Chapter 2
With my last hope shattered, I nodded in despair. "You're right. I was being childish. Just go."
Peter finally gave a rare smile and pressed me down onto the bed.
His breath, thick with the scent of alcohol, breathed warmly against my ear.
"Bella, the nutritionist says you're recovering really well. How about we make a baby tonight? I really want to raise our child together with you," he whispered.
Hearing that, I couldn't help but think how ironic that was.
Without betraying any emotion, I gently pushed him away, keeping my voice calm. "Another day. You've been drinking. It could affect the baby's health."
Peter knew how much I cared about such things, so he didn't doubt a word I said. He just brushed a soft kiss across my forehead, then turned over and drifted off to sleep.
While he was deep in sleep, I picked up his jacket.
I had no idea Peter even had a second phone.
The lock screen wallpaper was a photo of him and Mandy Walker kissing.
As expected, the password was her birthday.
I opened up their chat, and the first thing I saw was photos of my five dead children.
Peter: [Mandy, I've got the specimen ready for you. I'll send it over by helicopter this afternoon. Super fresh, so it won't ruin your research results.]
Peter: [Already went through the last one? No worries, Bella's pregnant again. I'll make sure she delivers early, so you'll have a brand new specimen soon. You really are such a diligent girl, Mandy. One day, you'll be a top-tier doctor.]
Peter: [Mandy, when are you coming back? The position of my wife is still waiting for you. Bella's just a tool to satisfy my desires.]
My hands shook as I clutched my belly, bitter tears rolling down my cheeks.
This child shouldn't have come at all.
The photo album was filled with thousands of shots of Peter and Mandy together, from when they were just kids all the way up to now.
Every single photo had a love note written by Peter for Mandy. No two were the same.
Seven years of secret marriage, and most of that time, he was "on business trips." Now I knew he had been spending those days with Mandy.
In his saved messages, there were more than a hundred different wedding plans. Every last detail, no matter how minor, had been carefully crafted by Peter himself.
Each plan was over-the-top lavish, just waiting for Mandy to pick the one she liked best.
For every festival and holiday, Peter prepared exquisite, expensive gifts for Mandy.
No matter how packed his schedule was, he'd cross oceans just to deliver them to her in person.
And as for me? All I ever received were the worthless freebies that came along with those presents.
I still remember the day we got our marriage certificate. He didn't even bring me flowers.
That evening, while we were walking past a flower shop, he noticed the longing in my eyes and said casually, "This stuff is just for little girls, Bella. You're not some naive kid, are you?"
But for Mandy, he went all out. He bought an entire manor overseas, planting a sea of rare flowers for Mandy.
Watching them kiss in that endless sea of blossoms, I couldn't help but laugh, even as tears spilled from my eyes.
After snapping pics of all the evidence, I dug out that phony marriage certificate.
Back then, Peter claimed he didn't want me to wear myself out, so he brought in someone to take care of the marriage formalities right at our place.
It turned out they were just hired actors he'd brought in.
I ripped that stupid certificate to shreds and tossed it in the trash.
Back on the bed, I found myself staring at Peter's perfect side profile. But that old feeling, that flutter in my heart, was completely gone.
The sadness was suffocating, and I didn't sleep a single moment that night.
*****
The next morning, as usual, Peter had the nutritionist prepare a luxurious breakfast for me. I used to feel genuinely moved by all his thoughtfulness and care.
But after what I saw in those photos last night, I know now it was all just empty gestures.
Every so-called healthy meal I had, Mandy had already tasted first. While mine was prepared by professionals, Mandy's was cooked by Peter himself, with extra care from him.
The thought made my stomach churn violently. I barely made it to the side before I doubled over, dry heaving uncontrollably.
Peter hurried over, helping me up. "Bella, are you okay?" he asked, worry in his voice.
He suddenly looked excited. "Wait, are you... pregnant again?"
I took in his expression and couldn't help but sneer in my heart.
What was he so thrilled about? Was he planning to offer this baby to his beloved Mandy again?
I replied, "No. You know my health's never been good. After giving birth to all those stillborn babies, I'm completely worn out inside. It's almost impossible for me to get pregnant again."
Peter spoke gently, trying to comfort me. "Bella, don't say that. It's not your fault, and I'd never blame you. Just take care of yourself, alright? We'll definitely have a healthy baby someday."
He added, "Come on, cheer up. It's my mom's sixtieth birthday today, and there'll be plenty of guests. We can't be absent. I'll take you to the hotel so we can join the festivities."
He hesitated, then added, "But our marriage is still secret. Even my mom doesn't know. If anyone asks about you…"
I knew what he was going to say, and cut him off softly. "I understand. I'll say I'm your assistant."
Peter chuckled, sounding satisfied. "I knew you were always so sensible, Bella."
As soon as we stepped into the hotel, I spotted Mandy snuggling up to my mother-in-law's arm, sweet-talking her, and playing the favorite.
She was all dolled up in a designer dress, showing off her charm as she pretended to check my mother-in-law's pulse. Grinning, she said my mother-in-law would live a long life.
My mother-in-law, Tara, was so tickled that she could barely contain her smile. She couldn't wait to take her jade bracelet off and hand it straight to Mandy.