Chapter 1

My best friend Gracie Fuller was basically born single.

Her go-to line was, "Men are all the same, not worth my time. I'd never bother dating one."

But then one day, she leaned in, all mysterious, and told me that she was already two months pregnant.

Before I could even react, she messed up my hair while saying, "Get your mind out of the gutter. Of course, I did IVF. I'm not getting any younger. Men are optional, but a kid? That's a must."

After the baby was born, my husband Bruce Curry and I ended up as his godparents.

Gracie called me on video, cradling the baby, her happiness written all over her face, but with a hint of complaint.

"He's tiny, but man, can he make a fuss," she said.

She went on, "Seriously, it's not just my kid. Why am I the only one putting up with all this?"

At first, I didn't get what she meant.

But that night, I saw all the messages Gracie had sent Bruce on his phone, and a family photo of the three of them set as his chat background.

*****

After Bruce left, he'd forgotten his phone at home, and it kept ringing nonstop.

Worried it might be something important for work, I picked up.

A stranger's voice came through. "Mr. Curry, I've found a suitable baby nurse. When do you want her to start at Ms. Fuller's place?"

I froze for a second, confused.

"Baby nurse? What are you talking about?" I blurted out, totally confused.

But before I could get another word in, the caller hung up on me.

Once suspicion took root, it would just keep growing.

I kept guessing passwords until I finally got in.

Then I opened up Bruce's chat app and started scrolling through.

But nothing jumped out at me.

Before I could even catch my breath, message after message popped up.

The contact name was "Gracie Sweetheart."

[It's so crazy. Ever since you said you'd come over, the baby's been quiet all day. Do you think he knows his daddy is about to visit him?]

[You're not allowed to leave tonight. If you do, I'm giving you silent treatment, and I won't let our son ever call you "daddy" when he grows up.]

[Plus, I've got a little surprise waiting for you.]

Pictures started flooding in.

My hands were shaking as I tapped on them.

Steamy pictures and the face I knew all too well flashed across the screen.

And then I noticed their chat background.

It was a happy family photo. The three of them were all smiles.

My emotional walls came crashing down, and my eyes filled with tears.

It was just an hour ago that Gracie and I were on a video call, laughing together.

I never in my wildest dreams imagined that the man I loved most and the friend I trusted most would betray me like this, getting together behind my back.

I kept scrolling up, like I was punishing myself.

They talked about the baby, her pregnancy, and all sorts of dirty things.

Then I heard a few voice messages, and I stopped scrolling.

Gracie's voice choked up, sounding all pitiful.

She said, "What am I supposed to do, Bruce? My period's been missing for two months. I took a test today, and I'm pregnant."

"I'm so scared right now. I have no idea what to do."

After a brief silence, Bruce replied, "Let's keep the baby. I'll handle everything. But don't let Danielle know. She'd be upset."

Gracie replied, "I know. Can you come over tonight and stay with me?"

That day was Valentine's Day. I remembered we were having a candlelit dinner at a restaurant.

I noticed he seemed off.

I thought maybe something was up at work.

He came back to himself and gave me a gentle smile.

He explained, "Being with you just brings back all those happy memories from before."

I actually thought the forced smile was a sign he was happy to be with me.

His excuse was so lame, but I just smiled like a fool.

That night, he dropped me off at home and rushed off like he couldn't get away fast enough.

Back then, Bruce and I had only been married for two months.

I kept scrolling up, just making it hurt more.

Seeing how close they were in those chats, my eyes just kept filling with tears.

I needed to know when exactly they started hooking up behind my back.

When I finally scrolled all the way to the top, I clapped a hand over my mouth, desperate to keep myself from sobbing out loud.

Their messages were still up on the screen.

Gracie: [Bruce, I never thought you were secretly so wild. Just one touch, and you can't handle it. Does Danielle know you're like this?]

Bruce: [Last night was an accident. We both drank too much. Please don't tell Danielle. I don't want her to get hurt.]

That day was our second anniversary. Bruce and I had been together for exactly two years.

We had a party, and Gracie was there, too.

They secretly added each other on social media behind my back.

And they did things I didn't even want to imagine, all while I was totally clueless.

They really did keep me in the dark.

After that day, they just couldn't stop sneaking around behind my back.

So the baby wasn't from IVF at all.

He was Bruce's own son.