Chapter 3

The heavy stillness of the night was suddenly shattered by his phone, its sharp chime cutting through the quiet. It was Megan calling.

Her sweet, honeyed voice filtered through the speaker. "Edward, when are you coming home? I made your favorite food, and it's going to get cold soon."

Edward frowned, his tone sharp with irritation. "I'm not coming home tonight."

"Again?" Megan's tone turned bitter and sharp, laced with jealousy. "Are you running back to that washed-up wife of yours? She already had the triplets—why do you keep rushing to the hospital? Do I even matter to you at all?"

"She's no longer at the hospital," Edward said coldly.

"Then where are you going? Are you seeing another woman behind my back?" Her voice cracked, thick with unshed tears.

"I'm dealing with a crisis right now. Don't ask questions," Edward said flatly, then ended the call without hesitation.

He slouched back against the couch and squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to quiet the storm of chaotic thoughts swirling in his head. But Helen's cold, empty stare and his mother-in-law's furious accusations played on a relentless loop, impossible to ignore.

How had his marriage fallen apart like this? He felt completely lost.

Six years ago, when he and Helen had signed their marriage license and exchanged vows at their wedding, he'd loved her fiercely and sincerely.

Helen had been his college classmate—gentle, soft-spoken, poised and refined. She'd grown up in an affluent, respected family: her father a tenured university professor with a renowned academic reputation, her mother a chief attending physician at a top-tier city hospital.

Raised in such a stable, cultured household, Helen carried a quiet, effortless elegance in everything she did.

The first two years of their marriage had been nothing short of idyllic—sweet, peaceful, and full of simple joy. Back then, Edward was still building his business, working around the clock, constantly swamped with deadlines and meetings.

Helen had happily embraced the role of a homemaker, devoting herself entirely to supporting him. She cooked fresh meals daily, kept their home spotless and welcoming, and never once complained about the endless chores or financial pressures.

No matter how exhausted he was after a long day, Edward always came home to Helen's gentle smile and a full table of warm, home-cooked food.

But as his company expanded, Edward spent less and less time at home. Late-night business dinners, networking events, and corporate meetings took over his schedule. The time they spent together dwindled, and meaningful conversation between them slowly faded away.

Three years ago, he'd attended a high-end charity cocktail party. Amid soft music and mingling guests, he'd first met Megan.

She worked as a professional runway model—tall, statuesque, with striking, head-turning beauty that drew every eye in the room. She'd crossed toward him in sleek heels, a playful, teasing smile on her lips and a flirtatious glint in her eyes.

She'd handed him her contact card and purred softly, "Mr. Lane, I've heard so much about you. I'd love to discuss a potential collaboration sometime."

Edward's heart had skipped a beat at the sight of her striking beauty. After that night, they'd stayed in constant contact, texting and talking daily. Before he knew it, they'd grown far too close, crossing every line of marital fidelity without a second thought.

Edward had always known he was cheating, that he was betraying his wedding vows. Yet he'd become addicted to the thrill and attention, trapped in his own selfish choices, unable to break free no matter how hard he tried.

He tossed his phone aside and quickly grabbed his coat, ready to rush out. His mistress, Megan, noticed his urgency and instantly latched onto his arm, her eyes glistening with hurt and frustration.

"It's the middle of the night—where on earth are you rushing off to now?" Edward bit back his impatience and forced a strained explanation. "Helen's going into labor any minute. I need to get to the birthing center right away."

Tears welled in Megan's eyes, her voice rising sharply with raw resentment. "She has an entire medical team looking after her—doctors, nurses, the whole staff. She's not going to die without you there!

"Can't you just stay with me for once? I've been feeling miserable and run down all day."

Edward stared at her tearful, pleading expression, and his resolve wavered. After a long, tense pause, he sighed heavily. "Megan, don't make this harder than it has to be. This is a critical moment for her. I have to go."

But Megan refused to let go, her tone turning cold and ultimatum-like. "I'm not overreacting. What am I to you, really? If you walk out that front door right now, we're done. Don't you dare come back to my place again."

Defeated and drained, Edward finally caved. "Fine. I'll stay a little longer."

He ended up stuck in Megan's luxury apartment for another two hours. He waited until she was worn out from crying, her eyes heavy with exhaustion and her breathing slow and steady as she slept.

Once she was fully settled, he slipped quietly out of bed, closed the front door without a sound, and headed for his car to drive across the city.

By the time he reached the upscale private birthing center, it was nearly two in the morning. The facility remained brightly lit even in the dead of night, its sterile overhead lights sharp and unforgiving.

Helen was in active labor inside the delivery suite, while Lucy and Mary paced anxiously back and forth in the quiet waiting hall outside.

Mary spotted him the second he stepped in, her face hardening with unmasked anger and disappointment. She marched straight over, her voice cold and cutting. "What took you so long? Do you have any idea what my daughter has been through these past hours?"

Edward offered an awkward, nervous smile, scrambling for an excuse. "Mary, I was tied up at an emergency business dinner last night. I couldn't slip away early—that's why I'm so late."

Mary let out a bitter, mocking scoff, every word dripping with scorn. "A business dinner, or another late night fooling around with that mistress of yours? You really think we don't know what you've been up to?

"Helen's in that room suffering through labor, and you're out wasting your time elsewhere. How could you be so cruel to her?"