toward Jared. "Yes. Let's go." Their mouths met in a searing kiss. Rio de Janeiro, here I come!

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