Chapter 1

I found out that both I and his childhood friend were expecting at the same time.

To protect Ana’s reputation, rumors spread that her child was fathered by my husband, while mine was said to be the result of a reckless affair.

When I confronted him in anguish and demanded answers, he simply replied, "Ana’s family has always been strict with her. She can’t handle the gossip."

That day, as I looked at the man I had loved for seven years, I realized I couldn’t continue loving him.

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When I learned that Wilson planned to take Ana overseas to "deal with" the pregnancy in three days, I called my mother, Aura.

"Mom, I want a divorce."

Aura sighed over the phone, "Sweetheart, Wilson owes you an apology."

Since Wilson publicly claimed that my child was illegitimate, we had the most intense argument we’d ever had. But when he discovered I intended to terminate the pregnancy, he confined me to the estate. Even a routine prenatal check-up required an entourage of bodyguards.

He insisted, "This is our child; you can’t give him up."

So he admitted the child was his. Yet a single deceitful statement from him had the power to destroy my life and our child’s future. Even though he knew our child was his, Ana’s baby was the one fathered by an unknown man.

As I gently rubbed my swollen belly, I realized this was my last chance. Though reluctant to let go of the child inside me, I couldn’t bear the thought of him being born into a world where he’d face unwarranted shame.

Perhaps sensing the warmth of my touch, the baby moved. It felt as if he understood my sorrow and was trying to comfort me. Tears streamed down my face. Pulling my hand away, I covered my face and cried bitterly.

"I’m sorry, my child, for being so heartless," I whispered.

Once I regained my composure, the estate door opened, and Wilson entered. Seeing my tear-streaked face, he said, "For the sake of our child, you should take care of yourself and not cry so much."

It was easy for him to say. If I could control my emotions, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with him in the first place. I knew his heart always held a place for Ana. I knew he didn’t truly love me. The man I loved so deeply was the one hurting me the most.

"You’ve wronged me so many times, trapping me and taking away my freedom. Do I not even have the right to cry?"

He looked at me, his eyes slightly red, a hint of guilt in them, yet he couldn’t say a word. It reminded me of when I first suspected I was pregnant months ago. At the hospital, I unexpectedly saw him with Ana for her appointment. He was attentive, ensuring she was safe.

"Wilson, feel the baby moving," Ana said, her eyes bright. Wilson’s expression softened as he let Ana guide his hand to her flat stomach.

Then he looked up and noticed me standing at the corner. No words, just shock.

They were a picture-perfect couple. Had I not been Wilson’s wife, I’d have genuinely envied them. Sadly, I couldn’t, and he couldn’t afford it.

Wilson stood silently for a moment, then seemed to remember something. "Tomorrow’s your birthday. I’ll throw you a party. Oh, and Mom mentioned she’s coming back to take care of you. With her here, I’ll feel more at ease."

He had every reason to be at ease. He could go abroad with Ana, free from returning for months. But he didn’t know why his parents, who had been living comfortably abroad, suddenly decided to return. Nor was he aware that they knew about the awful things he had done. I let out a cold laugh and didn’t oppose him. I had begged his mother to return because I realized, in my current situation, escaping Wilson’s control on my own was impossible.

Seeing I didn’t reply, he crouched down, looking at me with feigned sincerity. "Alessandra, I love you. Once Ana has her baby, I promise to come back to you."

To me, those words meant nothing. Even if he meant them now, one word from Ana could make him break any promise without hesitation. I would never trust his words again.

Three days—that’s all it would take for him to rid himself of me completely and devote himself to being a father to Ana’s child.