Chapter Three

Disclaimer - This is got entertianment purposes only.

Rachel glanced at the calendar whilst pouring herself a coffee. It was the 23rd of January. She smiled.

Six months had passed by since she'd married the love of her life, Adam. Six blissful months. She and Adam had been nothing but happy. It was the kind of happiness you only read about in romance novels, the kind that you dreamed of as a child, but never came true. And yet, Rachel was living that fairytale, and she couldn't deny, she was loving every minute! It was everything she'd wanted and more. She was finally happy.

Adam treated her like a queen. Nothing was ever too much. He showered her with love and affection, with kisses and hugs, always reminding her how amazing he thought she was, and how much he loved her. He worshipped the ground she walked on.

The two of them were very much in love. She was his everything, and Adam was hers.

Despite the fact that they were both over the moon with one another, they were keeping secrets from each other. One less damaging than the other.

Rachel hadn't been feeling too well the last few weeks. She'd been suffering from extreme nausea, dizziness and fatigue. At times, it had been debilitating and she had, had to take some time off work. Adam had been concerned, it wasn't like Rachel to get sick. He'd tried to persuade her to go to the doctors, but she was stubborn and had refused.

Last week, however, things had taken a turn.

…

One week ago…

Her period had been due on the 15th, and it hadn't made an appearance. Rachel didn't think much of it. She'd been a couple of days late before.

Five days later, there was still no sign. She knew immediately something was wrong. She'd never been late like this before. Ever.

It was at that moment, as she sat at her desk, that everything started to make sense. The nausea, the dizziness, the fatigue. The absence of her period.

That evening, she stopped at the pharmacy to get a pregnancy test, hiding it in her bag so Adam wouldn't see it. She had to be sure before she got their hopes up.

The second they were home, Rachel excused herself by telling Adam she was going for a bath. She practically ran up the stairs, leaving Adam to cook dinner.

It was an agonising ten minutes. Following the instructions and waiting for the results.

She couldn't believe it when she turned the test over.

It was positive.

She was pregnant.

Immediately, she'd wanted to tell Adam the news. She was so excited! They both wanted children, and this was their chance.

But, it was early days. She didn't know how far along she was, but it could only have been four, maybe five weeks. Anything could go wrong. She didn't want to get Adam's hopes up, just in case. She knew he'd be over the moon when he found out, but for now she was going to keep it quiet.

Adam's secret was far more damaging than Rachel's. It had the potential to destroy their entire relationship and marriage. He could lose Rachel in an instant if she found out. It would break her heart. The thought of hurting her made him feel sick. He hated keeping secrets from her, he hated lying to her, even if it was to protect her.

Adam's secret, was Ruby.

From the day he'd arrived at Waterloo Road, Ruby had been hot on his heels. She'd followed him around the school like a lost puppy. It had driven Rachel mad at the time, but she knew it was harmless. Adam didn't fancy her. They would sort it out between them, and it seemed the six week's holidays had done just that.

What Rachel didn't know, was that Ruby was suffering from an addiction to diazepam. And Adam had been trying to help her. But the more he'd tried, the deeper she'd sucked him.

The final straw for Adam had come three weeks before Rachel and Adam had got married. Adam had agreed to help Ruby move into her new flat. Rachel had been reluctant to let him, but knew deep down that he just wanted to help. He was caring and would do anything for anyone, it was one of the many things she loved about him.

So, after moving all the boxes into Ruby's new flat, and fetching her some food shopping, Ruby had tried to kiss him. Adam had pushed her away immediately, dashing out of the flat. Ruby had been incredibly embarrassed, but was grateful he hadn't said anything to Rachel.

But she hadn't left him alone. He loved her, she knew he did. They had chemistry, she'd felt it whenever he was around her. She was a better match for him than Rachel Mason would ever be.

She had ruined the wedding cake Adam had made, out of spite and jealousy. Adam had told her straight up that he didn't fancy her. But it didn't stop her.

She hassled him all through their honeymoon, texting him relentlessly, leaving threatening messages on his voicemail, until he blocked her number. After that, it stopped.

So far, now he had returned to work, Ruby had left him alone.

Adam hadn't told Rachel, out of fear of hurting her. Ruby had promised to sort herself out, to get the help she needed. He assumed she'd done just that, so they would say no more about it.

But she hadn't. He was about to learn that.

Tonight, Rachel was planning a romantic dinner. They were dining at an Italian restaurant, one of Adam's favourites and the one they had been to, to celebrate their engagement. She was going to tell him about the baby. She'd wanted to wait longer, but she couldn't keep it a secret!

"Are you ready to go?" She asked, approaching Adam in the living room

Adam smiled with a nod, standing up from the sofa. He grabbed his bag, not taking his eyes off Rachel.

There was something about his wife today. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. She had a radiant smile on her face that was contagious. Her skin was glowing. She looked more stunning than usual, if that was even possible.

She caught him staring.

"What's wrong with you?" She frowned with a giggle

"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?" He asked, smiling

Rachel blushed, her heart fluttering as he leaned in to kiss her.

"Come on, Mr Fleet. We're going to be late" she whispered, dragging him out the door and into the car

Meanwhile, Ruby was rifling through the drawers of the school kitchen. She'd run out of diazepam. Adam had taken hers at the end of last term and had hidden them. She wanted them back. She needed them.

Finally she found them, buried in a drawer, next to a note. Curiosity got the better of her. She placed the tablets on the side, taking the note out the drawer.

"Adam,

I love you. Always and forever.

Rachel xx"

Jealousy and rage rushed through her as she stared at the piece of paper. She tore it up angrily.

What did he see in her?

Why did he love Rachel and not her?

She was furious. It was time to take action.

She searched through her bag, finding the bottle of vodka and grabbing some matches out of the drawer. A plan formed in her head. Now all she had to do was wait.

…

Rachel and Adam arrived in the car park.

"I'll see you later, ok?" Adam smiled, kissing her cheek

Rachel nodded

"Miss Mason, Miss Mason!"

Rachel and Adam turned to see Rose Kelly running toward them, a look of panic on her face.

"Rose? What's the matter?" Rachel frowned

"It's Ruby, come quickly! She's in the kitchen!" Rose explained hurriedly

Rachel ran after Rose. Adam's heart was beating at a million miles an hour as he ran after Rachel. If anything happened to her because of Ruby, he'd never forgive himself.

Rachel crashed through the back door of the kitchen, her breath hitching in her throat when she saw Ruby stood next to the lit up gas hob. There was a manic look in Ruby's eye that unsettled Rachel. She sighed painfully when she saw the diazepam bottle in the corner.

"Ruby? What are you doing?" She asked calmly

13m ago"Teaching you a lesson!" She cried, pointing the alcohol bottle closer to the fire

Rachel frowned. She didn't understand.

"Ruby, you're not making any sense" she sighed

Adam pushed passed Rachel, standing in front of her protectively.

"Ruby! Stop this now!" Adam demanded

"Rach, go, I'll sort this" he instructed

"No, I'm staying" she insisted

"Ruby, look, just- put the vodka down, and we can talk about this, ok?" Rachel reasoned

"Talk about what? The fact that he chose you over me?! That he kissed me and then left me for you!" Ruby spat, pointing to Adam

"Ruby! I didn't kiss you!" Adam shot back angrily

Rachel turned to look at him. A few months ago, she would have doubted him and run for the hills. But not now, she believed him. He'd proved to her over and over again that he loved her, that he'd do anything for her. This was Ruby, trying to cause trouble.

"Ruby, you have to stop, this! You need help!" Rachel sighed

"No I don't! I'm fine!" Ruby growled

"Ruby! Look at yourself! You're holding alcohol over a n* flame! Your students are failing their classes. You're accusing Adam of kissing you and cheating on me!" She argued

"So what?" Ruby murmured

"It's not good enough, ruby! You're a mess!" Rachel screamed

"Well, look at you, Mrs Fleet! Strutting round all high and mighty with your new husband! You think you're so perfect don't you? Well guess what? The person who ruined your precious wedding cake? That was me! The threatening text messages Adam received on your honeymoon? That was me! It was all me!" Ruby sneered

Rachel stared at her. Suddenly it all made sense. Confusion turned into anger.

"Why, Ruby? Why do all this? I've done nothing to you! Neither has Adam!" She said through gritted teeth

"YOU TOOK HIM FROM ME!!!" Ruby screamed

Her hand flew across Rachel's face, landing on her cheek.

Rachel stumbled, Adam catching her in his arms. She glared at Ruby, holding her cheek which was throbbing and burning with pain. Ruby showed no remorse, looking at the couple with disdain.

Adam moved forward so he was face to face with Ruby.

"Ruby, that's enough! How many times do I have to tell you! I love Rachel, I never loved you. I never will! You kissed me, remember? I only ever saw you as a friend, I was only trying to be a friend! I never should've lied for you!" He said firmly

Ruby glared at him, watching as he turned back to Rachel.

"What she said is true. She did ruin our wedding cake, and she sent me the text messages. I covered for her out of… pity I guess. She needs help, Rach. I never, ever kissed her, I swear. I don't love Ruby, I never have. I love you" Adam admitted

Rachel smiled at him, caressing his cheek with her hand. She believed him.

"You're lying!" Ruby hissed, silencing Rachel before she could even speak

"I'm not, Ruby. You know I'm not" Adam replied calmly

Ruby rolled her eyes

"You need to leave, Ruby. Now" Adam ordered

Ruby shook her head, tears forming in her deranged eyes. She was angry, heartbroken.

In the canteen, an audience had gathered of students and staff. Kim, Lorna and Steph appeared, ushering everyone out into the playground.

"Ruby, put the alcohol down and come up to my office. We can talk about all of this properly" Rachel reasoned, reaching for the bottle in Ruby's hand

Ruby snatched it out of her reach, screaming in her face.

"Rachel, go. Let me handle this" Adam pleaded

"No, Adam. She needs help, I'm staying"Rachel argued

"Ruby, come on. Let us help you. Please? You're not in trouble, ok? We're not angry, we just want to help" Rachel pleaded

"Get away from me!" Ruby screamed, pointing the bottle dangerously close to the fire

"Ruby, I'm your friend. Let me help you" Rachel sighed

Ruby cackled loudly

"Friend? Oh, please! You've had it in for me since the day I arrived! You take the man I love from me, my job, everything! YOU B*!"

Adam lunged for her, but it was too late, the bottle ripped onto the hob.

There was a huge bang. Rachel and Adam were thrown backwards into the playground outside, landing in glass and debris.

For a moment, there was no sound. Rachel couldn't move, but she could see everything. Staff and students were bustling around her, hands over their mouths. They were staring in horror, but not at her, at something next to her. She didn't dare turn her head.

Her hearing eventually returned and she immediately wished she hadn't. Everyone was screaming and gasping. She couldn't stand it. She turned her head, her eyes widening in panic at the sight before her. Her world came crashing down around her in an instant, and suddenly, she was screaming too.

Adam lay on the ground in a pool of blood, his eyes staring wide open at the sky above.

"Call an Ambulance!" Steph barked at Tom

Rachel sat up, kneeling beside Adam immediately. She shook him gently, hoping she'd been mistaken.

"Please wake up" she begged

He lay there, motionless. Rachel sobbed, burying her head in his chest.

"You can't leave me, Adam, please!" She cried, tears running down her face

Her heart shattered into a thousand pieces as she continued to stare at him. She couldn't stop the guttural scream that escaped from her throat as she curled up into a ball next to Adam on the floor. In that moment, she wanted to die too.

Kim pulled her to her feet as she continued to scream and sob.

"Let's get you out of here, yeah?" Kim whispered tearfully

Rachel didn't fight her as she dragged her away to an ambulance, leaving Adam on the ground

A/N This is a collaboration with the Amazing RachelMasonForever. If you haven't checked out her wonderful stories. Please do. Reviews are appropriate. Thanks for reading.