Chapter 1

1

I was sitting in the hospital waiting for my prenatal checkup when I noticed the woman next to me. Her husband was Caleb Hawthorn, a well-known tech entrepreneur.

What a coincidence. My husband was also Caleb Hawthorn.

As we chatted, she mentioned her husband was away at a conference and couldn't be there for her.

It got even weirder. My husband was also out of town for a business meeting.

After a long silence, I didn't go in for my checkup. Instead, I turned around and chose to end the pregnancy.

It wasn't until I brought up the divorce later that I realized the truth. He had never actually signed a marriage license with me.

…

"I'm so sorry, babe. Don't be mad. I'll bring you back a special gift," I read the text on my phone and sighed deeply.

It took five years of marriage for Caleb and me to finally conceive. Today was my first official ultrasound, but he was stuck on a business trip and couldn't make it back.

Watching the other pregnant women being pampered by their husbands in the hallway, I couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness.

"Are you here alone too?" the woman sitting next to me suddenly asked.

Before I could answer, she continued, "My husband is away on business. He couldn't make it back in time, but he promised to get me a Birkin bag to make it up to me."

She tucked her long hair behind her ear, revealing her profile. Although she was complaining, her face was glowing with happiness.

She kept talking about how wonderful her husband was. I just listened quietly, not wanting to interrupt.

But when she mentioned her husband was Caleb Hawthorn, the CEO of Hawthorn Biotech, I froze.

My husband was also the CEO of Hawthorn Biotech. His name was Caleb Hawthorn.

A sense of dread washed over me. I asked tentatively, "When did your husband… leave for his trip?"

"On the eighth. He went to Maui. He wanted me to go with him, but I'm too far along to fly now," she said.

The woman kept talking, but my ears started ringing. I couldn't hear a word she said after that.

Caleb had also left for Maui on the eighth. Was it possible we were married to the same man?

I forced myself to stay calm and squeezed out a smile. "Do you mind if I see a photo of him?"

She looked confused by the request but pulled out her phone with pride. "This was taken on our sixth wedding anniversary."

Sixth anniversary? I had only been married to Caleb for five years. Was I actually the other woman?

In the photo, Caleb was smiling slightly, standing behind her and pulling her into his arms. I scrolled through more photos. There were shots of them together and even photos with his parents.

"And this one is from our trip to the ranch," she added. My blood ran cold, and I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

"I don't feel well… I have to go," I stammered. I pushed her phone away, my eyes stinging with tears.

I stood up to leave, but then her phone rang with a video call. The name "Hubby" flashed on the screen.

She picked up, and a familiar voice boomed out. "Hey, honey! Is the checkup done? How's the baby? Is our little one growing strong?"

Caleb's face appeared on the screen. He had that same tender look in his eyes that I knew so well.

We had been married for five years, yet here he was, calling someone else his wife.

I felt like I was about to break. My entire life felt like a cruel joke.