Chapter 7
Charlotte's eyes, hollow and numb, barely showed any reaction.
She knew.
Michael thought the baby she was carrying was a bastard.
So that was it.
Sophie looked downright pleased with herself, straightening up like she owned the place, pride written all over her face.
Sophie said, "Charlotte, you have no clue how hyped Michael was when he found out you were pregnant. He didn't give a damn about me, just dropped everything and moved back in, bending over backwards to take care of you.
"But then he realized the dates didn't add up. He was staying at my place the whole time, never even set foot in yours. So where'd that baby come from, huh?"
She couldn't help but laugh out loud, cold and sharp.
Sophie spat, her words full of venom, "The kid he was dying for turned out to be a bastard. Of course he hates you for that.
"That's why he let me take my revenge on you. He was so worried someone might get in my way that he personally sent away every bodyguard and nanny around you, just so I could deal with that bastard in your belly for him."
Sophie's smile was cruel and triumphant.
She said, "All that caring, all that pretending to treat you like before was just a show. He wanted you to let your guard down, to give you hope, so he could destroy you completely in the end.
"He wanted you to feel the same gut-wrenching agony he did."
The hospital room was dead silent.
Charlotte clutched the sheets in a death grip, shaking so hard she could barely breathe.
Sophie stood up with a self-satisfied smirk.
"Charlotte, Michael said that once the divorce is final, he'll marry me right away. Make sure you show up and give us your blessings," Sophie sneered, her voice full of smug triumph.
Sophie strutted out, looking like she owned the place.
But Charlotte's emotions surged violently.
Four months ago, at a party, Charlotte ran into Michael.
It was the first time they'd seen each other since he moved out of the house they'd shared for ten years.
When Michael caught sight of her baby bump, he couldn't believe his eyes, yet there was a flicker of delight he couldn't quite hide.
"You're pregnant?" he asked.
"The baby isn't yours," Charlotte said, her voice cold and final.
Then she turned and walked away.
That very day, Michael came back.
He looked at her and said softly, "Whatever happened before, let's leave it in the past. From now on, I'll stay by your side, just you and the baby."
At that moment, he was so sure the baby was his.
He fussed over her meals, checked on her every time she felt the slightest discomfort, and everything he did was gentle and cautious, his eyes always full of hope for the little one she was carrying.
But then, out of nowhere, one day he looked at her with a mix of fury and utter despair.
But he didn't say a word.
He kept taking care of her like nothing had changed.
Charlotte just ignored him and let him do his thing.
This baby was hers.
It was her way of giving closure to the person she used to be.
Looking back now, maybe he'd already decided the baby wasn't his.
But he didn't say a word.
He never questioned her, just went out of his way to be even kinder.
He was so attentive that she nearly let her guard down.
But it turned out, it was all just an act.
He did it all just to hit her where it hurt the most.
After what felt like forever, a single, icy tear slowly slid down her temple, disappearing into her hair.
It hurt. It hurt so much.
He was so cruel.
Ten years by his side, and she gave him everything.
She risked it all for him, twice, putting her life on the line both times.
And in the end, he turned his back on her for another woman's child.
And over one suspicion, he could be that cruel, that calculating, and hate her that much.
The last bit of pathetic longing and doubt she had for the past, all that warmth she once held onto, vanished the moment she finally learned the truth.
Her eyes grew colder.
Charlotte whispered, "Since you hate me this much, then I'll just make you hate me more.
"Michael, I'll be waiting to watch you break."
Charlotte stayed in the hospital for another ten days.
Michael didn't show up once during that time.
The rare peace and quiet helped her find some much-needed peace of mind.