Chapter 3

3

John offered me a sliced apple, which I waved away. He looked bewildered.

After a moment, he asked tentatively, "Honey, did you answer my phone this morning?"

He waited anxiously for my reply, his unease growing with my silence. He asked again, "Did you hear anything?"

I turned my face away, feigning exhaustion. "No. Your phone was too far away. I knocked it on the floor trying to reach it."

John visibly relaxed, his usual cheerful demeanor returning as he tucked the blanket around me.

His voice was soft, almost pleading. "Honey, if… if something happens to our baby… would you consider adopting?"

He was already eager to fulfill his promise to Sarah.

I curved my lips into a sardonic smile. "Do you remember the vows we made when we got married?"

"You said if you ever betrayed me, you'd live with the guilt forever. You'd never find peace."

The irony was crushing. Vows, as beautiful as they were, could be as fleeting as shooting stars.

John stared at me, his eyes wide with panic, shaking his head vehemently. "Honey, I would never betray you! You have to believe me!"

I shrugged, turning my face into the pillow. "I'm tired."

I was tired of pretending. Tired of this charade of love.

The day before my due date, I went home.

John had insisted I stay at the hospital since I'd gotten pregnant, medical staff on call for any discomfort.

Now, there was nothing to worry about. Our baby would never be born.

The house was filled with baby supplies. I’d once believed they were tokens of John's excitement, preparations for our child. Now, I realized they were meant for Sarah's baby.

The computer was on. I glanced at the document on the screen. It was a legal declaration naming the heir to Lewis Enterprises. Further down, the mother's name: Sarah Peterson.

Our wedding photos adorned the walls, alongside snapshots from our dating days. Even the ceramic mugs we'd painted together in college were displayed prominently.

The memories, once cherished, now felt like shards of glass piercing my heart.

Did John still love me? I ran my fingers over his smiling face in our wedding photo.

We were the perfect couple, everyone said so. John spoiled me, making everyone envious.

I remembered the day I accepted his proposal. He’d held me, tears streaming down his face, vowing to love me forever, to never let me go.

I remembered the time he’d mistakenly slept in my bed after Sarah had a fever. He’d been furious, threatening to fire the housekeeper and her daughter.

I’d pleaded with him, reminding him of the housekeeper’s age and Sarah’s student status. I’d convinced him to let them stay.

Now, I realized my compassion had paved the way for my heartbreak.

The signs of John's infidelity had been there all along. He often went to Sarah’s room, claiming he was helping her with her homework. What homework did a college student need help with?

He’d given Sarah his heart, his affection, and now, he was giving her his fortune.

Eight years. What had they given me? Lies, deceit, and a heartbreaking betrayal.

The front door opened. John and Sarah stumbled in, locked in a passionate embrace.

I stood frozen, feeling like an intruder in my own home, watching them act like a lovestruck couple.

Sarah's moans filled the house. She tilted her head back, her voice breathless. "John, if we'd met sooner, would you have married me?"

John groaned, his voice a husky whisper. "Don't be ridiculous! If it weren't for Amy, I wouldn't even look at you!"

"But you still slept with me," Sarah retorted, her voice laced with a triumphant smirk. "You even said it was more exciting knowing Amy was home. You're such a liar."

Sarah's moans grew louder. I covered my ears, desperate to escape, but John's words cut through the silence, each one a dagger to my heart.

"I still love her," he admitted, his voice strained. "But eight years is a long time. A little excitement is only natural, right?"

So, that was his excuse. I let out a hollow laugh, the sound devoid of any humor.

The pain in my chest intensified, spreading through my body. A sharp, agonizing cramp ripped through my abdomen.

I doubled over, collapsing to the floor with a thud. The sound startled John.

He rushed towards me, his clothes askew, his eyes wide with panic as he scooped me into his arms.

In the car, he clutched my hand, his body trembling with fear. His concern was genuine, but so were the marks on his chest.

"Honey, just wait until after the baby is born. I'll explain everything then…"

A single tear escaped my eye. I turned my face away, a bitter smile twisting my lips.

In the operating room, Dr. Miller prepared the injection. "This will induce a temporary coma-like state for about a day. Are you ready?"

I nodded, my face ashen. "Dr. Miller, the consent forms… please replace them with the divorce papers."

"Alright."

The needle pierced my skin, numbness spreading through my veins. I closed my eyes, welcoming the darkness.