"Honey…" Mark called out in a sleepy tone. He had just woken up from sleep but he didn't find his wife beside him.

It was 2 am and she should be resting. The bedroom was eerily silent and Mark was starting to get worried.

"Honey, are you there?" He called out as he sat upright on the bed. Looking toward the bathroom door, it was dark but he could see light leaking out of the bathroom.

Seeing that she might be in the bathroom, Mark decided to rest his back on the headboard of the bed. But then after ten minutes, his wife still wasn't out and he was overly worried.

Standing up to his feet, Mark walked silently but quickly toward the bathroom.

"Michelle…" He called out as soon as he got into his bathroom. To his expectation, he saw his wife standing before the mirror.

"Are you okay?" He asked, it was unusual for her to be that way. Though they had not been married for a long time, he was familiar with his wife's habits.

They had known each other since they were kids, he loved and cherished everything about her. Also, she was from a very wealthy family but then it didn't stop Michelle from loving him.

Michelle was still standing still even when she heard his words.

However, that didn't push Mark away. He then walked closer to her and hugged her from behind, his hands wrapped tightly around her waist. His action gave her the emotional security she needed and she turned around, still in his arms.

"What's wrong?" Mark whispered, in her ears.

"It's nothing…" Michelle answered finally and then sighed.

"You know you can't lie to me, babe," Mark said and then placed soft kisses on her cheek. He knew just what to do, to make her talk.

His kisses traveled toward her luscious lips and Michelle welcomed him.

With her arms around his neck, she kissed him back with as much intensity as he gave.

On the other hand, Mark's fingers found their way into her hair while his other hand rested on her slim waist.

With their lips entangled, he caught her bottom lip in his and sucked on it lightly.

"I love you…" He said in between kisses and Michelle's heartbeat sped up. She loved him dearly and she just professed her love with the increasing intensity of her kisses.

A few minutes later, Mark broke the kiss and they painted for air. Michelle's lips were swollen and enticing to Mark. He wanted to catch those lips in between his and suck on them non-stop.

However, he knew he had to find out what was wrong with his wife.

On the other hand, Michelle had her head resting on Mark's chest. She could hear the sounds of his heartbeat. Her heart warmed knowing, his heart sped just for her alone.

Though Mark was poor, it didn't hinder her love for him.

"Babe, can we go to sleep?" Michelle asked, looking up at him.

"Sure," Mark answered. However, he didn't lead her out of the bathroom. He suddenly carried her princess-style and Michelle yelped in surprise.

"Put me down…" She said and smacked his shoulder playfully. However, she loved the way he would always show her love.

"Nope, just stay in my arms. You're cuddly." Mark said while showing off a toothy grin.

Soon they were back in the bedroom and he placed Michelle in the middle of the bed.

"Do you need anything?" Mark asked as he lay beside her.

However, Michelle shook her head and then said, "I just want you close to me."

Saying that she snuggled closer to his body and inhaled his manly scent. He was intoxicating her and she liked it.

"Do you mind telling me what you were thinking about?" He asked as he wrapped a hand around her waist.

They were entangled on the bed and it was the warmest embrace they craved in their lives.

Michelle's eyes turned hazy at his question. She was disturbed by Mark's unsuitable situation but she didn't know how to put it to him.

She didn't want him to be offended. Though she knew he was an understanding person, it would still affect his emotions.

"Uhmm, you need a job, Mark." She began and she felt Mark still in her arms.

"Mark, don't be offended. You know I care about you a lot." Michelle said immediately after Mark stilled in her arms. She didn't want him to think she was looking down on him.

"No, babe, I'm not offended. I understand how you feel." Mark said, breaking away from their embrace. He placed a soft kiss on her lips, to reassure her.

"You know I have been trying to get one but it just never comes through." Mark continued, in an overly worried tone.

He was poor but he tried his best to provide little things for his wife. He would show her love in the little ways that he could.

"Did you ever think you didn't apply in the right places?" Michelle asked, in a low tone. She was driving at something but Mark didn't understand what she meant.

"What do you mean? I have applied to most financial firms in the city but I just didn't get any feedback. It's weird, don't you think? He asked.

"What do you mean it's weird? Maybe they just didn't need your services." Michelle replied but Mark shook his head.

"No, they wouldn't put up a job post if they didn't need the services of a financer." He explained and Michelle nodded her head, understanding.

"I don't know what to do next." He said truthfully. Though he had business ideas swarming in his head. He had sent proposals to different companies but they just seem to shut him out.

What was going on?

"I have a suggestion," Michelle said suddenly and he looked at her in expectation. He would seriously consider her suggestion and if it was suitable for him, he would do it.

"My family has a large firm and you know that. Why don't you ask my mum for help? She might be able to help." Michelle said and Mark was a bit perplexed at her words.

"I-i don't think that's a good idea," Mark replied immediately, frowning slightly. He wasn't on good terms with Michelle's family and it would be a stretch if he asked them for a job. It was something he knew about.

"But then we have no other choice. If you don't get a job, mum is planning to marry me off to an old man with old money." Michelle dropped the bombshell and Mark's mouth fell open in disbelief.

"No, I won't let you go." He declared, exasperatedly. He was starting to feel helpless.

"No one will take you away from me…" Michelle assured me, but her voice was a bit shaky. She knew how hard it was going to be for them and their marriage if things didn't work out.

"Go to sleep. You have a long day tomorrow." Mark said, patting her back.

In a few minutes, Michelle was already fast asleep while Mark was still wide awake.

His wife's words were still ringing in his head. How could she get married off to an old man? It would be a shame if he let that happen.

This was what Mark thought, however, he was powerless and helpless.

Laying on the bed for hours until dawn, he didn't get a wink of sleep. He was concerned about what Michelle had told him.

His determination to do more and protect what he had with Michelle became stronger.

"I'll never let you go." He whispered and declared to Michelle's ears, who was still fast asleep.

He chanted those words inwardly as he got up and dressed up for the day.

An hour passed, and Mark was dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants, with black polished shoes.

He looked graceful as he walked out of the closet.

Casting one last glance at Michelle, he walked out of the door.

An hour passed again, and Michelle opened her eyes slowly. She half expected Mark to be out of bed and he was.

"Babe…" She called out to him but received no response. He didn't tell her he was stepping out so early in the morning.

Standing up from the bed, she walked toward the bathroom. It was like Michelle was repeating what had happened earlier. It was just that Mark turned out to not be in the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Michelle concluded that Mark was out of the house and she proceeded to do her morning routine.

Her mood was incredibly low as she stood before the mirror in the bathroom. Going through her things placed a few distances from the mirror, she found the pregnancy test kits she had used.

"Ahhh…" She gasped.

"How could I forget such a thing?" She said to herself, with a loud voice.

She was pregnant and she failed to tell Mark about it.